Airman Hamish Brown has endured a few hair-raising adventures during his life.
But as a man who clearly relishes a challenge, through his love of mountaineering, he has handled everything thrown at him, with good grace and now his astonishing tales during his time serving with the Royal Air Force, have been compiled in Airman Abroad, by Whittles Publishing.
Hamish served in the Canal Zone and East Africa at a time when Britain was losing its empire. His book draws on letters he wrote spelling out his vivid memories and experiences from the Canal Zone, Kenya during Mau Mau times, Cyprus and Jerusalem.
With real emotion, Hamish tells of his time encompassed conducting church services, being shipwrecked, numerous wildlife encounters and the formation of many life-long friendships.
As Hamish explains, the Canal Zone was no easy life and 50 years later, a medal was awarded when the Government was forced to admit it was deserved.
He paints a picture of the highs and lows of RAF life, a station being run down in Egypt, working in the oppressive heat and also being shot at!
He saw Windrush before it exploded and sank in the Mediterranean and all is revealed in this interesting book.
Hamish has included background histories of the events and politics of the time, which provides a fascinating account of the era.
With 70 black and white photographs and 240 pages of impressive reading, the book also has drawings, sketches and maps, to bring Hamish’s adventures to life.
It’s a switch from his usual books on mountaineering and outdoor travel. A familiar face in Scotland, Hamish regularly shares his knowledge of walks through magazines, the Press, radio scripts and illustrations.
His other great love is the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, where he spends much of his time mountaineering and has been a colourful subject for his writing.
For readers, who enjoy adventure, good writing and hearing some great tales, this book is a must.
Published: 31st March 2023
UK Price: £18.99
ISBN: 978-184995-540-9
Format: 240 x 170mm, Paperback
Pages: 256 pages. 70 b/w photos, 30 drawings/sketches, 2 maps
Airman Abroad
By Hamish Brown
Published by Whittles Publishing
For more information and order a copy of Airman Abroad, please visit: www.whittlespublishing.com.
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
Top image by ischeffler from Pixabay and book cover image courtesy of Whittles Publishing
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