WITH Christmas in mind, author Jeremy Archer has written a fascinating book, capturing the thoughts and feelings of soldiers who were separated from loved ones at Christmas. In Home for Christmas, he delves back over more than 200 years, bringing together the (uncensored) thoughts and feelings of ordinary servicemen and women - from the Crimea to Iraq. Their words are placed alongside the official comments on the situation from generals, politicians or ‘spin’ doctors. The book describes how, even in the most dire circumstances, the soldiers would still find a way to celebrate Christmas. Their recollections are a remarkable tribute to the resilience of the human spirit. The book has another purpose. For each copy ordered through the Army Benevolent Fund (see details below) £3.50 will be donated to the fund. Sir Max Hastings: “Jeremy Archer has assembled a wonderfully vivid and moving collection of wartime Christmas stories, which bring alive the loneliness of conflict for soldiers far from home.” Richard Holmes: “A wonderful Santa’s sack of personal accounts - this is beyond question, my Christmas book.” To order your copy, telephone 01372 844670, lines open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm or to order online, please visit www.armybenfund.org  Home for Christmas is available for the special price of £10 (not inc p&p).

Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd