Commando: The Inside Story of Britain’s Royal Marines by Monty Halls
The first words of chapter one pretty much sum up what sets a Royal Marine apart: “99% need not apply.” Monty then adds, “This was an ill-judged, but statistically accurate, slogan for a 1990s Royal Marines recruiting campaign.” We’re talking an elite force here and South Devon based Monty, also a former Royal Marine officer who served for over a decade, is superbly placed to shine a light on the workings of a military unit that is so often shrouded in mystery. I found Monty’s book incredibly informative. On the banks of the River Exe at Lympstone, the Commando Training Centre has its home and there he discusses the requisite qualities of new recruits with the Commanding Officer: “Excellence. Integrity. Self-discipline. Humility… Stick to those values … and you’ll make it.” Clearly robust Commando spirit is also required. In spades. An awesome read.

Arctic Star by Tom Palmer
In all the years I’ve been compiling Bookshelf pages, this is only the second book I’ve received that deals with the Arctic Convoys. Described by Sir Winston Churchill as “the worst journey in the world”, millions of tons of supplies were transported to Russia amidst attacks, from above and below turbulent seas, by the Luftwaffe and German U-Boats. Written for children age eight and over, Tom’s book, packed with vivid imagery, is an excellent introduction to this history. Three new naval recruits, Frank, Joseph and Stephen, had been friends all their lives in Plymouth. By 1943 they were serving onboard HMS Forgetmenot as part of a fleet carrying aircraft, tanks, fuel and ammunition to the port of Murmansk. The boys chiselled away chunks of ice to stop the ship capsizing, as they watched out for the enemy. It’s a truly gripping adventure presented as an accessible story about a little known aspect of WWII.

It’ll All Be Over By Christmas by John Wilton
As a teenager, fascinated by collecting things, I once had a box of old wartime postcards including exquisite silk designs, hand-embroidered in colourful thread with love, and mounted as greetings cards. John devotes a chapter to what was a cottage industry, run mainly by women, in northern France from 1915. For me it was like touching history and this new book is a poignant reminder of what the troops endured and how they kept contact with home.
There’s one depicting a meal being prepared for soldiers in Aubervilliers. The transcript shows it was sent in February 1915 to Phyllis Howes in Devonport. Given censorship, the news was limited, if not stilted. The words on another card were, ‘Somewhere in France with love to Harry xxxx From Daddy?’ In the month of Remembrance, John offers a profound insight into the experience of warfare. It’s moving, sometimes amusing, shocking and unashamedly sentimental.

National Trust Favourite Recipes Edited & compiled by Maggie Ramsay
I’m a great fan of Devon’s National Trust cafés. From afternoon tea at A La Ronde overlooking the River Exe, to lunch at Parke near Bovey Tracey, visits are always uplifting, ideally topped off with seasonal, sustainable, joyful food prepared with love. It’s that time of year when we need meals and snacks to be wholesome and smell delicious. There are additions to classics, such as serving onion soup with toasted cheese scones, or adding pistou oil and croutons to a classic tomato-based recipe (always worth keeping a bag of bread cubes in the freezer ready for frying in olive oil). And if anyone is feeling in need of a tummy cuddle, have a look at the mushroom suet pudding. For immediate satisfaction, try the French bistro favourite of Croque Monsieur – a cheese and ham toastie topped with white sauce. For a veggie version swap the ham for sun-dried tomatoes.

Annette Shaw is a freelance journalist with 30 years of experience, and has a regular column in Devon Life, sharing her pick of brilliant books with Devon connections. With her reputation for championing books and authors around the county, we’re delighted to have the opportunity to showcase her reviews here.