Escaped Scot, Makes The News....

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-65962133

[Peter Pedant]

another story for you Jourdain
Police dog Joe sniffing out EOKA terrorists !

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/7402043

yup a URL from yesteryear 1956 from the fella ( er me) that retro calls full of bovine poo. I am severely underappreciated, I blush un-noticed

[DTCwordfan]

'How Far is it to the Galapagos Islands?'

'Does Queen Camilla have any lettuce in her handbag?'

[retrocop]

//I love that story of your dad's, Retro - in fact it's just given me an idea for a story for my 'Laking Tyke' children's stories. Well done Dad & dog//
Hi Jourdain, Having dug out my dad's scrap book and draft copy of his memoirs today I have decided to seek a publisher for his book. He served 31 years and most with his dog Joe. It was written ( the draft) by a professional BBC producer called Richard Afton. Dad had to request permission from the Commissioner of Police at the time to publish the book but it was refused because it mentioned serving officers at the time. He was allowed to publish it when he retired. After his retirement I think he lost heart after searching for some publishers who were not interested. the dog was remarkable and was known throughout the UK press, especially his service with the 45 Marine Commandos in Cyprus during the EOKA crisis. My father had a great story to tell ,often amusing and some tragic but was much admired and loved by his comrades and his dog was a legend.

[ToraToraTora]

I'll buy it retro, post the amazon link. You can self publish these days anyway. I already bought a book of poetry by one of the caretakers at work that he self published.

[ToraToraTora]

did you look at the pic in PPs link?

[jourdain2]

Retrocop -I've just started a course in digital tech. (I'm lousy at it) with a view to learning enough as to how to publish my own (unless you are famous/notorious/already established you can forget editors seizing on your stuff). My son-in-law has published some of my stories on Amazon to download to Kindle.
Now, if he can do that with his little finger and a few hours - surely I must be able to publish books. So can you.
It costs to get someone to do it for you, but it's another way..

[jourdain2]

^^^^ PS I'd also buy it. :)

[jourdain2]

PP - it's a good idea - but 'Laking Tyke' is written for 7/8 yr. olds and I know it works for them because I've tried it on at least half a dozen. I don't think they'll have heard of EOKA terrorists. It's one to tuck away and note down though - perhaps for an older audience in a forthcoming series. :)

[retrocop]

Will do some research tomorrow. Many thanks for your advice and encouragement. I reckon that my Dad would be very happy to see his story published.

[ToraToraTora]

retro, is that your dad in PP's link?

[wolf63]

Retro
Your surname is showing in the link you might want to remove it.

[retrocop]

TTT
Indeed it is. I can show many more press cuttings of their exploits in the 1950's. My father was a PC dog handler and was asked by his guvnor to 'volunteer' to help with the terrorist EOKA situation in Cyprus. Dad said 'No way Jose'. He was offered promotion to Police Sergeant so he weighed up the pension payments on retirement and agreed. He was promoted to Sergeant and was temporarily assigned to the Colonial Police Force. Having flown to Cyprus he was reassigned to the Cyprus Police Force ( still have his cap badge). The Royal Marines, having heard of Joes tracking skills 'commandeered him to their 45 Marine commando where they were based in the Troodos mountains. I can show you cuttings of his tracking skills in finding arms caches and my Dad leading RM patrols. One of Joe's 'failures' in tracking occurred when a Cypriot farmer complained some of his chickens disappeared and pointed the blame at a Group of Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders who were operating in the area.
Joe and my Dad were tasked to investigate this heinous crime but with best endeavours poor old Joe's reputation failed on this one occasion. Later that week they were the toast of the Argyles mess and Joe was allowed a bit of chicken without bones of course. :-)

[retrocop]

//Retro
Your surname is showing in the link you might want to remove it.//
Thanks Wolf. I certainly have nothing to be ashamed of or hide but thanks in any case.

[retrocop]

TTT
Forgot to mention. When the old man was offered promotion if he volunteered to put his life on the line they took his rank away when he returned from Cyprus. He was quite bitter about that. Never Volunteer! and beware of Greeks bearing Gifts.

[ToraToraTora]

Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes - indeed retro, I envy you your dad, mine was a complete rissole.

[Peter Pedant]

damn....
I was gonna say your late Dad had a really good writing style ( having read all my father's friends' printed POW memoirs)

but didnt, because it sounded patronising

You can print it yourself, BUT then there is the problem of marketing.

[Hopkirk]

Please stop calling it a tortoise.
It identifies as a cat.