Secret of the Dragon's Eye: Book One

By Derek Hart

Secret of the Dragon's Eye is a tale of fantasy for all ages, with a high-spirited dragon named Thaddeus Osbert and three adolescents who befriend him. Faced with danger and intrigue, the children band together with the dragon, to thwart a German top-secret mission, aimed at seizing the mystical and magical sword of King Arthur-Excalibur. By combining their wits, their courage, and their imagination, the children overcome many obstacles to forge friendships as solid as time itself. Yet there is a price to pay for their brave intervention against the forces of evil. Will they be willing to once again battle incredible odds to make amends? What sacrifices will be required to save their mythical, fire-breathing friend from his pre-ordained fate?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Feb 7, 2007
• ISBN: 9780595873081

Derek Hart

Derek Hart is the prolific author of 28 action and adventure novels, known for their historical accuracy, while still maintaining a high level of entertainment. Romance is also a vital part of Derek Hart's trademark style and his novels generally appeal to men and women alike. Mr. Hart authored Secret of the Dragon's Eye, his first novel aimed at all age groups, which met with instant success and outstanding reviews. The author has since followed with Secret of the Dragon's Breath, Secret of the Dragon's Claw, Secret of the Dragon's Scales and Secret of the Dragon's Teeth. The final volume of the 6-episode series, Secret of the Dragon's Wings, will be available in November of 2018. He has since started a new series, post-apocalyptic in nature, with Minerva's Shield and Nike's Chariot. The third installment, Apollo's Plague came out in November 2017. Abandoned was published in March 2018 and Game Over premiered in June 2018. List of published books: Secret of the Dragon’s Eye Secret of the Dragon’s Breath Secret of the Dragon’s Claw Secret of the Dragon’s Scales Secret of the Dragon’s Teeth Secret of the Dragon’s Wings Claws of the Raven Danger Cruise Favor for FDR Crooked Cross Factor Tracks of the Predator For Love or Honor Bound Tales of the Yellow Silk Element of Surprise Seas Aflame Ice Flotilla High Altitude Low Opening Tangles of Truth Shadows in Replay Flag of Her Choosing Tidal Trap Dangerous (Poetry) Executive Firepower The CARLA Conspiracy The Wreckchasers Minerva's Shield Nike's Chariot Apollo's Plague Abandoned Game Over Mercury's Wings Before the Dead Walked Books coming soon: The Samuel Clemens Affair Pearl and Topaz By the Moon Darkly Broadmoor Manor Neptune's Trident Operation Sovereign Primary Weapon Saturn's Fire Tails of Thaddeus Enchanted Mesa Eagle Blue Last Guidon Excess Baggage Container Carta Codex Shipwreckers Romeo Tango The 5x5 Gang Desert Salvage

Book preview

Secret of the

Dragon’s Eye

♦

Book One

A Novel

Derek Hart

iUniverse, Inc.

New York Lincoln Shanghai

Secret of the Dragon’s Eye Book One

Copyright © 2007 by Derek Hart

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

iUniverse

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Lincoln, NE 68512

www.iuniverse.com

1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

ISBN-13: 978-0-595-42967-7 (pbk)

ISBN-13: 978-0-595-87308-1 (ebk)

ISBN-10: 0-595-42967-X (pbk)

ISBN-10: 0-595-87308-1 (ebk)

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1

The End of Summer

2

Father’s Disappointing News

3

Emily

4

War Comes to Cornwall

5

War Comes to Cornwall

6

Thaddeus Osbert

7

Looe Pool

8

Destiny Calls

9

Legends Rewritten

10

Prime Minister

11

Continued Frustrations

12

A Dragon’s Tale

13

Darkest Conspiracy

14

Pinnacle

15

Double Cross

16

Careless Talk May Cost Lives

17

Flaming Sword

18

Complications

19

Strange Lights Over London

20

Spam, Spam, and more Spam

21

Dark of the Moon

22

A Dragon’s Rage

23

Unanswered Questions

24

Origins

25

The Secret of the Dragon’s Eye

26

Closing Chapter?

Epilogue

Historical Notes

About the Author

Preview

Secret of the Dragon’s Breath

This book is dedicated to Ian Lenthait.

May his love foi dragons never fade! Let this book serve as a constant iemindei of his youth, so that Ian will always retain his spirit of adventure, his joy of reading, and the thrill of discovery. Here’s to the imagination, creativity, and innocent fantasies that can only be seen through a child’s eye.

Foreword

Secret of the Dragon’s Eye recounts the adventures of Gavin Kane, Emily Scott, and Bunty Digby, twelve-year-olds who struggle with their daily lives in England during the autumn of 1940. While relatively safe on the north Cornish coast, their world is still turned upside down by war, as the Germans bomb London and the surrounding industrial cities. These friends must learn to cope with constant air-raid sirens, rationing, and the fear of impending invasion, while still going to school and trying to lead normal lives.

Secret of the Dragon’s Eye is also a tale of fantasy, with legends that come alive and a high-spirited dragon named Thaddeus Osbert, who is not your typical dragon in any sense of the word. Faced with danger and intrigue, the children band together with the dragon, to thwart a German top-secret mission, aimed at seizing the mystical and magical sword of King Arthur—Excalibur. By combining their wits, their courage, and their imagination, the children overcome many obstacles to forge friendships as solid as time itself. Yet there is a price to pay for their brave intervention against the forces of evil. Will they be willing to once again battle incredible odds to make amends? What sacrifices will be required to save their mythical, fire-breathing friend from his pre-ordained fate? Three adolescents must discover the answers to many difficult questions, all against the backdrop of World War Two.

Preface

Dragon’s Eyes

Have you seen the world

through eyes other than your own?

Have you felt life’s happiness

through my dragon’s eyes?

The view is splendid

the colors so bright.

Deepest black and brightest red

Wings are spread.

Of course he breathes fire

what else would you have him do?

My dragon has the right

to cook his food through and through.

Look to the skies at night

Do not be filled with fright

My dragon seeks knowledge

Fills my heart with delight.

Through his glowing eyes,

he seeks things delicious and delectable

Treasures scones and treats

Sugar makes my dragon sweet.

His King’s English is very proper

while living in a white cottage fair

Magic words bring forth his power

To see what no one else would dare.

My dragon is kind and just

He makes a difference in our lives.

Green vision and deepest roar

only add to his mystery.

The moon shares the sky

Dragons fly throughout the night

When morning breaks

I love them even more.

Scales reflect rainbows bright

Claws sharpest to defend

Wings lift into the air

With eyes to look into our souls.

By Ian Lenthart

(Used with Permission)

Acknowledgements

A very special thank you goes to Bert & Ruth Gliddon, of St. Gennys, Cornwall, England, who provided the author with incredible detail and their personal insights regarding life on the Cornish coast during World War Two.

To Ann Kenrick and Doreen Turner, also of Cornwall, who directed the author to make connection with the Gliddons, and provided moral support and inspiration.

To Mrs. McRoberts’ 4th Grade Class at Murdock Elementary School, Marietta, Georgia, for their inspiration and support. The students motivated the author to hurry up and finish writing this book, before they went off to middle school. I hope they are pleased with the results.

Finally, a warm salute goes to all children everywhere, of all ages, who never lost their faith in dragons.

Cover art by David M. Burke.

Introduction

The appearance of enemy bombers in the skies over London during the afternoon of September 7, 1940 heralded a tactical shift in Adolf Hitler’s attempt to subdue Great Britain during World War Two. During the previous two months, the German Luftwaffe had targeted RAF airfields and radar stations for destruction in preparation for the Nazi invasion of the island. With invasion plans put on hold and eventually scrapped, Hitler turned his attention to destroying London in an attempt to demoralize the population and force the British to come to terms. At around 4:00 PM on that September day, 348 German bombers escorted by 617 fighters blasted London until 6:00 PM. Two hours later, guided by the fires set by the first assault, a second group of raiders commenced another attack that lasted until 4:30 the following morning.

This was the beginning of the Blitz—a period of intense bombing of London and other English cities that continued until the following May. For the next consecutive 57 days, London was bombed either during the day or night. Fires consumed many portions of the city. Residents sought shelter wherever they could find it, many fleeing to the Underground stations that sheltered as many as 177,000 people during the night. In the worst single incident, 450 people were killed when a bomb destroyed a school being used as an air raid shelter. Londoners and the world were introduced to a new weapon of terror and destruction in the arsenal of twentieth century warfare. The Blitz unofficially ended on May 11, 1941, when Hitler called off the raids in order to move his bombers east in preparation for Germany’s invasion of Russia.

1

The End of Summer

Twelve-year-old Gavin Kane stood all alone on the sandy beach, near the coastal village of Crackington Haven, in North Cornwall, England. Frisky early-September winds played with his dark curly hair, while the boy cast stones far out to sea. Gavin always marveled at the towering cliffs, which dominated the cove. Behind him was Cornwall’s highest point, rather unimaginatively named High Cliff, as it reached 731 feet. When in one of his more adventurous moods, Gavin often walked the path to the top, taking in the spectacular views of Hartland Point and watching the wheeling birds glide below him. Today, however, the boy was patiently waiting for his best friend in the whole world, pretty Emily Scott, before the pair would scamper into town to purchase some candy with their special sweets ration tickets.

Emily, who had just celebrated her twelfth birthday the day before, actually lived in nearby Boscastle, which was twelve kilometers away by road, but much closer overland. The boy and girl had been good friends since they were toddlers and their parents harmlessly joked about the two of them getting married to each other one day. Fortunately, they were still young enough to prevent the possibility of a budding romance getting in the way of their rock-solid friendship. Inseparable they were and as such, were known as the local experts regarding all matters of the coastline.

Crackington Haven consisted of a public house, village shop, post office, petrol forecourt, and blacksmith, which were surrounded by houses and farms. A small row of cottages, with a pub at one end, made up the entire village. The term cottage usually meant a small, two-storied dwelling, often one of a row, attached to one another, while a one-storied smaller dwelling was known as a bungalow.

A stone’s throw away was St. Gennys, another quaint village, where the tiny church, with dramatic views of Lundy Island, contained a rare tabernacle. In the churchyard were lined the graves of shipwrecked mariners, a testament to man’s past association with these rugged shores. Gavin and Emily would spend hours making up stories about the souls buried there, their imaginations running wild.

Away from the sea were tranquil woodland paths with tinkling streams, sunny meadows and perhaps the fleeting glimpse of deer. It was the perfect place to be a child, even with the constant threat of war’s darkness looming ever so near. It was 1940 and the children had witnessed most of the young men joining up, while those too old or infirm to be accepted into the armed forces, remained behind to form a unit of the Home Guard. Emily and Gavin often sat watching the airplanes circling each other like insects, shocked when one would drop from the sky trailing a plume of dark smoke.

Still, they weren’t teenagers yet and didn’t really understand the combat they were witnessing. The conflict was unreal and distant, so without seeing the horrors and destruction that accompanied war, it all seemed like a game. To them it was merely an inconvenience, with rationing and the occasional interruption of their normal lives. With varying success, the youngsters tried to ignore the events around them as much as possible.

Let’s not go inside today, Emily suggested as Gavin reached for the door handle to the Coombe Barton Inn.

He was surprised. Why not, Emmy? I thought we were going to use our sweet coupons today?

Emily sighed and said, I know, but I don’t want to listen to all those adults complaining again.

Gavin’s cobalt-blue eyes sparkled as he smiled broadly and took her hand. We don’t have to stay, you know. We’ll just pick out our treats and leave.

Yet Emily still resisted, shaking her head. Not today, Gavin. I’m just not in the mood.

He didn’t get angry with her, but sensed his friend was truly troubled by all the depressing chatter inside. The talk around the village really was quite negative, with worries of impending invasion and the imminent fall of the British Empire.

All right, then, Gavin acquiesced nicely. Let’s go exploring.

That suggestion perked up Emily instantly and she couldn’t wait. They hurried away, moving inland for a change, towards the many farms scattered all about.

What should we look for today? Gavin wondered as they walked up the road.

Trolls! Emily announced bravely.

The boy stopped dead in his tracks. He eyed her carefully.

I’m serious, Gavin, she said. I want to find their nasty little hideout. Then we’ll take the information to the elf queen and be heroes.

Gavin shook his head in wonder. First, he was amazed at how easily Emily embraced the world of make-believe. Secondly, he was impressed at how willing she was to commit them to a mission of certain doom.

Let’s head for the old stone bridge, Gavin suggested, pulling her by the wrist. Those disgusting louts hide under bridges, you know.

Off they ran, laughing and skipping, without a care in the world. They escaped into their own fantasy world for a while, enjoying their fertile imaginations while such gifts were still possible. They would grow up soon enough and even though it was obvious they weren’t little children anymore, Gavin desperately wanted to stay young as long as possible. Perhaps, if they were lucky, one of their made-up adventures would actually come true. Then they would never have to become adults and ruin everything.

Back in Crackington Haven, Gavin’s mother, Winifred Kane, was returning from Bude, a larger coastal town to the north, where she had used her weekly ration coupons as frugally as possible. Some items were just not available any longer and that made Winifred’s job even more demanding. However, she had just received a leaflet with the recipe for wartime chocolate cake, which was made without eggs. Mrs. Kane wondered what her family would think.

Before she was married, Winifred had been born and raised in Truro, Cornwall, so she had spent most of her life in the region. Then she fell in love with Richard Kane and the world opened up before her eyes, as her future husband was an accomplished traveler and internationally acclaimed photographer with the Daily Telegram. It came as a bit of a surprise after the wedding, when the newlyweds settled down in Crackington Haven, where Richard was the owner and proprietor of a camera and radio shop, with a portrait studio attached. No longer did her husband gallivant all over the globe snapping dramatic photographs, but by choice had become something of a homebody.

Emily and Gavin searched high and low for those wicked trolls, but the foul creatures must have been hiding elsewhere. Even after a concentrated examination of the bridge turned up nothing, the children weren’t satisfied with their efforts. Well into the afternoon, the game went on and neither grew bored with their fantasy adventure.

Unfortunately, the day quickly ebbed away and they were forced to go home. Gavin escorted Emily most of the way back to Boscastle, before veering in the direction of his own village. They waved goodbye until Emily and Gavin could no longer see each other.

Today, like every other day and even on Sundays, Gavin’s father closed up shop at 5:00 in the evening and later helped his son set the dinner table. At 7:00, after the traditional prayer, Winifred served another delicious meal for her boys, which was always appreciated with compliments, hugs and kisses. Once the supper was finished, everyone helped clear the dishes, before they retired to the sitting room to listen to the nightly BBC War Report. Gavin always sprawled before the big radio, closing his eyes to imagine the events he heard. The news was seldom good, for once again German fighters and bombers attacked RAF airfields and radar stations throughout southeast England.

After the news, Gavin was allowed to listen to his favorite radio show, the ongoing adventures of Dick Barton Special Agent. Tonight’s episode was especially dramatic, as the hero chased enemy agents bent on discovering Britain’s defensive plans against invasion. The subject matter was timely, of course, but Gavin especially enjoyed the main character’s tough, no-nonsense style. This exciting series continued week-to-week, with Dick Barton typically finding himself in serious trouble more often than avoiding it, thereby creating some death-defying action.

Click.

Mr. Kane turned off the wireless when the show concluded. It’s time for bed, young man.

Yes, Father, Gavin said, jumping to his feet and kissing his mother goodnight.

Sleep tight, dearest, Winifred said. Tomorrow is the first day of school and we want you well rested.

I will be, Mum, Gavin said.

The boy climbed the stairs with his father and went into his bedroom, where he changed into his pajamas. After Gavin was under the covers, Mr. Kane retrieved something special from the top shelf of his office bookcase.

What’s that? his son asked with excitement as his father returned.

An ancient book that has been in the family for many generations, Mr. Kane replied. I’ve been meaning to read it to you for awhile now, but tonight is as good a time as any.

The book’s title was Kings and Dragons. It was very impressive looking, bound in black leather, gilded edges in gold, with the imposing shape of a red dragon embossed on the cover. The artist’s rendition was dramatic and even a bit frightening. This volume would not look out of place in a wizard’s laboratory, but his father seemed to handle it with unusual familiarity.

Richard Kane sat on his traditional bedside chair and opened up the fragile old tome, carefully turning to the opening page. Tonight I’ll read to you tales of old, with knights and dragons and magic, he began. The story is about Kenelm Osbert and his son Thaddeus Osbert, protectors of the House of Kane. For they were actually fire-breathing dragons, but had been chosen by kings to defend truth and justice.

Gavin’s eyes were wide with wonder as he scooted back against fluffed-up pillows. Go on, Father, I can’t wait.

Once upon a time, in Tintagel Castle, there lived a King of great legend, his father started reading aloud. For Arthur was known to have gathered the bravest knights to seek justice for all people under his reign. Yet the land suffered from famine and darkness, where dark wizards created evil beasts to do their bidding. King Arthur knew that he must do something to rid this pestilence, yet was also aware his knights were only capable of so much. Therefore, the King sent for his trusted sage and advisor, Merlin the Magician. As regal monarch sat in council with trusted sage, they discussed a course of action. Soon it was revealed that Arthur needed an ally from the world of mystical creatures, for only then could he do battle against the dark arts. Given permission to proceed, the great magician conjured for days and nights, struggling with powerful potions and secretive spells.

Gavin had never before been so fascinated by one of his father’s many books. The words tumbled off Mr. Kane’s lips as if he had memorized them, filled with passion and romance, spilling into the air in vibrant and meaningful splendor. The boy was entranced and swept up in the spirit of adventure, as all young boys should be.

His father continued reading, Merlin finally succeeded in bringing forth an awesome and powerful creature from secret lands beyond time itself. Kenelm Osbert was a mighty creature, a fire-breathing dragon to be sure, with armor-plated scales of deep orange, fiery red and darkest black.

Gavin’s eyes were huge. A real dragon?

His father grinned. I knew you would like that.

Please, Daddy, read more, the boy begged.

Richard looked at his pocket watch. Just a little bit more, son. You do have school tomorrow, remember?

Gavin pouted.

Richard chuckled as he settled back in the chair and began a new chapter. As he turned the pages, father and son traveled together through time and space, to an age undreamed of. The story was as old as time itself, with valiant knights, fair damsels, vast armies besieging impenetrable castles, and strange wizards locked in the continuous conflict between good and evil. It was the dragons that captured

Gavin’s imagination the most, breathing fire and soaring through the air like giant hawks.

As it was, it was far past midnight when the boy finally drifted off to sleep. His father bookmarked the page and pulled up the covers on the bed. He gently kissed Gavin on the forehead and whispered, Sleep well, my son. May your dreams be filled with gallant acts of chivalry and wondrous lands to explore. For one day soon you’ll discover that your fantasies may come true.

Mr. Kane didn’t exit the boy’s bedroom immediately, but looked down upon his sleeping son for quite awhile. Gavin’s face was so peaceful. The boy was as yet untouched by the concerns of manhood. While forces under Adolf Hitler had conquered most of Europe, and England was threatened with destruction, this father prayed his son would have an opportunity to stay a boy as long as possible. There was plenty of time to grow old.

The next morning, bright and early, Gavin was already dressed before his mother came in to wake him. After all, it was the first day of school! He was excited by the possibilities, even with this infernal war. After a hearty breakfast of bangers and mash, which his mother had obviously horded for this special day, Gavin hurried off to school. As he made his way to the bust stop, the boy sensed that life was changing forever in England. Nothing would ever be the same, even after the war was over.

Once in Launceston, while walking to his final destination, Gavin noticed that practically everyone had started growing vegetables, but it was strange to see the front gardens filled with something other than flowers. Most villagers were having success with strawberries, raspberries, loganberries, rhubarb, gooseberries, blackcurrants, and blackberries, which guaranteed fresh fruit would become a major staple of most diets.

Severe rationing meant a bar of soap had to last a week for washing people, the dishes, tables, floors and the laundry, so it was used sparingly. Toothpaste simply vanished from stores, which forced everyone to clean their teeth with soot or salt, while women removed makeup using petroleum jelly, and discovered witch-hazel made a good astringent.

It was a bright sunny day in early September, when Gavin entered the inspiring atmosphere of St. Joseph’s School. He felt small and insignificant walking down the long and terrifying corridors. Yet this same boy felt no fear at the prospect of war, just a quiet expectancy mingled with feverish excitement. Here was something unusual, an experience with the prospect of new adventures. Little did he realize how true his premonitions would become.

Cornwall had always been isolated from the rest of England, but in their isolation, apart from London’s suffering, grew a fierce spirit of independence. This carried over to the children too, who did not mean to be troublesome, but somehow always seemed to do the wrong thing and everyone was cross with them.

Gavin believed that as challenging as these times were, his chums were acquiring a unique character, an independence and maturity, which would serve them well in the coming years ahead. Of course, the teachers held the reins skillfully and directed their exuberance into useful channels of learning.

The life of a nomad had begun, with moving all the time, in constant fear of forgetting the very book that would be required. Quite often, there was a frantic search for those vital notes written upside down or in some margin of Gavin’s much over-crowded notebooks.

Finding paper of the correct type and being in the right place at the right time was a nightmare. Classes might be held anywhere, even the hallway, while Gavin’s desk varied from a table that previously stored corks and glass tubes from the science room, to nothing more than a high-stool. Worst of all, he had to suffer the indignities of being new to grammar school, which meant the upperclass-men often led him astray on purpose.

Classroom walls were gaily decorated with poster competitions for War Weapons Week or other national themes. Eventually the reading room became Gavin’s haven from these weary marches to-and-fro. The boy didn’t know who was more surprised, his instructor or himself, to learn that Gavin had gained a credit in math.

The grades were kept separate and taught at different times, with evacuees usually getting the classrooms and the locals being taught in the corridors.

The entire school voted to adopt HMS Dorsetshire, a Royal Navy County Class Cruiser, as their war-assistance project. The children knitted mitts and scarves, including letters to the sailors.

Evacuees, mostly children from London, were brought in on trains, so when it was announced that the next batch were arriving, everyone went up to the railway station in Launceston. The Women’s Voluntary Service arranged foster homes for them in advance, but the scene was still chaotic at best.

With the clocks still set on British Double Summer Time, there were nice long evenings when the children could go for bicycle rides after finishing their homework. Another popular form of entertainment was going to the cinema at least once a week. The cost for the movie was a shilling in the nice places, but there were a few rundown joints known as fleapits or bug-hutches, where Gavin and Emily could get in for sixpence. Most theatres didn’t open until 2:30 on a

Saturday afternoon, but for some reason the children used to queue up around 1:30.

One day Gavin and Emily watched George Formby in Come on George. Formby endeared himself to his audiences with his cheeky Lancashire humor and folksy persona. In film and on stage, the actor generally adopted the character of an honest, good-hearted but accident-prone innocent. Everyone had a wonderful time and laughed away their troubles for the time being.

Movies were great morale boosters, but the British Pathe newsreels sometimes bored the children. During the interval, tea was served and there was a small lounge in the circle foyer where one could partake of a pot of tea, toasted cakes and flourless buns. If requested, refreshments could be delivered to a person in the audience. There was always great amusement and ripples of laughter when there was a crash as someone upset the tea tray.

There were twelve usherettes working the cinema in Bude and Gavin’s mother was the head usherette. A review was held for all the staff in the entrance foyer every day, before the cinema opened. Everyone was inspected for tidiness and proper make-up. No one giggled or spoke at these evaluations, which were taken very seriously.

With the manager’s approval, Mrs. Kane hired a Page Girl, a pretty blonde-haired woman named Leslie Ward, with lavender eyes and quite striking in her green uniform and pillbox hat. Miss Ward delivered important messages to people in the audience and was the first person to announce air-raid warnings. Winifred’s staffing success revolved around the four Hillary sisters, who were main-aisle usherettes, Mavis Tanner in the cash box, and Penelope Short, who was the ice-cream sales girl wandering around the auditorium as the shorts and second features played, but never during the main feature.

There was also a canteen at the bottom of Ludon Hill Street, where Gavin’s mother was one of the volunteers organized to look after the customers. Sometimes Emily Scott helped clear the tables after school. It was always busy with sailors from nearby harbors and airmen dropping in on the way to several RAF airfields. The lady helpers came from various women’s organizations, including local churches.

Another afternoon, bombs were dropped on the Royal Cornwall Infirmary, where a nurse was killed and many more were injured. There were German POW patients in the hospital as well, but apparently, enemy planes mistook the stack of the hospital furnace as a munitions factory. As a result of this incident, huge white crosses were painted on every hospital roof in England.

War also forced Gavin to learn an entirely new vocabulary, which included words such as shrapnel, evacuation, evacuees, bombardment, duration, rations, barrage balloons, and black out. After the children completed their homework and extra duties, they would often gather in the village square to watch the men of the Home Guard march and drill.

The Local Defense Volunteers had been formed when the risk Hitler