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Launching Blood and Bandages – fighting for life in the RAMC Field Ambulance 1940-46 by William Earl and Liz Coward

Launching Blood and Bandages – fighting for life in the RAMC Field Ambulance 1940-46 by William Earl and Liz Coward

Welcome to the climax of, the writing of Blood and Bandages.  I hope the story, warts and all, has inspired potential writers and interested the book’s many fans. I have little to say other than that because the launch marks the moment a book leaves the creative creche and enters the outside world to stand or fall on its own merits.  So, dear reader, I invite you to watch a recording of the book launch.

There are three films. The first is of Sandie Clark and Paul Moriarty performing a condensed version of the story.

Paul Moriarty and Sandie Clarke at the book launch, April 29th 2017

The second covers speeches from William and I. Those that have been following the series will recognise most of this.

William at the book launch of Blood and Bandages, April 29th 2017

The third covers the Q and A session and 101 year old William is on fine form.

Over 140 people attended the actual event, including representatives from the Italy Star Assocation, Surrey Infantry Museum and Mr Rob McIntosh from the Museum of Military Medicine. It was covered by local radio stations, Spirit FM and Juice FM and our local paper, the Shoreham Herald.

 

After the launch, there was a flurry of media interest. William and I were interviewed by Mark Carter on BBC Radio Surrey and Sussex.

Mark Carter from BBC Surrey and Sussex, May 2017

 

Forces TV and BBC South East Today sent camera crews to interview William.

Charlie Rose from BBC SE Today, May 2017

 

Most movingly, I was contacted by strangers asking if William had served with or saved their relatives. Often the answer was no, but then Rodney Morgan wrote. I was delighted to be able to tell him that not only did William know his father, Staff Sergeant Morgan appears in the book!

 

Blood and Bandages has received excellent reviews and the function of WW2 Nursing Orderlies has become better known. Indeed, their role was highlighted in the moving BBC documentary, Gary Lineker: My Grandad’s War, in which William spoke to Gary about his grandfather’s responsibilities and the situations he would have encountered.

Liz Coward, writer, author, playwright, uk, singapore, William Earl, Blood and Bandages book, 104 year old WW2 veteran in RAMC, Gary Lineker: My Grandad’s War BBC documentary
Filmimg for Gary Lineker: My Grandad’s War, Italy August 2019

 

William’s last public appearance was on 11th November 2021 and he died peacefully on 11th March 2022 aged 106.

William Earl 12th May 1915 – 11th March 2022
Since William’s death, the first part of his story has been included on the popular WW2 podcast, We Have Ways of Making you Talk, ‘ and the  second will be broadcast in the summer.

 

I am immensely proud of Blood and Bandages and am humbled and grateful to have been at the right place at the right time. As you’ve read, the journey was been neither straight-forward nor easy but it has been incredibly worthwhile. My passion for the book has not diminished over time and I constantly look for opportunities to promote it, not just for financial reasons, but because it embodies the values I cherish, those of service, sacrifice, loyalty, commitment, love and humility.

My next post will be on 12th May, when I’ll be re-visiting the RNLI’s role in Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from the beaches at Dunkirk in May 1940.

2 Responses to Launching Blood and Bandages – fighting for life in the RAMC Field Ambulance 1940-46 by William Earl and Liz Coward

  1. What an amazing journey you’ve been on with William and Blood and Bandages, Liz. Thanks so much for sharing it. It’s been absolutely fascinating finding out about the process that produced such an absorbing book.

  2. Hi Roy,
    Thanks for your comment. It’s been a bit strange looking back on it and I didn’t really recognise myself in the video. So much has happened ove those 5 years. I’m delighted that you enjoyed sharing the journey. I learnt so much during the process.
    Take care,
    Liz

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