y separately published work icon Reluctant Hero : A True Story single work   biography  
Issue Details: First known date: 2011... 2011 Reluctant Hero : A True Story
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'JohnHickman tells the true story about his dad, Bill's involvement in the Second World War. Bill grows up in the slums of Notting Hill, London and leaves school at fourteen. Despite his insecurities, while still in his late teens, he becomes a pilot of Lancaster Bombers. He desperately wants to belong to the "establishment" but rebels against the powers-that-be when he realises they think he is expendable. Loss of life and planes is horrendous and to Bill's mind largely unnecessary. His attitude towards death in combat changes dramatically after he meets and marries John's mother to be, Alice.

After the raid over Dresden in February 1945, he becomes angry at the cover-ups, corruption and myriad of lies. Authorities dispute claims that British planes carried out machine-gun attacks on the civilian population but Bill knows otherwise! Against all odds he survives the war, physically but is dreadfully scarred emotionally. After serving his country he is penalised, dismissed without a commission or job. Even told he is unfit to fly!' Source: http://www.trafford.com/ (Sighted 13/04/2102).

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Bloomington, Indiana,
      c
      United States of America (USA),
      c
      Americas,
      :
      Trafford Publishing ,
      2011 .
      Extent: xii, 333p.
      Description: illus., ports., facsim
      ISBN: 9781426982545 (hbk.), 9781426982538 (pbk.)

Other Formats

Works about this Work

Books of the Week Mike Bruce , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Sunday Mail , 11 November 2012; (p. 37)

— Review of Reluctant Hero : A True Story John Hickman , 2011 single work biography
John Hickman 2011 single work interview
— Appears in: Writing Queensland , October no. 212 2011; (p. 4)
Books of the Week Mike Bruce , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Sunday Mail , 11 November 2012; (p. 37)

— Review of Reluctant Hero : A True Story John Hickman , 2011 single work biography
John Hickman 2011 single work interview
— Appears in: Writing Queensland , October no. 212 2011; (p. 4)
Last amended 13 Apr 2012 12:57:29
Subjects:
  • c
    United Kingdom (UK),
    c
    Western Europe, Europe,
Newspapers:
    Powered by Trove
    X