Leamington Second World War soldier's diaries published in book written by his daughter

Like so many young men, in 1939 Frederick George Draper signed up to serve in the British Army having been inspired to do so after Britain declared war on Germany and her allies. Eighty years on from when they were first written and with war again devastating parts of Europe and the Middle East, Fred’s diaries lift a lid on the humanity, humility and morale that saw a now largely lost generation endure some of the most harrowing days of the 20th century.

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The diaries of a Leamington Second World War soldier will be published in a book written by his daughter.

Like so many young men, in 1939 Frederick George Draper signed up to serve in the British Army having been inspired to do so after Britain declared war on Germany and her allies.

It was to be an experience that proved both exhilarating and even harrowing, seeing service in Egypt, Libya, Palestine, India and finally

The front cover of the book. Picture supplied.

as a ‘Chindit’ in Burma.

Leamington woman translated her German mother's diary to write about her struggl...

Eighty years on from when they were first written and with war again devastating parts of Europe and the Middle East, Fred’s diaries lift a lid on the humanity, humility and morale that saw a now largely lost generation endure some of the most harrowing days of the 20th century.

And now, his daughter Carol Draper has edited and published A Private War: The diaries of Frederick George Draper 1939-1945.

She said: “I had known these diaries existed in an old tin somewhere for most of my life, so to have finally been able to edit and transcribe them into a book, let alone publish it, has been a deeply personal experience, and something I’m tremendously proud to see come to fruition.

“Like so many of his generation, my father never really spoke of his wartime experiences, particularly in the jungles of Burma.

“So, for me, digesting his accounts written by his hand all those decades ago has felt like we have finally had the conversations we were never able to have while he was still alive.”

A Private War: The diaries of Frederick George Draper 1939-1945, edited by Carol Draper is released on Friday, 10th November 2023.

To purchase a signed copy, please visit www.zsazsapublishing.com