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Davy, the main character in Nobber's Boy, was my uncle, David Gardiner. I began writing his story in 2004 and never thought I'd ever finish it! I finally decided it was all done in 2021, which, coincidentally, marks the 70th Anniversary of the Imjin Battle. Despite taking so long to reach the end, I knew it was a story that had to be recorded. In 2001, my father wrote To Bait the Dragon which included his own memory of having a brother fighting in Korea, and the memories of some of the other Forest of Dean soldiers who fought with my uncle. I kind of felt the need to put pen to paper from my uncle’s point of view and somehow it turned into a novel.

Growing up, I often overheard my uncle talking about the Imjin Battle and his time in the POW camp in North Korea. He was, I think, surprised at first to learn that I wanted to write about his experience. While he was very happy to recount his memories to me, some of the more harrowing aspects of his life as a POW he chose only to relay to me via my father. When you’ve been through such terrible ordeals, the words almost become unspeakable. In Nobber's Boy, I’ve remained true to my uncle’s memories. Of course, I wasn’t there and can’t begin to know the finer details but everything he told me, I’ve woven into this book.

When my uncle passed away, he left me his watch - the one he wore for the first time the day the battle began. The cross that he found in the glass cover was such an important sign for him. He discovered it precisely at the point when he needed something to give him the strength to get back up onto his feet and run for his life.

The character of Roy is Roy Mills. Roy and my uncle remained best friends up until the day my uncle passed away in 2010. At his funeral, when the vicar mentioned that David used to enjoy a flutter on the horses in his later life, Roy injected some humour into the proceedings by shouting out from the back of the church, "yeah, but the bugger never won anything, did ‘im?!" Only Roy could have got away with such mischief!

As for the other characters included in the book, each one is based on someone who shared my uncle's experiences at one time or another in Korea. In most cases, I’ve used their real names. I am aware that some details of my book may make harrowing reading, particularly for veterans' relatives. I have tried, using a variety of personal letters, website researches, local public notices and other means, to contact the families of the soldiers I have named and apologise to those I have failed to locate. My search continues.

In 2018, I decided to visit South Korea with my husband as part of my research. I quickly realised it was a journey I couldn't make without my father, David's brother. We met a friend from Seoul who was able to take us to Castle Hill where the Chinese had focused much of their firepower against the Glosters during the Imjin Battle on the first night of their Spring Offensive in April 1951. My uncle, Roy and five other privates spent the final hours of the night holding the summit by themselves - their officers and fellow platoon mates killed or wounded.

It was a hot, heavy summer's day when we climbed the steep slopes of Castle Hill. The cicadas were in full voice and the lush vegetation was beautiful. It was a privilege to be there and we realised how lucky we were. We took measurements and compass readings to help with my research and sat in contemplation of the scene on the summit in 1951. So much death. So many young lives stolen.

Above, I've included some of the photographs from the day. They also include a few from our visit to the superb Gloster Hill Memorial. Altogether, a very special experience.