46 miles by jarra brown

[Bestseller]

Jarra Brown will be at Best Seller Bookstore Karakum signing copies of his book 46 Miles on Monday 14th September 11am until 14pm.

We hope to see you all there..............................

When Jarra Brown hears church bells he cannot fail to be reminded of the hundreds – 345 to be precise – of service personnel who passed through the beautiful rural Wiltshire countryside into Oxfordshire. These men and women were not hiking across its green pastures or sitting on top of the number 55 bus, instead they were lifeless, resting inside a coffin draped with the Union flag. By the end of August 2011 the bells of St Bartholomew’s Church in Wootton Bassett had tolled more times than the residents of this once peaceful town cared to think about, for each chime represented the moment the police convoy accompanying the hearse from RAF Lyneham entered the High Street. A moment frozen in time, a moment when the residents of this town came to show their respects, a moment that couldn’t have been more fitting even if it had been choreographed. There was no call to arms by the Town Crier, just a spontaneous, modest and unprompted response to those who had paid the ultimate price in the name of duty. 46 Miles is not a book about the politics of war, the whys and wherefores of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, or indeed the hidden agendas and government strategies. It is about a town which captured the hearts of our nation and whose emotions rippled the entire 46 mile journey of honour, dignity and respect into Oxford. It is dedicated to those 345 people who, having signed up to serve their Queen and country, paid with their lives. Wootton Bassett, who nurtured the grieving on every occasion, wanted to let the nation know that these heroes would never be forgotten

[JarraB]

I was once asked in relation to the respect that was shown "Have the British lost the stiff upper lip approach in dealing with the loss of life"? My answer was no the nation had changed in my opinion and unashamedly released that emotion of raw grief. And this is a review that was placed on Amazon which I think reiterates that.
Jarra Brown in his opening chapter to 46 Miles writes "this book is not about the politics of war or the whys and wherefores of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflict". This book is an honest, incredibly humbling and deeply respectful account of a man present during the repatriation of British servicemen and women from the theatre of war through RAF Lyneham and now Royal Wootton Bassett. It is written by a man who so obviously cares, it is about the men and women he so obviously cared about and continues to care for now throughout their journey home, it is about the deep sadness and the unimaginable grief, suffering and pain of the families and friends waiting for their loved ones to return that he witnessed and it is about the ordinary people of Royal Wootton Bassett that he saw who in their own unique way simply showed the country how to honour. By his own admission Jarra says he could not tell the story of every one of the 345 souls repatriated during his time however that matters not, they are ALL represented here in this book. I do not know and have never met Jarra Brown, but you can just tell from this book that he remembers every one of these men and women. Jarra writes about L/Cpl Liam Tasker RAVC and his Arms Explosive Search Theo yet there is no room to write about L/Cpl Ken Rowe RAVC I tell you though Jarra will remember both equally. He also describes the role played by many others who's contributions to the complete repatriation process was so important none more so than F.A.Albin & Sons with their compassion, sincerity, dignity and respect.
Jarra is absolutely right, his book is not about the politics of war or about conflict.......HOWEVER it is about the consequences of politics and conflict if you want to read a book about this then you must read THIS book. Having read the book may we never have to hear the Tenor Bell toll again, they will never be forgotten.

[cambridge]

As a matter of interest are profits going to any of the military charities such as " Help The Heroes " ?

[rosiesmidge]

I used to watch the repatriation ceremony on the news and always thought that that little town showed the rest of the world the better side of us British people, that we still have dignity and compassion and I always hoped that it gave comfort to the grieving relatives that what their loved ones had done in the service of their country was appreciated by the people of the UK and that we also greaved along side them.
A big thank you to all the people of that town who took the trouble to come and pay tribute on behalf of all of us.
Would love to read this book

[JarraB]

In answer to the question raised in relation to Charity. Whilst in the UK donations were made to Royal Marines Association, The Invicta Charity, The National Memorial Arboretum, Homes 4 Heroes who all hosted book signing events. The main charity I have been supporting though has been a possibly unknown charity called Scotty's Little Soldiers, full details can be seen inside the back of the book. If people use Facebook and wish to know more I set up a group called Jarra Brown 46 Miles, amongst the posts are the many stories of the seven weeks I spent in the UK self funding promoting the book. I wrote the book for various reasons but the most important was to try and tell those families who lost loved ones the full extent of honour and respects that was shown. The feedback I received from many as I told them the day we brought their son home was all I needed to know that I had done something right.

[JarraB]

Sorry forgot to mention that books sold out here the prime charity will be the Kyrenia Branch of the Royal British legion who do so much in flying the flag with their members and dedicated committee. Sadly I will not be at their Poppy Ball this year, but if proud to be British and served or not, seriously worth considering joint the Branch just for the events leading up to and including Remembrance Sunday.

[Bestseller]

If anyone would like me to reserve a copy of 46 Miles call 05338248373 or email mcbestseller@hotmail.co.uk

[sofasogood]

Just finished reading this book 10 out of 10 and also what a wonderful charity Scottys Little Soldiers

Well done Jarra Brown

[Jonesy299]

Bought the book yesterday so looking forward to reading it. Thank you Jarra for your continuing support to Service charities (always appreciated).

[JarraB]

Thank you for your feedback sofa reviews are really appreciated.