AN author from Eggesford has just published his first novel.

Colin Beazley's debut novel 'One Day in June' shares the experiences of a young man joining Bomber Command during the second world war and flying secret missions to France. When his aircraft is shot down, he is rescued by the Resistance.

He journeys back to France 20 years after the end of the war to find those who sheltered him and aided his escape, only to make a discovery that changes his life forever.

Colin has lived in Eggesford for the last 35 years with his wife. He was raised in North London and through his youth travelled extensively through Europe and America with the Scouts organisation.

He decided to make the novel as realistic and accurate as possible: 'To write the novel, I've spoken to many eye-witnesses, Royal Air Force veterans and those who experienced the war. It also has taken a lot of research to get it finished

'Their accounts of events helped me to create what I feel is an interesting story.

'There are many stories about fighter pilots, but not an awful lot has been written about Bomber Command, which is what got me interested.

'The guy who got me started was an RAF veteran who was a farmer at Shebbear. I spent a day with him, listening to his stories and seeing his memorabilia, and he was a great inspiration.

'Sadly, he died at the end of last year, which was a great shame. I would have loved him to read it and see what he thought of it.'

After struggling to edit the historical facts in his first draft, Colin found a unique solution: 'When I got writing, I found it was turning into a history book. So much so both of my editors asked me simultaneously, is it a novel or a history book?

'I decided to insert elevated numbers into the text, which refer to notes which help furnish the historical background without slowing down the momentum of the story.

'The notes can be found on the book's website, as can contemporary photographs.'

The book's publication comes just a few months before the unveiling of a memorial to the men and women of Bomber Command, in London's Green Park on June 28. Colin intends to be present at the unveiling to pay his own respects.

The book notes and photographs can also be found on this site. The novel will also be available on Kindle in the near future.