Further Expanded Edition of Poetry and Portraits Launched

Review by Steve Cooke

Long-time friend of AATA Gary Bridson-Daley tells me that he is “very happy to announce the launch of Poetry and Portraits in a Deluxe Colour Edition with supplementary content including over 120 pages of additional material”.

This is the outcome of Gary doing further Veterans interviews last year and this year, having travelled to places connected to WW2 on the island of Djerba and at Mareth in Mainland Tunisia, and also written more Veterans/Remembrance poetry, having on top of that more WW2 related material to add.

This latest edition follows on from Gary’s books A Debt of Gratitude to The Last Heroes and The Last Stand – Memories of War, continuing his excellent work to preserve the vitally important personal histories of our brave Servicemen and Women, and is Forwarded by D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan LDH - Legion d' Honneur MBE.

‘Poetry and Portraits’ is set out in two main chapters, and as the title suggests the first is Poetry, written by the Author over the years regarding Remembrance, Veterans and their Sacrifices, Conflict and Peace. The second bigger chapter includes Portraits with background information of over 75 WW2 Military & Civilian Veterans, the vast majority of whom Gary personally interviewed from 2014 until the release of this version of the book in 2026 and constitute inspirational new never seen before content.

 This highly recommended and very worthwhile book includes narratives of Veterans from Royal and Merchant Navies, Army, Air Force, Special Forces, Intelligence & Civilian backgrounds and includes ‘Tribute Pages’ to Sir Winston Churchill, Lieutenant Colonel ‘Paddy’ Mayne and Captain Frederic ‘Johnnie’ Walker, and now newly added for this 'Further Expanded Edition' First Pilot and Pioneering Aviator Amy Johnson, Flight Lieutenant John Cruickshank VC, the last WW2 Victoria Cross holder to pass away in 2025 aged 105.

Gary hopes those who don't already have the book, may have the 1st Edition and be interested in much more content, or might know someone with an interest in either WW2 or Social, U.K and World History, those  who would enjoy it as a good read or maybe as a present for someone, will buy a copy and support him in his innovative and vital tribute to our Veterans: the Debt of Gratitude Project.

Available from: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Poetry-Portraits-Saluting-Generation-Supplementary