#david powlett-jones

[darkhorse-javert]

The sand(s) of time

@flashfictionfridayofficial

1938 Bamfylde, Devon

“‘How fast the sand of time doth flow’” Howarth's voice was an uneasy whisper in the room, weaker than he felt it should have been, of the common sense of the illness ignored.

Who's is that, Howarth?

“No-one's in particular PJ the frail once solid form said. “Clough might be just as apposite foe the present moment. He coughed a little to clear his throat, “Say not the struggle naught availeth, the Labour and wounds in vain.”

“Another war.” 

Howarth grunted, dropped into silence 

His sickness rose again at the thought. As if we hadn't turned France and Belgium red with blood, us and the Germans both. And all the boys, bright and curious and keen, sharp with loyalty and fervor which he remembered of those last bright days in the Valleys - before a promised University became khaki and trenches and shells. Now somehow, it seems to be coming round again, what we were determined to stop.

Christopherson, already gone, ghost unmarked. And there would be more to come, because Bamfylde and England had bred them like that, even he had in a way, building in them a strength of conviction and a challenge to the status quo.

“Not your fault PJ, not your fault.” Howarth said softly, “A good mind and an honest heart, you've given them that… from then a man must do as his conscience demands."

[biboocat]

To Serve them All My Days by R.F. Delderfield, 1972. This is the story of 21 yo David Powlett-Jones who returns to England after having been nearly killed and badly shell shocked in Flanders. He meets a wise and compassionate headmaster at Bamfylde who helps David to start life anew as a teacher. Having attended schools like Bamfylde before the second world war, the author is able to realistically portray life in a boys public school and the sociopolitical issues of the time. It is also a moving testament to the kindness and devotion of educators and the legacies they bequeath that aren’t found in a syllabus - honor, duty, compassion, tradition. I will recall my time at Bamfylde with great fondness as if I were an Old Boy of the school.

Looking forward to seeing the adaptation of the book.

[kwebtv]

Frank Middlemass as Algy Herries and John Duttine as David Powlett-Jones in "To Serve Them All My Days"

[jamesquinlanmeservy-author]

JQM LITERARY CHAT Welcomes John B. Rosenman

  TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF:

I’m a retired English professor with Celiac disease who plays a lot of tennis. I’ve always liked science fiction, fantasy, and horror — speculative fiction in general. At Norfolk State University, I designed and taught a course on how to write and market science fiction and fantasy. I used to edit Horror Magazine and I’m a former Chairman of the Horror Writers Association.

      WHAT INFLUENCED YOU TO WRITE YOUR GENRE(S)?

It just came naturally; it’s part of who I am. Seeing science-fiction and horror movies in the fifties contributed to my interest. Movies like The Thing, The War of the Worlds, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and so on. Then again, I read science fiction back then such as The Shrinking Man by Matheson and The Martian Chronicles by Bradbury. I like to be both scared and filled with awe and wonder.

      WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS?

Robert Silverberg, Octavia E. Butler, Stephen King, Dan Simmons, Orson Scott Card, Mike Resnick and so many others.

      WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BOOKS?

The Hyperion Cantos, The Forever War, The Hunger Games series, Dozois’ The Year’s Best Science Fiction series, Borderlands, ed. by Thomas F. Monteleone Assemblers of Infinity . . .

      WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE LITERARY CHARACTERS?

Katniss Everdeen, Jack Reacher, Winston Smith, David Powlett-Jones, Robert Neville, Miranda in “The Lake Was Full of Artificial Things” . . .

      IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH POTENTIAL READERS?

There’s so much. In 1953 when I’d just turned 12, I sat in a theater watching The War of the Worlds. I loved the movie. The scene where the three men go to the cylinder and it starts to open filled me with fear and horror. I wanted to run from the theater but was held spellbound. That experience shaped so much of my future and direction as a writer. Also, it may explain why my favorite holiday and day of the year is Halloween. (See my short story “Daniel, My Son”)

      WHERE CAN WE GO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR LITERARY WORKS?

I recommend my website at

http://www.johnrosenman.com

There’s also the following:

Blog: http://johnrosenman.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Writerman1

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/JohnBRosenman?ref=hl

Facebook Home Page: http://www.facebook.com/john.rosenman

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/John-B.-Rosenman/e/B001KMN69E

  My main publisher is Crossroad Press.

        Excerpt from Inspector of the Cross:   

  “Here.” Yori placed a glass of rare Zontenian wine in his hand. “Drink this and maybe you can get some rest. So tomorrow…”

  “So tomorrow I’ll be in shape to resume my Flying Dutchman chase amid the stars?” he finished.

“You think getting drunk is what I need?”

  “What do you need, Tan?” Her dark eyes implored him. “Tell me.”

  He raised the glass, his throat tight with terror. “Make me young again, Yori. As when I started.” He managed to find his mouth with the glass, only he was shaking so hard, half of the wine sloshed down his body. He dropped the glass.

“Oh, Tan, I’ll make you young again. Take away all your pain.” She dropped wet-eyed to her knees and kissed the wine from his belly, licking him dry. Gradually she worked lower and despite the way he was shaking, he felt himself respond. Respond as he always did with her. He closed his eyes as she clasped him in a frenzy, hearing her words muffled by his flesh. “I’ll make you new again, Tan. Take away all your pain.” She rose and led him to bed, where he knew she would bring him love and warmth but no youth or Lethe of forgetfulness. All he knew was for this moment, he must try to find them.

  Teaser: After 3500 years, Turtan finally discovers a weapon that can save humanity from vicious aliens, only to be betrayed.

  Buy at http://amzn.to/1AAYTZ9

   JQM LITERARY CHAT Welcomes John B. Rosenman JQM LITERARY CHAT Welcomes John B. Rosenman TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF: I'm a retired English professor with Celiac disease who plays a lot of tennis.

[kwebtv]

To Serve Them All My Days - BBC One - October 17, 1980 - Januiary 16, 1981

Drama (13 Episodes)

Running Time: 60 minutes

Stars:

John Duttine as David Powlett-Jones

Frank Middlemass as Algy Herries

Alan MacNaughtan as Howarth

Patricia Lawrence as Ellie Herries

Neil Stacy as Carter

Susan Jameson as Christine Forster

Charles Kay as Alcock

Kim Braden as Julia

John Welsh as Cordwainer

Cyril Luckham as Sir Rufus Creighton

Simon Gipps-Kent as Chad Boyer

Belinda Lang as Beth

Nicholas Lyndhurst as Dobson

David King as Barnaby

Phillip Joseph as Emrys Powlett-Jones

Michael Turner as Brigadier Cooper

Norman Bird as Alderman Blunt