Interview with Author Pat Strickson
Describe the book in 10 words or less for people who are just learning about it.
WWII Bomb Disposal, ten weeks life expectancy, Captain Hannaford survived.
At what point did you decide to be an author and what was your path to publication?
I found a watercolour painting by AFJ Hannaford and discovered the artist was a war hero. The peaceful painting was exactly opposite to his wartime job as a bomb disposal officer.
I felt an immediate attachment. It went from there.
I still haven’t come to terms with the fact I’m an author. It’s others who say it.
And it’s his story.
I suppose I went one step at a time. Each step brought with it new learning experiences.
For planning, I found out I was better with visuals, mapping where I’d been and where next.
I thoroughly enjoyed researching, it was like being a detective and I didn’t have to share anything I’d written which was hard at first.
My best writing happened between midnight and 4am!
There was more planning with more detail.
Then more researching, checking details and permissions, followed by more writing.
Then came the editing. I was surprised just how often that happened.
I printed out my manuscript too many times just to see how it shaped up.
I looked online to read what self-publishing meant I didn’t want to wait and be turned down.
I needed his story out there as soon as possible..
Then I read up testimonials from people who had done that before me.
More people than I imagined.
Once chosen I had to visit to see what the publishers looked like. I felt happier meeting people in person. For me face-to-face was important.
Once chosen, they guided me through each stage, expertly.
It was a wrench giving the book over to them then not hearing anything whilst it was going through each stage.
I would recommend SPP and Brown Dog Books in Bath.
I love the feel of the book cover and the presentation and layout inside.
I feel Captain John Hannaford would have liked it too.
What is your favorite line from your book?
He introduced me to a completely different way of living, where every second counted and time stood still in a muddy hole.
Is there anything you would like people to take away from your book?
Tell others. Get these soldiers recognised for their courageous wartime work.
What has been the toughest criticism you have received as an author? What has been the best compliment?
One reviewer said ‘it felt flat’ that hurt as I feel passionate about it and have done throughout the 2 years I’ve been writing. But he also found it interesting enough to read the whole book.
Best compliment was that Captain Hannaford’s 10-year-old great granddaughter enjoyed it. As well as the proofreader, Mark Rance, who gave me 5 stars on Amazon.
Title: Time Stood Still in a Muddy Hole
Author: Pat Strickson
A chance finding of a watercolour painting in a charity shop in Bexhill On Sea began a journey of discovery for former Head Teach Pat Strickson, leading to the remarkable and heroic acts by the artist AFJ Hannaford and his colleagues.
The author enthusiastically pieced together his life story and was gripped by coincidences, stirred by the passionate heartache present in his many notes, also heard in his conversations filmed for a Channel 4 documentary and an interview for the Imperial War Museum.
The research Pat did lead to a discovery of dark and dangerous times. Brave men blown up doing their job. It unearthed the secrecy surrounding their acts of courage and the often untimely end of their young lives from booby-trapped enemy bombs and, tragically,
from our own mine clearance. Captain John Hannaford, Royal Engineer Bomb Disposal Officer WWII, was a leader of men at 24.
The author hopes that this record will show that the officers and men who died should receive the recognition for their bravery and sacrifice, that John so longed for.
About the Author
My name is Patricia Roxborough Murray Strickson, known as Pat. I was born in South West Scotland but have lived in England for most of my life. Due to family circumstances I moved schools several times and struggled, failing my 11plus in Scotland and later my GCSEs in England. I retook my exams and eventually studied to get my MA in Education. I achieved my dream job as a teacher in a primary school. I became a dyslexia specialist. When I retired forty years later it was as an Executive Headteacher.
I had no idea I would write a book.
I discovered a painting of a local landmark in a charity shop. After buying it I took it to the framers, they recognised it belonged to a local war hero. I followed his amazing story, gripped by coincidences and gained his family’s support. I used Captain Avro Frederick John Hannaford’s notes and followed his story. I loved the research. He was one of the last bomb disposal officers in WWII. He was sure they’d been forgotten and wanted official recognition for the 350 who gave the ultimate sacrifice. I discovered a whole new way of living and how ‘Time stood still in a muddy hole,’ for Captain Hannaford. I also believe all retired bomb disposal experts deserve that recognition.
I am a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and now quite unexpectedly an author.
I am still learning and excited about the opportunities that arise through serendipity.
