1914

The British Ace #1

by Griff Hosker

The story of a young soldier who joins the cavalry to fight in France in 1914. After the horrors of a cavalry charge against machne guns he transfers to the R.F.C where he becomes a gunner and observer. Eventually he becomes a pilot and shows a flair for aerial combat. Set against the backdrop of England in 1914 it shows the contrast between life in England and the brutal war in Flanders.

Genres: Historical Fiction, War, Fiction, Historical

ebook

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

I was born in 1950 in Lancashire and attended a boy’s grammar school. After qualifying as an English and Drama teacher in 1972, I worked in the North East of England for the next 35 years. During that time I did write, mainly plays, pantos and musicals for the students at the three schools in which I worked.

When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.

My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.

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Reviews

[Michael Alicastro]

Excellent book

The book started prior to WW I and kept it suspenseful through the year. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next book.

[Samuel R]

enjoyable

A Very good read; Believable characters, and a good story line. I am looking forward to continue reading the rest of the series.

[David Baird]

We meet Bill Harsker in the run up to World War I. We learn about his family, the estate they live on and the worry they start to feel as rumbles of war reach them.

It's a stressful time for all and the tranquillity of their lives are shattered.

Bill heads to war along with many other brave souls, some never to return.

He has to learn fast, build relationships and find his place in the unit... but is he ready for the brutality of the cavalry unit? How can a horse compete against a machine gun?

The action is bloody, brutal and heart pounding. I'm big enough to admit a couple deaths hit hard and had me shed a tear..The saddest thing is how quickly the story moves on, mirroring life, we don't get given time to grieve... and just when you think things are calming down.. bang.. more death and destruction..

As the war escalates its inevitable that Bill can't come out the other end unscathed.. the respite allows him to travel home where we again see the stresses of those left behind.. those who've lost loved ones, those who wish to fight but can't, and those just living day to day in the hope the war will end.

The break allows Bill to refocus.. he loves the cavalry but when the opportunity arises to join the Royal Flying Corps it's a chance he can't turn down.

The action again moves quick as Bill shows how natural it is for him to fly, but to also lead.

I particularly enjoyed seeing Bill need to deal with clashing personalities and goals.. no one needs a glory hunter in the air if it means others getting hurt.

Plot wise I loved it. It moves super quick but for me felt natural..just like Bill would have been, we are in the dark about the war, only the powers that be know their plans and that just plays into the pace perfectly as the objectives change and things heat up.

Character wise the development was spot on. I felt connections with some, others leave us too soon but that plays into the scenario.. not every one can make it out alive but even those deaths play a part to develop that characters meaning and enhance Bill's journey.

I noted from the synopsis the word "bittersweet" is used and I couldn't agree more. There's a lot to Bill that makes you smile, the playful moments when he notices he's forgot to write home when he made a promise to do so for example..and then the sadness hits as to how his family must be worrying.. but then hits harder when you know some families would be waiting for letters that will never be written.

I wish we had more time but war waits for no man.

A great intro to a series and I must admit the narration by Malk Williams was beautiful, The tone and pace blended perfect with the urgency of war.

The book is a perfect depiction of sorrow and hope.. and with more books in the series to crack on with I'm a happy man!

[Lloyd]

This is the first book in the Historical Fiction, British Ace, series by this author. 1914 of course is the first year of World War I. The main character is Bill Harsker. His family lives on the Estate of Lord Burscough in Lancashire, England. Bill and his father care for the horses on the estate. Bill’s sisters have duties at the main house. So, the story starts out describing the tranquil home life of the Harsker family. Once WWI breaks out, Bill must join his regiment and quickly goes to Flanders to at least help halt the German advance if not push them back to Germany. Bill is in a calvary regiment, which is primarily used for reconnaissance. He encounters combat, destruction and hardships there as the Western Front settles into trench warfare. Bill is wounded and sent home to convalesce. While he is at home, the Lord’s son talks him into transferring to the Royal Air Corp. The rest of the book describes Bill experiences as an observer and gunner on a biplane; and then, as a pilot. The story has excellent descriptions of peacetime life in England, the calvary’s role in the war and then life in the Royal Air Corp. Very interesting reading about life in those early days of World War I. The characters are a little stiff, but I think the author was trying to make them realistic to the times. The British people had a very “stiff upper lick” and formal attitude about life back then. Each individual knew their role and their duty and did it without much emotional involvement. The combat scenes are well described and gives you insight into combat during the early months of World War I.

[Peter]

This was my second novel by Grif Hosker and as such I have an open mind in relation to this authors abilities. It has to be said he is prolific with a multitude of volumes, stories and writings on all facets of history. I am beginning to think, having completed this one, that perhaps he is not for me, writing carelessly without much description and a naive style that leaves the reader doing all the work. I have read many books on the horrors of the First World War and as such this is perhaps one of the weakest, with some very bad and shallow characterisation and little explanation as the story develops of the lives the times and the realities of the life that has been foisted on the main character and the people surrounding him. That said these books are short 25 pages'ish, and expensive in Kindle terms and therefore following a character through all their ups and downs can become very costly, especially when the story is weak and the prose is just on the acceptable side of OK.
I have committed to the second novel in the series , imaginatively entitled 1915, and I will take the time to read in the hope that now I know the characters better the story may have a little more substance. Should that prove not to be the case then I will not be considering myself as a fan of Mr Hosker....we will see!

[Christopher Dove]

This is the first in 'The British Ace' series of books. The series follows the career of William Harsker who becomes a flying ace in the First World War. This book starts by briefly describing William's life before the war, working on the estate of Lord Burscough in Lancashire. He becomes an accomplished horseman, and as a result, at the start of the war, he joins the cavalry. The book recounts several encounters with the enemy, including clashes with German Uhlans who at the start of the war are still armed with lances. However, he finds that traditional cavalry tactics do not fare well against the machine guns of World War I. During a disasterous attack, William is badly wounded. On his recovery he gets the opportunity to join the Royal Flying Corps, which he quickly accepts. He starts his flying career as an observer and gunner. Following several successful missions and with the support of his colleagues he trains to become a pilot. The book then describes his rise to Flight Lieutenant. This is an engaging book written in an easily accessible style. The historic detail is convincing and the characters act and behave in a way that is entirely believable for the era in which the book is set.

[Charles Nordstrom]

I was somewhat disappointed in this book for a couple of reasons. To begin with, I found the sentence structure awkward and more on a juvenile level than for the more mature reader. I am not too sure the author has a great deal of familiarity with flying, particularly with the type of flying and aircraft he writes about. While damage to the rudder would make flying this type of aircraft awkward, it wouldn't necessarily make turning impossible though the pilot would have to cope with adverse yaw. I'd be far more concerned with damage to the elevators. Finally, I was surprised that the author had his cavalrymen being issued gas masks in 1914 and a reference to grenades, both of which really came later in the war. Despite these issues, I still give the book 3 stars. For more detailed appreciation of the aircraft of the period there are better fictional books available.

[Studebhawk]

A Hero in the Air
From very humble beginnings, Corporal Harsker starts as a lowly recruit in the French trenches during World War I. Through his bravery and determination, he is offered a position in the newly formed Royal Air Force.

The author excels in describing the desperate trench warfare of World War I in France. The depiction of air combat at this early stage of aviation effectively conveys the danger and sheer terror faced by these pioneering pilots.

There is also social commentary regarding the changes brought about by the war in Britain. While I noticed some grammatical errors, I did not mind them because the author crafts a compelling story with beautifully developed characters that you genuinely care about.

Overall, "1914" is an excellent read. It serves as a poignant commentary on the true cost of war.

[H]

This was my second novel by Grif Hosker . I tried this as I generally do like WW1 books.

However I wasn't keen on the good boy thrilled to be a servant of his rich owners and looking forward to - as his parents did - a life on the estate.

He joins - as servant to young Mr Toff of course - the cavalry and is eventually give a horse (yeah right) by Mr Toff senior.

However WW1 wasn't good for horses and he joins the Air Force instead.

Really the best I have read on that subject was Derek Robinsons Goshawk Squadron (and the other 2 in series). This seemed like a YA novel n comparison.

Rah rah, what ho. I won't read the rest of these.

[tony wallas]

Not many books written in past decade or two are as engaging and as accurately informative as this one. Not only describing the absolute horrific life and deaths of those who served in WW1 but also reflecting the social changes affecting the, up until then, rigid Class Structure that had governed England in the Edwardian Era. An almost perfect mix of personal experience and overlaying changing world experience.

[G Bancroft]

Great Read

This is one of the best of Mr. Hosker's that I have read. It started a bit slow but then it took off. Please excuse the pun. It is a very enjoyable read for military enthusiasts. I had a hard time putting it down and read it in a day. I look forward to the rest of the series.

[Dana Reeves]

Riveting

This is the first book by Griff Hosker I have read and it was more than riveting. In fact it is addicting. I can't wait to start the next in the series. It tells a wonderful story surrounded by early aviation in the First World War.

[Gene Rosso]

Hooked on another series by Gifford Hosker😀

[Somerled]

Good Boy's Own stuff!

Bit simplistic with some questionable editing i.e. mother's & sister's last letters dated March and April 1914 respectively and we have a Boxing Day 1915!

[Jeff]

Good read. WWI - Bill survives a cavalry charge into machine guns, recovers at hospital in England, accepts an invitation to join the RFC and leave the ground war.

[Dennis Williams]

Great 1st book

Really enjoyed this first book in the series. Looking forward to book 2. Lots of action and is well written.

[John Blevins]

very good fiction depicting real warfare.

The actual history of WW1 is connected to believable characters, and creates a tremendous effect of what these real people accomplished.

[Dave]

Griff Hosker alwaysprovidesa good history read.

Mr Hosker writes historical fiction that one enjoys, and gets a good feel for the era. He alwAys has a great main character, who lives the good in life, and the bad. I have yet to read a book from him that I didn't enjoy. The Saxon series was awesome, and the WWI British ace is almost as good. Only less because I enjoy the era of the Viking/Saxon/Norman historical era slightly more. Very affordable,and I plan to eventually read all of his books on kindle.

He is almost as good as Brenard Cornwell,to me.

Buy it if you like WWI books. This author will not disappoint.

[J. Griff]

I truly enjoyed this book finding the story enjoyable & the characters engaging. The first part of the book broke by heart, being a pet owner, at the loss of his horse while in the cavalry fighting in Flanders. Horses & dogs are the most loyal of animals. Being a retired Soldier myself I don’t know much about aviation as I wasn’t part of those units, but I did find it interesting especially during this particular time era.

I do recommend it.

[David Hughes]

Once again a great WWI story

Again DR H enjoyed andlearnedalarge amount of WWI military stuff. Beingafrustrated CartGrapher I really enjoyed them great maps (three) in t h e epiloguesection. When one can enlarge _number three map one can visualizes Claude Money's young son would lose his life
.They Hun were 25 miles outside the out skirts Paris! Truly DRH

[David]

A Nice Tale!

Well-written fictional account of the early days of warfare on the ground and in the air in the First World War.

[Matt Larson]

Very descriptive account of what it was like to be a British soldier in WWI