What do you think?
Rate this book
Jack Lark #0.7
Jack Lark: Redcoat
The third e-novella featuring young Jack Lark - now a young Redcoat yearning to rise above his lot in life - following "Rogue "and "Recruit"
Private Jack Lark wears his red coat with pride. Though life in Queen Victoria's service is tough, he relishes the camaraderie of Aldershot barracks, and four years' harsh discipline hasn't blunted his desire to be more than just a Redcoat.
When he learns that Captain Sloames needs a new orderly, Jack is determined to prove his worth both to the officer and to Molly, the laundry girl who has caught his eye. But standing in his way is Colour Sergeant Slater, a cruel and vicious bull of a man who loathes Jack, and is longing for the chance to ruin his ambition...
Private Jack Lark wears his red coat with pride. Though life in Queen Victoria's service is tough, he relishes the camaraderie of Aldershot barracks, and four years' harsh discipline hasn't blunted his desire to be more than just a Redcoat.
When he learns that Captain Sloames needs a new orderly, Jack is determined to prove his worth both to the officer and to Molly, the laundry girl who has caught his eye. But standing in his way is Colour Sergeant Slater, a cruel and vicious bull of a man who loathes Jack, and is longing for the chance to ruin his ambition...
- GenresHistorical Fiction
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2015
About the author
Paul Fraser Collard
18 books138 followersPaul's love of military history started at an early age. A childhood spent watching films like Waterloo and Zulu whilst reading Sharpe, Flashman and the occasional Commando comic, gave him a desire to know more of the men who fought in the great wars of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. At school, Paul was determined to become an officer in the British army and he succeeded in winning an Army Scholarship. However, Paul chose to give up his boyhood ambition and instead went into the finance industry. Paul stills works in the City, and lives with his wife and three children in Kent.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 23, 2015
The third (of 3?) e-book novellas leading into the initial Jack Lark full-length story ( The Scarlet Thief), this is - somewhat obviously! - therefore set after the events of Jack Lark: Rogue and Jack Lark: Recruit.
Lark is now a redcoat, but still harbors ambitions of bettering himself; of moving up the ranks beyond just being a Redcoat. As anyone who has read The Scarlet Thief knows, he eventually attains that ambition (albeit in a somewhat unorthodox manner), with this novella showing how he takes the first steps in moving from a Redcoat, to becoming an Officer's Orderly. As it set before The Scarlet Thief, some old friends (and foes) play a prominent part in the story - I'll leave it to you to find out who, and how! :)
Lark is now a redcoat, but still harbors ambitions of bettering himself; of moving up the ranks beyond just being a Redcoat. As anyone who has read The Scarlet Thief knows, he eventually attains that ambition (albeit in a somewhat unorthodox manner), with this novella showing how he takes the first steps in moving from a Redcoat, to becoming an Officer's Orderly. As it set before The Scarlet Thief, some old friends (and foes) play a prominent part in the story - I'll leave it to you to find out who, and how! :)
October 29, 2015
What a great short story about one of historical fiction's most enigmatic heroes.
Before his great and daring changes of personas Jack Lark was a proud Red coat looking to better himself determined not to be held back by class, the next step to become an officer's orderly. .....only one very large obstacle in the way, his nemesis.......Slater!!!
A wonderful read that sheds a little more light on Jack's beginnings in the army, well worth a read!
Before his great and daring changes of personas Jack Lark was a proud Red coat looking to better himself determined not to be held back by class, the next step to become an officer's orderly. .....only one very large obstacle in the way, his nemesis.......Slater!!!
A wonderful read that sheds a little more light on Jack's beginnings in the army, well worth a read!
July 13, 2017
The third of three short stories written by Fraser Collard about Jack Lark AKA The Scarlet Thief before the Crimean War.
Set in Aldershot Barracks, "Redcoat" picks up four years after "Recruit" and tells the story of how Jack became Captain Sloames' orderly, whilst trying to keep out of the way of the vengeful Colour Sergeant Slater.
Set in Aldershot Barracks, "Redcoat" picks up four years after "Recruit" and tells the story of how Jack became Captain Sloames' orderly, whilst trying to keep out of the way of the vengeful Colour Sergeant Slater.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews