Brothers in Arms

by Alistair Buchan

In the small Irish village of Ballymaine, Matthew O’Hagan and Danny Corcoran grew up as boyhood friends. A visit to the village in 1796 of a recruiting party changed both their lives and sent them in different directions. Matthew took over the job of ploughboy at the Squire’s estate. In time he became the innocent victim of the harsh British legal system and, together with his son was sentenced for transportation to Australia.
Danny Corcoran took the King’s shilling and joined the army to fight against Napoleon. He was a stubborn youth and not easily tamed by military discipline, so he led a chequered career. Eventually he received promotion to replace a sergeant killed in the Battle of Barossa. No sooner had he got his sergeant’s stripes than he became embroiled with the wife of an officer. With the officer threatening revenge, to save his skin, he decided to desert. Making his way though Spain he met up with a number of other deserters. They were heading towards Gibraltar under the command of the evil Lt. Beaulieu-Wintour. The exploits of this gang of brigands finally ended with the murder of a Spanish nobleman and his family and the reprisals of the Spanish. Corcoran and the Beaulieu-Wintour managed to escape and yet again Corcoran’s career changes to take a completely unexpected path.

145 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2016

About the author

Educated near London. Attended University of Reading, obtaining degree and Postgrad. Dip. Joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as Boy Seaman and progressed to Able Seaman. Has pursued several careers ranging from cowman, Farm Manager, Agricultural Adviser, through saddler, gunsmith/dealer, and finally actor (under a different name) and author.