The Welsh Guardsman: A gripping, historical family saga, based on a true story

by Ann Brough

A historical family saga, based on a true story, filled with tragedy, love and loss. Readers are calling it an emotionally gripping must-read and a triumphant sequel to Ann Brough’s debut novel, The Prussian A sweeping family saga based on a true story. 1927 - Young Dorothy is trapped in a life of poverty and heartache. Abandoned by a mother who never loved her, she is forced to live with grandparents who care even less for her than they do for their own bratty children. Dorothy must persevere and hold on to the distant memory of her loving father with only a tin of letters and a small toy soldier to remind her of her former life of wealth and privilege. Just when Dorothy thinks life has nothing left to offer, a letter arrives, inviting her to visit her father in London. Will this be the opportunity Dorothy has been waiting for? With World War II breaking out across Europe, and Dorothy moving into adulthood, she wonders whether her father’s wealth and influence will be enough to rescue her from the life she has been living. Or will a chance encounter with a handsome soldier on a train be her ticket to freedom?

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2018

About the author

Ann Brough is in her mid-seventies and lives with her husband, David, on the shores of beautiful Lake Winnipeg in the province of Manitoba, Canada. She has been a keen storyteller for her whole life, and ventured into writing novels at the tender age of seventy three. This is Ann's third book and, like the first two, it is based on true facts remembered and recorded by her mother and grandmother. It is Ann's belief that all families have stories to tell-some fascinating and exciting. She is inspired by the hardships and heartaches her ancestors experienced, and was excited to write what she knows about their lives. All three novels are based in Staffordshire, England, where Ann grew up. Ann and David have a growing extended family. With three married children and five grandchildren (now six, as their eldest grand daughter married in 2018). Everybody loves the lake and summers are filled with family, food, sand, campfires, swimming and wonderful memories. This latest book attempts to emphasize the difference between Ann's mother's experience, growing up in an abusive household where alcohol was prevalent and children were only tolerated, and her father's family, who lived in the same area but attended a temperance chapel, and whose children were cherished and loved. The influence of Ann's paternal grandmother, May Podmore, has been apparent throughout her life. For more about Ann and her other books visit www.annbrough.com

Reviews

[Trick Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Welsh Guardsmen , by Ann Brough is such a fantastic story. It covers so many years,follows Edward from the time he is born,growing up,trips to America and back to England.. Many brother and sisters Edward has,you follow Edward and his life. A very well historical fiction book this is. Follow Edward's loves, and you share all of his life with him,two wars and what a little status soldier means not only to Edward but also to his daughter, Dorothy's he wanted so bad but things happen with that in his life. This you will find in the Prussian Soldier... This is a continuing story of Dorothy, Edward's daughter's life and it's just a really wonderful story you really will love!. As you read you find out who the Welsh Guardsman is..Grab some tissues and see how the very rich live and the so very poor and how hard it is to just live. The characters they will begin to become real people to You and it's a true story written by Dorothy's daughter Ann. After you read the book make sure you read what Ann says about these people in her life,especially about her mom.

[Cindy Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great follow-up story

This book is the continuation of the story 'The Prussian Captain,' which I read last year. Again, a truly interesting and great family history written by the daughter/granddaughter of the people she writes about.

Having an unusual background is something I can relate to....... having the courage, fortitude and talent to put it into writing and be published is amazing. Filling in the blanks can be such an eye-opener as this author relates.

The life of Dorothy, a child born out of wedlock to the most unlikliest of unions is hard to imagine at times and more than heart wrenching as her life of abject poverty, abuse and neglect is told. Her father 's continued interest in her and caring heart is the one good thing in her life, and then she meets her Welsh Guardsman.

I think readers of historical fiction and romance will enjoy this book. An extraordinary story of a little girl's love and fortitude into adulthood.

[Janet Cardillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought it was fiction

It was a wonderful but trying story. So much going for one set of people...the wealthy, and such dire poverty where most of the working class lived. And how Fred noticed when rationing was going on where they lived, yet at the fathers house. Food was plentiful. Doesn't seem right yet that's how it was. Fascinating to read how Dorothy made out, although the author explains how she wasn't quite so nice as in the book. Seeing both sides of the world, I am surprised she ended up with Fred, who seemed perfect for her as she must have been needing a lot of reassurance that she was loved.

[bibliolatry · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most remarkable book I have ever read!

I don’t know where to begin in writing this review. I was completely blown away by the power of this story. This book really had everything: joy and sadness, humor and gravity, beauty and ugliness, and above all wisdom. I never expected to love this book so much. After reading The Prussian Captain, I had to read this as well to see what happened to Dorothy. She was a remarkable woman worthy of respect. I HIGHLY recommend this book.

[Jeanne Johnston · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I'd known this was based on fact when I started this. I found the story depressing and not terribly compelling as it was a fairly unemotional litany of events, often with no warning when scenes changed. The people were, in general, awful. The details of the war were the most interesting part. Sadly, there were lots of editing misses with wrong words used. Had I read the author's note at the beginning instead the end, I might have felt more patient.

[Trudy Lonegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. What I read about the true inspiration for Dorothy makes it even more interesting. I need to go back and read the first in the series. Her homelife was rough with her mother's family and wonderful with her father, but as a bastard to him, he could not legally save her. The title is misleading because the Welsh Guardsman himself is minor compared to Dorothy in importance in the story. Read on kindle

[Suebrown · Rating 5 out of 5]

WelchGuardsman

It is a sequel to Prussian Captain. This is a true story about Dorthy and Fred. This is the authors family. It is very hard to put into words about all that has happened over the years with the people who make up the book. I loved it from the beginning. Thank you Ann for sharing your family with us!!

[Patrick Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Welsh Guardsman is an emotionally moving book that I couldn't put down. It traces the story of a woman who fights to be happy and feel loved from early childhood. Life offers her an unusual combination of social obstacles and springboards to navigate and chose between.

[Angela Markovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing history thru the eyes of an author.

I really enjoy reading books based on true stories. I did not realize this book was in fact based on a true story until the end. Wish the series could have been longer. Maybe it will be!!

[Gary David Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Great research of family life. I really pictured Dorothy as a loving demonstrably women. Would like to know what happened to Fred.

[rebecca Bank · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly an excellent read. I almost felt like I was there with the family.

[Jenny Old · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Loved this sequel to A Russian Captain, especially as it is based on a true story. I thoroughly enjoyed it

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 nd book About Dorothy’s life after her mother and father split up and she was left with her grandma. When she meet Fred and married. True story .