Peter Croke

I Took a Different Road Peter Croke

Adventure was on offer from my early childhood, growing up in the busy port of Liverpool. It's history and its ships taught me much about the World. For nearly two centuries, boys were inspired by the authors of stirring adventure books. These were about adventures in distant countries that were then still possible. I was greatly influenced by these, but adventure would come to me during my childhood and I would seek it myself in adult life. This book covers: Liverpool's shipping from sailing ships, steam ships and on to ocean liners. The city's involvement in the slave trade, emigration and populating the USA. The 1930s, technology developments and the events leading to WWII. The end of the Phoney War, imminent invasion, Battle of Britain. Aerial Warfare, the Blitz and war on the home front. Aggressive boy's schooling in the 1940s. National Service in the Royal Air Force. Joining the Kenya Police, induction, training and the existing culture and social structure. Mau Mau terrorism, active duty in the South Nyeri Reserve & the operational environment. The Kikuyu people from victims to self-defence, offensive and defeat of Mau Mau. The law and politics in policing, covert operations, amnesties and mass surrender. Mau Mau and truth in history.