Welcome to the Finsbury Publishing website
David Rowland has just re-launched his popular 'Spitfires over Sussex' book, which is a revised and expanded edition on the
original which he penned in 2000.
David has had a passionate
interest in the subject since his dramatic childhood in Brighton during
the war years, which is now partly told through 'Coastal Blitz', 'Out
of the Blue', 'Spitfires over Sussex' and 'War in the City', all of which
use rare photographs, newspaper stories, personal recollections and first-hand
experiences to describe those incredible few years and how they effected
the coastline towns including Brighton and Newhaven. 'Spitfires over Sussex'
tells the amazing story of 602 squadron based at Tangmere, and how they
fought to keep the skies clear of enemy aircraft during the Battle of
Britain. His latest book, 'Survivors', tells the incredible stories of
airmen who were shot down and lived to tell the tale.
David Rowland was four when war broke out on September 3rd, 1939. He still has vivid memories of the nights when Brighton burned, of sleeping in a Morrison shelter, of carrying a gas mask everywhere and of the many evacuations from the classroom to the air raid shelters outside Finsbury Road Junior School. He went on to work at Sainsbury's before and after two year's National Service with the Royal Air Force, and in 1958 he joined the Brighton Borough Police force, where his duties ranged from beat officer to dog handler, patrol car driver and Police Federation official. David retired from the Police in 1985 and rejoined the Newhaven branch of Sainsbury's, and keenly pursues his hobbies of local history, travel and the American West. David would love to hear from anyone who has any wartime memories or stories they would like to share.
Update 9th November 2011: Custer's English Soldier now available to order.
Recent news: Spitfires over Sussex (expanded edition) now available to order.
Recent news: The Death and Times of Chief Constable Solomon now available to order.
Recent news: Brighton Trunk Murders now available to order.
Recent news: Target Brighton now available to order.