The story of an 'ordinary' D-Day Cockney soldier who somehow reached 'extraordinary' heights - like so many others, it is a story of laughter and tears, of triumph and tragedy.
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About the Author
Barry Parr was born in 1950. He left school at 16 and joined a firm of Turf Accountants in London's Mayfair. In 1977 he joined his father Wally (the subject of this book) in his window cleaning business. In 1991 his father retired to France and left the business to Barry. Throughout his life Barry has enjoyed writing - one of his ambitions was to write his father's life story but struggled to to find the spare time. In September 2005 he had a serious fall from his ladder which resulted in him giving up window cleaning for good. For the past year he has been recovering from his injuries and this book is the result of the spare time he suddenly had!
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By ROBH
I have just returned from France and bought this book at Pegasus Bridge museum. I cannot agree with our friend from New Zealand.
I thought it was compusive reading because my father who served at Dunkirk and then posted and served in Burma never ever discussed his war in as much detail as Barry's father. To me in brought out every emotion,this was written by a son and not someone like Stephen Ambrose (whose books I have read) who was a well educated and heavily qualified historian.
This I feel came from the heart and am very glad I purchased a book I found difficult to put down.
When you consider the dressing "Band of Brothers" was given and the American RAH RAH that surrounds it this is a down to earth gem.
You have to read Pegasus Bridge and then this book.
It also shows the new Britain for what it is following Wally's treatment at the hands of some of the scum that hang around our street corners.
I thought it was compusive reading because my father who served at Dunkirk and then posted and served in Burma never ever discussed his war in as much detail as Barry's father. To me in brought out every emotion,this was written by a son and not someone like Stephen Ambrose (whose books I have read) who was a well educated and heavily qualified historian.
This I feel came from the heart and am very glad I purchased a book I found difficult to put down.
When you consider the dressing "Band of Brothers" was given and the American RAH RAH that surrounds it this is a down to earth gem.
You have to read Pegasus Bridge and then this book.
It also shows the new Britain for what it is following Wally's treatment at the hands of some of the scum that hang around our street corners.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Tim H
Amazon Verified Purchase
I'd never heard of the tale of the taking of Pegasus Bridge in Normandy which was the first Allied event of D Day. We've all seen the powerful beach scenes from 'Saving Private Ryan' or 'Band of Brothers' but the story of three GLIDERS that landed within yards of Pegasus Bridge in the pitch black dead of night at around midnight at the very start of D-Day is astonishing. You couldn't make it up!
This amazing book is the story as told by Barry Parr who relates tales from his father Wally (who recently died) who was on the first glider to land. It tells of how these ordinary boys carried out an audacious, dangerous and brave operation which was crucial to the success of the 'Longest Day' all the while upholding the camaraderie and underlying humour that these young men clung to amidst the horrors of war.
'There's always one' is a well known saying and in this case Wally Parr was the 'one' and this book is full of tales of his mischief amongst the heroic deeds.
Very easy to read - well worth it.
This amazing book is the story as told by Barry Parr who relates tales from his father Wally (who recently died) who was on the first glider to land. It tells of how these ordinary boys carried out an audacious, dangerous and brave operation which was crucial to the success of the 'Longest Day' all the while upholding the camaraderie and underlying humour that these young men clung to amidst the horrors of war.
'There's always one' is a well known saying and in this case Wally Parr was the 'one' and this book is full of tales of his mischief amongst the heroic deeds.
Very easy to read - well worth it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
I am the son of a soldier that landed at Pegasus Bridge on 6-6-44.
Everything written in this book brings back memories of my childhood and the stories that my late father told.
It is a very good read and true account of what happend in those dark days.
As it says in the book, there are a thousand stories like this. But this must be one of the best. Well worth the read
Everything written in this book brings back memories of my childhood and the stories that my late father told.
It is a very good read and true account of what happend in those dark days.
As it says in the book, there are a thousand stories like this. But this must be one of the best. Well worth the read
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
An honest account of an honest man
I knew Wally Parr for several years and heard many of his war stories privately at first hand. His son Barry has documented those stories accurately and has above all else captured... Read more
Published on 21 July 2010 by a music fan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book, Fantastic Read
Having visited Normandy previously for the anniversary of the D-Day landings, and having read other books about the event, I was lookinjg forward to reading a light book to get to... Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2007 by Rachael H
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent read, funny and touching
As somebody who often goes to Normandy for the anniversary of D-day and after reading about some of Wally Parr's exploits in other books, this was a must for me to read. Read more
Published on 17 Aug 2007 by A. Bystram
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing Effort
A disappointing book that in the end tends to be more of the son than the father. That is regretable as without doubt Wally Parr was a very brave soldier who was part of an... Read more
Published on 28 Jun 2007 by Phil Wild
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