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Beach to the Baltic: A Rifleman's Story
This humorous, thought-provoking and poignant story shows what it was truly like for those brave young men who answered the call in 1939. The semi-autobiographical, historical novel was taken from the memoirs of a rifleman who served during World War Two in a London Battalion of The Rifle Brigade. It covers a six-year period from enlistment to demobilisation and gives a 'fly on the wall' view of a conscripted soldier, and all that that entails. As well as the cut and thrust of battles and the brutality of war it also focuses on the gloomiest days for Britain, when she and her subjugated allies stood alone against the might of the German war machine. Born and bred in Camberwell, south of the River Thames, our hero Ronald Deakin relishes the chance to do his bit for King and Country, just as his father and uncle did in 1914. The day after his eighteenth birthday this chapel boy visits his local recruiting office, rather than wait for his call-up papers. Youngest of two sons he dotes on his widowed mother and loves the city of his birth and the Londoner's carefree outlook on life, a facet that comes through strongly in his story. His attitude to war changes dramatically once he experiences the horrors of Normandy and the bloody battles that follow. Sadly, many of his friends succumb during the bitter struggle, and he must draw on hidden reserves to help him survive, mentally as well as physically. Watching his friends fall around him fills him with immense sorrow and gives him much to reflect on. But as time goes on this young man grows in stature, confidence and an unquenchable desire to survive his war.
370 pages, Paperback
Published April 12, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 30, 2018
Book Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.com
Eyewitness based narratives such as these are always valuable as so many of our war combatants returned home and said nothing about their experience. Some because they did not want to relive the unpleasantness, others because they considered their achievements to be nothing out of the ordinary. After all they were individually just one of around 3.5 million UK men to bear arms in the Second World War.
Ronald Deakin took part in some serious fighting as his unit moved across Europe from Normandy to Schleswig-Holstein in 1944-1945 giving us some close up action but the real value of this book is the day to day experience of army life which we do not usually get in a war novel. Like many others Albert had to wait some time before taking part in any serious fighting and he spent four years in the UK either training or quietly manning coastal defences before he went to France. Beach to the Baltic provides interesting coverage of a soldier’s everyday concerns such as accommodation, food and laundry as well as keeping good health and coping with boredom. Along the way there are a number of laddish events as would be expected among such a group of young men and some side stories that appear similar to those from other war recollections.
Paul Talbot’s introductory notes raise questions as to how auto-biographical this work is. Although the lead character is called Ronald his story appears to closely follow that of the author, Albert Talbot. The narrative appears authentic and although it has, to some extent been edited it still has a very real feel to it. I do not know how rough the original notes were and whether they would make reasonable reading on their own but it would be interesting to see them.
One term puzzled me a little and that was the use of the word Laager when describing a temporary camp or corral in a battle zone. This Afrikaans word’s definition clearly fits its use but it is not a term that I have read in other British War literature, either fact or fiction.
I found Beach to the Baltic to be an easy and entertaining read. What it lacks in writing style and plot is more than matched by the authenticity of the true life experiences of one of our many heroes. I have awarded four stars.
Eyewitness based narratives such as these are always valuable as so many of our war combatants returned home and said nothing about their experience. Some because they did not want to relive the unpleasantness, others because they considered their achievements to be nothing out of the ordinary. After all they were individually just one of around 3.5 million UK men to bear arms in the Second World War.
Ronald Deakin took part in some serious fighting as his unit moved across Europe from Normandy to Schleswig-Holstein in 1944-1945 giving us some close up action but the real value of this book is the day to day experience of army life which we do not usually get in a war novel. Like many others Albert had to wait some time before taking part in any serious fighting and he spent four years in the UK either training or quietly manning coastal defences before he went to France. Beach to the Baltic provides interesting coverage of a soldier’s everyday concerns such as accommodation, food and laundry as well as keeping good health and coping with boredom. Along the way there are a number of laddish events as would be expected among such a group of young men and some side stories that appear similar to those from other war recollections.
Paul Talbot’s introductory notes raise questions as to how auto-biographical this work is. Although the lead character is called Ronald his story appears to closely follow that of the author, Albert Talbot. The narrative appears authentic and although it has, to some extent been edited it still has a very real feel to it. I do not know how rough the original notes were and whether they would make reasonable reading on their own but it would be interesting to see them.
One term puzzled me a little and that was the use of the word Laager when describing a temporary camp or corral in a battle zone. This Afrikaans word’s definition clearly fits its use but it is not a term that I have read in other British War literature, either fact or fiction.
I found Beach to the Baltic to be an easy and entertaining read. What it lacks in writing style and plot is more than matched by the authenticity of the true life experiences of one of our many heroes. I have awarded four stars.
January 21, 2018
‘London Town’ Her steadfastness, unquenchable optimism and ‘never say die’ spirit proved an inspiration to the rest of the free world.
Albert Talbot (1914 – 1994) elected to write the core of this autobiographical novel (he elected to make his presence known as ‘Ronald Deakin’) as a means to both honor the good memories of army pals and experiences during WW II and place on paper the horrors of war, hoping to provide closure to the pains he witnessed and endured. An eager volunteer for the military in 1940, was in the heart of the action of the war until 1946 when he returned to civilian life, his family, and his career as a menswear shop manager. His memoirs were discovered by his son Paul Talbot who has polished his father’s writings into an excellent tale of not only WW II but also what life is like as a recruit and a soldier and a survivor.
The book is so beautifully written, rich in the flavors of the period, the at times comical aspects of boot camp, the horrors of struggling to survive in war zones and battles that claimed the lives of friends and colleagues, and the (what we now term PTSD) challenges of returning home to life after the war.
For this reader, having completed the novel, the Preface written by Albert’s son Paul combines not only the rich story of the book but adds a personal reality to the total perspective. It is offered here out of respect for both Albert and Paul: ‘Albert Talbot, known to his family and friends as Bert and his army pals as Loft or Lofty wrote this account of his experiences during the Second World War as a way of exorcising his demons. Like many who served during conflict he was troubled by what he had seen and done, and his subsequent return to civilian life was not an easy one. His manuscript remained hidden for years until it came to light when clearing the family home after my mother went into a care home. It then languished in my loft, but for the odd occasion when I read through the first half dozen pages. I don’t know why I didn’t persevere, but finally last week I read his complete story, loving it so much that I wanted to share it with others. His use of army slang, East End dialect and Cockney rhyming slang gives this semi-autobiographical historical novel a certain earthy, humorous quality. Also, his admiration for those who endured so much during the London blitz offers a rather unique insight into life in London at the time, along with how serving men and women came to terms with the fact that their families were risking their lives day in and day out. His liberal use of names and nicknames was done to help the reader identify with each character and to make them appear real and vulnerable. The names he used are wholly fictitious and bear no resemblance to the actual lads he shared his war with. As I read about his experiences, so realistic and traumatic the years seemed to melt away, and I was again that child asking his father what he did during the war. My one abiding memory was when I asked him that very question. He answered, ‘I went back to sort things out after Dunkirk’, and I in my innocence replied, ‘you mean you went to pick up the helmets and rifles?’ Many of the things he wrote about were just as he told them to me, plus others he omitted to put in his story, which I have taken the liberty of including. I have no doubt in my mind that much of this story is a real account of his war service from enlistment to demob, in the guise of a Londoner called Ronald Deakin. I was determined that one day it would be published, and set about editing it myself. I have stayed true to his work and memory, and have kept all his original storyline. For me this has been a labour of love, judiciously working through his manuscript and making it available to others. Paul Talbot – September 2015’ At book’s end are pages of Army terms, jargon, slang, and London colloquialisms
Albert’s memoirs begin - ‘The morning train from Waterloo squealed to a halt. ‘Wilchester!’ the lady guard called. ‘All change!’ The carriage doors flew open and out tumbled a mass of eager, jostling would-be recruits. Dark wavy-haired Ronald Deakin looked around, trying to locate the whereabouts of his newfound friends whom he had temporarily lost in the human scrimmage. A hotchpotch of civilians, some carrying small cases, others with holdalls, laughing and chattering surged along the platform. Assorted pinstripe suits, tweed jackets, silver grey Oxford-bags, tightly belted off-white Macintoshes and a couple of black and white Al Capone trilbies surrounded and almost overwhelmed the ticket collector. An immediate hush descended as they emerged into brilliant sunshine, where three army lorries with tailboards down waited in the station forecourt. A tall, willowy soldier stood beside the first lorry. Wearing three black and gold stripes on his right arm, he was endeavouring to secure some semblance of order. The small silver cap badge in the centre of his khaki whipcord forage cap, along with black regimental buttons and greenish black lanyard complimented his excellent turnout. ‘All men for the Rifle Depot this way,’ he said, inviting the now pleasantly surprised civilians to climb aboard.’
Read this exceptional book for all the sensitive observations of the effects of war on soldiers: perhaps a response to end the ongoing current wars around the globe will result! BEACH TO THE BALTIC will become one of the significant and important books about war in literature. Highly Recommended.
Albert Talbot (1914 – 1994) elected to write the core of this autobiographical novel (he elected to make his presence known as ‘Ronald Deakin’) as a means to both honor the good memories of army pals and experiences during WW II and place on paper the horrors of war, hoping to provide closure to the pains he witnessed and endured. An eager volunteer for the military in 1940, was in the heart of the action of the war until 1946 when he returned to civilian life, his family, and his career as a menswear shop manager. His memoirs were discovered by his son Paul Talbot who has polished his father’s writings into an excellent tale of not only WW II but also what life is like as a recruit and a soldier and a survivor.
The book is so beautifully written, rich in the flavors of the period, the at times comical aspects of boot camp, the horrors of struggling to survive in war zones and battles that claimed the lives of friends and colleagues, and the (what we now term PTSD) challenges of returning home to life after the war.
For this reader, having completed the novel, the Preface written by Albert’s son Paul combines not only the rich story of the book but adds a personal reality to the total perspective. It is offered here out of respect for both Albert and Paul: ‘Albert Talbot, known to his family and friends as Bert and his army pals as Loft or Lofty wrote this account of his experiences during the Second World War as a way of exorcising his demons. Like many who served during conflict he was troubled by what he had seen and done, and his subsequent return to civilian life was not an easy one. His manuscript remained hidden for years until it came to light when clearing the family home after my mother went into a care home. It then languished in my loft, but for the odd occasion when I read through the first half dozen pages. I don’t know why I didn’t persevere, but finally last week I read his complete story, loving it so much that I wanted to share it with others. His use of army slang, East End dialect and Cockney rhyming slang gives this semi-autobiographical historical novel a certain earthy, humorous quality. Also, his admiration for those who endured so much during the London blitz offers a rather unique insight into life in London at the time, along with how serving men and women came to terms with the fact that their families were risking their lives day in and day out. His liberal use of names and nicknames was done to help the reader identify with each character and to make them appear real and vulnerable. The names he used are wholly fictitious and bear no resemblance to the actual lads he shared his war with. As I read about his experiences, so realistic and traumatic the years seemed to melt away, and I was again that child asking his father what he did during the war. My one abiding memory was when I asked him that very question. He answered, ‘I went back to sort things out after Dunkirk’, and I in my innocence replied, ‘you mean you went to pick up the helmets and rifles?’ Many of the things he wrote about were just as he told them to me, plus others he omitted to put in his story, which I have taken the liberty of including. I have no doubt in my mind that much of this story is a real account of his war service from enlistment to demob, in the guise of a Londoner called Ronald Deakin. I was determined that one day it would be published, and set about editing it myself. I have stayed true to his work and memory, and have kept all his original storyline. For me this has been a labour of love, judiciously working through his manuscript and making it available to others. Paul Talbot – September 2015’ At book’s end are pages of Army terms, jargon, slang, and London colloquialisms
Albert’s memoirs begin - ‘The morning train from Waterloo squealed to a halt. ‘Wilchester!’ the lady guard called. ‘All change!’ The carriage doors flew open and out tumbled a mass of eager, jostling would-be recruits. Dark wavy-haired Ronald Deakin looked around, trying to locate the whereabouts of his newfound friends whom he had temporarily lost in the human scrimmage. A hotchpotch of civilians, some carrying small cases, others with holdalls, laughing and chattering surged along the platform. Assorted pinstripe suits, tweed jackets, silver grey Oxford-bags, tightly belted off-white Macintoshes and a couple of black and white Al Capone trilbies surrounded and almost overwhelmed the ticket collector. An immediate hush descended as they emerged into brilliant sunshine, where three army lorries with tailboards down waited in the station forecourt. A tall, willowy soldier stood beside the first lorry. Wearing three black and gold stripes on his right arm, he was endeavouring to secure some semblance of order. The small silver cap badge in the centre of his khaki whipcord forage cap, along with black regimental buttons and greenish black lanyard complimented his excellent turnout. ‘All men for the Rifle Depot this way,’ he said, inviting the now pleasantly surprised civilians to climb aboard.’
Read this exceptional book for all the sensitive observations of the effects of war on soldiers: perhaps a response to end the ongoing current wars around the globe will result! BEACH TO THE BALTIC will become one of the significant and important books about war in literature. Highly Recommended.
August 31, 2020
As a former serviceman myself, I have great respect for those that served in major conflicts. That said I have to recount my views of this as a novel. That is the major issue here, whether this is a novel or an account of the author's service. Here it falls between the two. As a novel, it lacks a strong main character and the lesser characters become more dominate at times. For me, it would work much better as a true account of the service history. The correct names should have been used and there could have been photographs, maps and diagrams.
2 stars only for me.
2 stars only for me.
June 6, 2020
Brilliant
Loved reading this semi autobiographic tale a soldier's life during World war two.No glorified heroics just an honest recounting of war seen from a squaddies point of view.
Loved reading this semi autobiographic tale a soldier's life during World war two.No glorified heroics just an honest recounting of war seen from a squaddies point of view.
January 26, 2018
There is a special bond between those who have gone through tragic situations together. As Albert Talbot recounts his experiences during war time, you can easily picture the men he is referring to in the story. You feel sad when his buddies suffer, or grieved over villagers who lost so much, yet still had the will power to overlook their plight in life.
“There’s nothing noble about death. It’s messy, painful and final.” That was from an uncle who felt duty bound to put an officer out of his misery after sustaining a deadly injury. He struggled with doing the humane thing and either letting the man slowing die or helping him, both choices would have haunted the man for the rest of his life. He explains that despite all the horror of the war, the comradeship of the four years he spent fighting where the most important four years of his life.
War has taught multiple lessons that few of our generation understand. And those that do understand find our lives empty and void of a deeper purpose, yet they wouldn’t wish anyone the experiences they had to encounter. Excellent read, I am a bit squeamish about gory details though.
“There’s nothing noble about death. It’s messy, painful and final.” That was from an uncle who felt duty bound to put an officer out of his misery after sustaining a deadly injury. He struggled with doing the humane thing and either letting the man slowing die or helping him, both choices would have haunted the man for the rest of his life. He explains that despite all the horror of the war, the comradeship of the four years he spent fighting where the most important four years of his life.
War has taught multiple lessons that few of our generation understand. And those that do understand find our lives empty and void of a deeper purpose, yet they wouldn’t wish anyone the experiences they had to encounter. Excellent read, I am a bit squeamish about gory details though.
February 21, 2018
Anything WW2 related and I am hooked, this book was no different. It has everything you would hope for, a little bit of humor, some harsh reality, and some brotherhood bonding. I do appreciate, like with some war stories, they do not romanticise it. To me, that tells me it was written by someone with first hand experience and more interested in telling their story rather than selling their story.
Albert Talbot wrote this story for all the right reasons and honored those he fought with, by this gentle telling of what really happened. He explains the true horrors he had experienced, as well as some of the relationships built. What I appreciate most about his writing is how honest he is and it comes off that way. You feel as if you are journeying through the experiences with him and hoping for him from afar.
For these reasons, I would certainly suggest this book to anyone who has desire to go to war, join the military, or learn more about what happens when soldiers leave home.
Albert Talbot wrote this story for all the right reasons and honored those he fought with, by this gentle telling of what really happened. He explains the true horrors he had experienced, as well as some of the relationships built. What I appreciate most about his writing is how honest he is and it comes off that way. You feel as if you are journeying through the experiences with him and hoping for him from afar.
For these reasons, I would certainly suggest this book to anyone who has desire to go to war, join the military, or learn more about what happens when soldiers leave home.
March 10, 2018
For me, an interesting read. The book deals with the everyday, mundane activities of average soldiers as they prepared for and engaged in the final Allied effort for Northern Europe during WWII.
I am a retired American soldier. Served in Vietnam and Desert Storm. I enjoyed reading about my British counterparts of an earlier campaign.
I am a retired American soldier. Served in Vietnam and Desert Storm. I enjoyed reading about my British counterparts of an earlier campaign.
June 5, 2020
Well worth reading
Although a little choppy in sequence, this was a thoroughly enjoyable book. The characters were well drawn and likeable. Sometimes the switching between a character's real name and nickname was confusing but did not distract from the story.
Although a little choppy in sequence, this was a thoroughly enjoyable book. The characters were well drawn and likeable. Sometimes the switching between a character's real name and nickname was confusing but did not distract from the story.
November 5, 2021
Across Europe in a Bren Carrier.
It took you right there and held you right up to the very sad parting of the brothers in arms. Anyone wanting to find out how a normal down to earth brit behaves in a war then this is the right book for you.
It took you right there and held you right up to the very sad parting of the brothers in arms. Anyone wanting to find out how a normal down to earth brit behaves in a war then this is the right book for you.
June 2, 2018
Just a regular guy.
A story for the regular bloke at heart without the bust and glory.
The Brit perspective of where and how.
A story for the regular bloke at heart without the bust and glory.
The Brit perspective of where and how.
May 31, 2020
Great story!
I enjoyed reading this. Being an American it brought home that we are all the same no matter you come from. Well written!! I highly recommend it.
I enjoyed reading this. Being an American it brought home that we are all the same no matter you come from. Well written!! I highly recommend it.
April 28, 2021
Fascinating story of a civilian to a worthy soldier
Following in my fathers footsteps, from D day to Germany .
It brought back many memories for me. So much so, I cried.
Following in my fathers footsteps, from D day to Germany .
It brought back many memories for me. So much so, I cried.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews