The Flying Ensign: Greencoats Against Napoleon

by Showell Styles

Two novels in one volume: The Flying Ensign (first published in 1960) and Byrd of the 95th (first published in 1962):

Britain's challenge to Napoleon, who has taken over Europe and now seeks to subdue Spain, provides the background for the two complete books in this volume. A small British army under Sir John Moore, in the winter of 1808, makes an audacious strike through the rugged mountains of Leon. Into this factual historical scenario, Showell Styles places the captivating fictional character of Ensign Peter Byrd. Joined by various and colorful companions, the youthful mountaineer from Cumberland, proves his mettle as an innovative thinker and leader. The next summer in Greencoats Against Napoleon (also known as Byrd of the 95th), an urgent plea from Anita, a Spanish damsel-patriot, and her father catapult Byrd once again into action and trouble. Issues of crucial military importance as well as questions of personal honor center on the nearly impregnable fortress, "El Cuchillo," where they reveal strength of character, awakening love, and all-round resourcefulness.

Genres: Historical Fiction

340 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2003

About the author

Aka Glyn Carr

Frank Showell Styles was a Welsh writer and mountaineer.

Showell Styles was born in Four Oaks, Birmingham and was educated at Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, Sutton Coldfield. Known to his friends as 'Pip', Showell Styles' childhood was spent in the hills of North Wales where he became an avid mountaineer and explorer. During the Second World War, Styles joined the Royal Navy and was posted in the Mediterranean, but even there he walked and climbed as much as he could.

An aspiring writer, Styles already had articles published in Punch, before setting out to make his living as an author. His first novel, Traitor’s Mountain, was a murder mystery set on and around Tryfan in Wales. He became a prolific writer with over 160 books published for children as well as adults. In addition to historic naval adventure fiction such as the Midshipman Quinn and Lieutenant Michael Fitton series set during the Napoleonic Wars, and non-fiction works on mountains and such as The Mountaineer’s Weekend Book, he wrote detective fiction under the pseudonym of Glyn Carr, and humorous pieces as C.L. Inker.

For walkers visiting Snowdonia for the first time, Styles' The Mountains of North Wales is monumentally inspirational, written by a sure hand and with a firm conviction and love of these mountains.