War’s Nomads.

Frederick Grice died in 1983 and many of his effects were kept stored for many years. Among these possessions were two diaries that he kept during his service in North Africa. His daughter, Gillian, and her husband Colin have edited these diaries to produce a very personal account of life and times during the campaign, about daily occurrences, local life and observations and the friendship he forged with fellow soldiers. There are no dramatic accounts of huge battles, but there is something about this work which makes it attractive. Perhaps it is the small details such as daily routine, like shaving and brewing tea, but it is a fascinating insight into one man’s war. We have to be grateful for family members bothering to organise the diaries instead of consigning them to the bin, which is probably the fate of other similar documents. As you read it you identify with him.