By Phil Coleman

Published at 11:56, Wednesday, 20 March 2013

A former comic book scriptwriter is about to publish his third book – a fictionalised account of four young Carlisle men as they head off to war.

Ted Beckett

Terence ‘Ted’ Beckett has already been praised for his earlier book The Cannibal Mouse, which charts his early life in Botcherby.

His latest book – Dirty Old War – is a brutally honest account of how the three young friends – all members of the Territorial Army at the outbreak of World War Two – cope with both the looming conflict and their hopes for sexual adventure.

The story also charts the experiences of a young sailor from the city.

Though fictionalised, the book pulls no punches when it comes to describing the horrors of war encountered by the soldiers as they arrive in France with the British Expeditionary Force.

One section reads: “The whole scene was crucible of pure blood soaked horror, and for them this was just the start; the start of a nightmare.

“Will’s heart sunk still further. Ron had been laughing and joking just a few moments earlier. Frantically, he searched for him, loudly calling Ron’s name.”

Ted, 69, of Warnell Drive, Harraby, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed writing this book, which took me eight months to complete.

“It’s about the experiences of four young lads from Carlisle, aged 17 and 18.

“I worked all my life in sales but for a year I was a scriptwriter for Twinkle magazine for girls published by DC Thomson.

“I’ve also always written poems and a couple of years ago published a book of 150 poems which sold well locally. This latest book is based on stories that I used to hear my dad and his mates tell about the British Expeditionary Force going to war in 1939.

“There are mentions of Carlisle and bits and pieces about real people.

“I originally set out to write a proper factual account but fictionalising it allowed me to make it more interesting.”

Dirty Old War, at £8.99, will be available via Amazon.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk