Pre-order the captivating story from military memorabilia and medal expert Mark Smith, about his father's war and the stories that fueled Mark's lasting fascination. Sunday evenings wouldn't be complete without Mark Smith on Antiques Roadshow. Seeing beyond the military memorabilia shared by members of the public to the often deeply moving human stories at their core, Mark brings the past vividly to life for millions at home and has become something of a national treasure.

Historian, battlefield tour guide, expert on the Victoria Cross, and storyteller, Mark grew up in a close-knit, multi-generational family in Walthamstow, during a childhood immersed in history. His rare empathy for the experiences and sacrifices of past generations was nurtured by Mark's WWII veteran father, who shared stories of flying special operations for the RAF. But Smith Sr. was also haunted by the loss of his best friend, Harry, on a secret mission over the Indian Ocean.

From the pages of his father’s unpublished wartime memoir to a pilgrimage to a Chennai cemetery, here Mark takes us on his most personal journey, aiming to bring closure to his father’s story. Nostalgic and heartfelt, Medal Man is the true story of a bygone East London, of a father and son who were also best friends, and of the memories that still connect us to this Greatest Generation.

Pages: 336, Year of Publication: 0102, Dimensions: 16.4x16.4cm