About the author
Alex Mabon was born in the
Highlands of Scotland in
1939. On completion of schooling in Inverness he had a brief spell in journalism
before enlisting in the Royal Air Force, as a Mover, due to National
Service. This extended to ten years service during which time he travelled
extensively in the
Middle East
and Far East.
On leaving the R.A.F. he was employed in various positions.
Culminating in twenty years in property and business continuity management in
the financial services industry in the City of London.
Alex is now retired and lives in Kent.
How the book came about
After completing "The Jupiter Club", an adventure story for children linking the legendry lost city of Atlantis with the intriguing Bermuda Triangle and Nevada's top secret area 51, Alex's grandson had asked him what what life was like "in the olden days." He replied with a 65000 word novel "The Lads from the Ferry". His grandson got his answer a few months later than he expected - but with a novel dedicated to him.
Alex's description of "The Lads from the Ferry" and its publishing
Although written as fiction the story has threads of my own life running through it. Life in the tough Ferry district of Inverness (hence the title), during the forties and fifties, is vividly depicted. The lads in question join the RAF in 1957 in order to avoid the Navy (they get sick on the local ferryboat) and the Army (they were expelled from the Army Cadet Force).
What follows is mayhem through square bashing, trade training at Kidbrooke, a permanent posting to Lyneham and then the dreaded El Adem. The lads are very reluctant Movers and run into trouble with the hierarchy of all three services (from the gay AOC Near East Air Force to an irate CinC Near East Fleet - due to problems on H.M.S. Eagle - and the GOC Middle East Command - problems with the Gordon Highlanders in Malta). Let us not forget the S.I.B., the lost SARBE at Lyneham, the A.O.G incident etc.
All the lads really wanted was a girlfriend - but even this proves impossible as pen friends are not quite who they appear to be. The "Dear Johns" flood in. By a stroke of luck the Chief Constable in their home town turns out to be a secret transvestite - which in the end is their saving grace.....
I trust you get the drift! This is no story of RAF heroes, just two Movements Clerks who stumble from one disaster to another. I should stress that the book is family reading, there is no swearing, no sex (although not for the want of trying) and no violence (apart from the riot at the primary school!).
Finding a publisher was not easy. Manuscripts went out the door, to be returned days, weeks, and in one case ten months later. I swear that more came back than I sent out, but perhaps I was just getting paranoid! Eventually however I wore them down and a contract was signed for "The Lads from the Ferry". The book went on sale in Scotland on 10th September 2004 and is already the best seller in Ottakers and Waterstones in parts of Scotland. There has been radio interviews, readings and book signings which I find quite bewildering.
In between completing "The Lads" story and the publication of the book, I completed the sequel entitled "The Battle of the Ferry". This picks up the lads from 1962 and introduces some more characters. A contract for the publication of the sequel, "The Battle of the Ferry" and "The Jupiter Club", is expected to be in place within the next two weeks, with publication in early 2005.
Alex Mabon - September 2004
How to get your signed copy of "The Lads from the Ferry"
For those www.rafmovs.com members who would like a copy of "The Lads from the Ferry" just complete the order form by clicking on the link below, print it off and mail it along with your remittance to the address at the bottom of the form. Once received, Alex will be delighted to send out a signed copy. Also, any Mover who places an order direct with Alex will be given details of a book he is planning to write in 2005 about life in the RAF, for which he will be seeking story lines. This is an opportunity to be mentioned as a contributor to the book.
"The Lads from the Ferry" is £9.55 including P&P within the UK and BFPO addresses or £12.25 including P&P to overseas addresses. Payment can be made in cash (GBP), UK Sterling cheque or postal orders, made payable to Mr A. Mabon.