Join us for an engaging author event featuring David Palmer, the author of the Babanango trilogy.

David will discuss his latest book, In the Ranks of Death, the second installment in the trilogy. The series, which began with A Rougher Task, explores an LGBT relationship set against the dramatic backdrop of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 and the struggle for survival.

David Palmer is a former soldier who has conducted extensive historical research to bring authenticity and depth to his storytelling. His work vividly portrays the complexities of love and conflict during a tumultuous period in history.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from David Palmer as he shares insights into his writing process, the historical context of his books, and the inspiration behind his compelling characters and narratives.

Published on 26th November 2024 - Babanango: In the Ranks of Death touches upon issues of race, class and wealth, homophobia, religion, sexual assault, and grief in a richly crafted narrative perfect for lovers of literary and historical fiction. In the Ranks of Death tells the tale of a fight for survival in the face of arduous conditions, personal sacrifice and formidable opposition to a love imperilled. Lieutenant Bond's journey resumes with him recognising his affection for his brave, loyal subordinate Jack, and a realisation that love is more important to him than his own life, perhaps even the lives of his friends and kin. Set against the backdrop of the bloody Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, Palmer deftly paints the picture of what a gay relationship might have looked like in a time when relationships of this kind were forbidden, allowing readers to experience the combined anxieties for Bond and Coleman, not only from Zulu attacks but also from the discovery within their own ranks. Drawing upon personal experience, Palmer also artfully depicts the horrors and realities of life in the field, from the hierarchical infighting to blisters and sores after days of marching. Expertly covering the topic of grief, Palmer provides readers with multiple realistic and relatable depictions, and pathos is perfectly offset by much needed catharsis, as the death toll amongst these beloved characters rises.

Blurb: “In Africa, there are no trees…” – Captain AW McGonagle As Albert and Jack finally come to embrace their affection for one another, they face the realities of love in war, sharing stolen moments together as they attempt to avoid discovery. Settling into their place in Fort Penfold, the Royal Engineers must cope on their own separated from the main body, and as the tensions of the Anglo-Zulu war begin to plague the sappers, the relationships between the troops come under strain. Balancing his familial connection to Captain McGonagle, his platonic camaraderie with lieutenants Knight and Penfold, and the displeasure of bitter Lieutenant Simonides, Albert Bond must tread delicately so as not to exacerbate growing unrest within the combined forces, whilst Jack battles to blend into the company as an enlisted soldier, and avoid animosity due to his increasing closeness with Lieutenant Bond. Will their forbidden love withstand the trials and tribulations of war, anger, and grief? 

The author says: “In book two, we confront the reality that war engenders pain, loss, inhumanity, and ruthlessness rather than gold braid, laurel wreaths or medals. We will see Bond's ashamed rejection of his controversial uncle – derided, and unsuccessful poet Captain AW McGonagle – develop as Bond begins to know the man behind the myth, challenge his own friendships, loyalties, and priorities, and reassess his life, just before it changes forever… The real-life inspiration for McGonagle was often misread by those who knew him less well than they imagined. A straight, worldly, gruffly kind but undiplomatic self-made man, who had been built and broken by circumstance and tragedy, he was the paternal friend and ally to an 18-year-old who needed to share his truth with an authority figure at a time when their respective ranks and stations discouraged such disclosure. That authority figure became both friend and father. He would live to see the boy become a man, and to witness his walk down the aisle in dress blues and marry another man, before the curse of dementia claimed his brilliant brain and cast his wisdom into shadow. When we are discovering who we are and what we might become in this world, the external family, often no more of our choosing than those of our blood, sometimes makes our life pathway navigable. Growth, love, loss, and transition are the themes for Bond and Coleman, for McGonagle and Flambard and, in their very different way and to a very different outcome, for Simonides, too. Like the 'Minstrel Boy' of the ballad, two of these men will take their places in the ranks of death before this second instalment of the Babanango trilogy is over, and the consequences will shake the survivors to thereafter…” Published by Cranthorpe Millner Publishers, In the Ranks of Death (ISBN: 978-1-80378-245-4) is published on 26th November 2024 and is available in paperback (£10.99) and Kindle format. Waterstones | Amazon | Cranthorpe 

Millner About the author: DJG Palmer was born in Kent to a pre-war father, who believed boys should explore castles and read books about knights and pirates, rather than play computer games or watch videos, so he grew up playing around ruins and reading dog-eared Ladybird history books. At the age of eight, he opened his grandfather's chest in the attic to discover the baton, pips, and medals of a WW2 army officer, and came to understand the grim realities that lay behind the martial emblems bestowed upon those who survive their service. It was during his time in the army, in his early years of manhood, that DJG Palmer embarked upon writing Babanango, resulting in fellowships of the Anglo-Zulu War Historical and Royal Geographical Societies, despite a lack of formal further education. He then set aside the military, and military fiction, for a career in policing, and later found love with a wonderful man, the love and bedrock of his life. The death of a friend, mentor, and former army officer moved him to dust off the Babanango manuscript and revisit its contents, reawakening the untold story of the men who must have lived, loved, and died together in secret, serving in the armed forces. This story is for those men, whoever they were, and the friends and allies who had their backs.