Scott Eathorne Quikmark Media
Author Cate Davis first discovered her father’s diaries from World War One when the family home was being cleared out following the death of the last of his siblings. Although the entries were very terse, after reading them many times Cate felt that there was a story in them that should be told.
The forthcoming book, From Gallipoli to Coopers Creek (15 November 2015) is a reminder of the devastation of war, and through diary entries tell the story of how Lieutenant Bruce Campbell, like many other men in this era, struggled with fitting back into a society where the civilians were still thinking in terms of their pre-war society.
Bruce records his first shot in his diary – far from the first time he had fired a gun, but it was the first time he had deliberately fired a shot with the intent of killing another human being. The evacuation of Gallipoli, then the inept defeat at Gaza and the realisation that he had to become a completely different person to be able to obey the orders he was given weighed heavily on his soul. And upon his return, being left by his fiancée who no longer recognises the man who left for War.
This biographical novel is about his struggles to overcome all these adversities. Bruce finally falls in love with a woman who has also been adversely affected by the war and has her own obstacles to overcome. Between them, they carve out a happy and meaningful life on the block of land Bruce has been granted under the Soldier Settlement Scheme. From Gallipoli to Coopers Creek is a heart-warming story about the legacy of the war and the healing power of love
Her first book was a children’s book, Polly Platypus, which was made available to charities and has raised over $15,000. Her second book, Great Granny B was a biography of her husband’s aunt who was the first Welfare Officer to be appointed for migrants after the Second World War.
