GENTLEMAN Jim, the wartime story of a founder of the SAS by Lorna Almonds Windmill, is a true story of love and danger, of courage, high drama and amazing survival against the odds. And the story of the real beginnings of the Special Air Service.

Set in wartime England, the western desert Italy and France, the story captures for the first time the real spirit of the young soldiers at war in the newly emerging SAS.

"Gentleman Jim" Almonds, a sergeant in the Guards Commandos, sailed for the Middle East as part of "Layforce" in January 1941, with David Stirling and others destined to become SAS "originals".

After intense training in the desert and action at Tobruk, Jalo Oasis, Nofelia and Benghazi, Almonds was captured and shipped to a PoW camp in Italy, from which he managed to escape. After 32 days on the run, he managed to reach US forces at the Benevento front line. Later, in 1944, he parachuted into France to disrupt road and rail links. Based on "Gentleman Jim" diaries -- which he kept to be sent to his wife should he fail to return -- the detail of action is vivid and immediate. Lorna Almonds Windmill is the daughter of "Gentleman Jim", and is herself a former Regular Army Captain. (Constable £18.99). GENTLEMAN Jim, the wartime story of a founder of the SAS by Lorna Almonds Windmill, is a true story of love and danger, of courage, high drama and amazing survival against the odds. And the story of the real beginnings of the Special Air Service.

Set in wartime England, the Western Desert, Italy and France, the story effectively captures the real spirit of the young soldiers at war in the newly emerging SAS.

"Gentleman Jim" Almonds, a sergeant in the Guards Commandos, sailed for the Middle East as part of "Layforce" in January 1941, with David Stirling and others destined to become SAS "originals".

After intense training in the desert and action at Tobruk, Jalo Oasis, Nofelia and Benghazi, Almonds was captured and shipped to a PoW camp in Italy, from which he managed to escape. After 32 days on the run, he managed to reach US forces at the Benevento front line. Later, in 1944, he parachuted into France to disrupt road and rail links. Based on "Gentleman Jim" diaries -- which he kept to be sent to his wife should he fail to return -- the detail of action is vivid and immediate. Lorna Almonds Windmill is the daughter of "Gentleman Jim", and is herself a former Regular Army Captain. (Constable £18.99).