Inverness man becomes author at 90 to share stories from his army days post-WWII
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An Inverness man has become a debut author at the age of 90, where he shares tales from his time in the army after World War II.
Keith Irving, who has lived in the Loch Ness and Inverness area for over 60 years, decided to write a book after his grandchildren asked him for stories about his time in the army. Some 15 years later, his grandaughter got his book – titled The Reluctant Soldier: Two Years Out – published for him, to celebrate his 90th birthday in August.
Keith said: "I wrote it about 10-15 years ago on my word processor. Only because the grandchildren used to say ‘What did you do in the army grandad?’ so I thought I'd write it down and leave it for them.
"I left home when I was 21 to join the army as a mechanic, just after WWII – everything was in turmoil then, it was a good time to write about. You adopted the fact that you had to be there, and there was no complaining about it. You had to do what you were told, even if you disagreed with it.
"I wouldn’t say that I enjoyed it, but when I think about my time in the army now, there were over two million people doing national service, and they were all reluctant! That's why I titled it The Reluctant Soldier, because I didn’t want to go in!"
After his time in the army, Mr Irving worked for fuel company Esso, where he was in charge of a depot in the Longman.
Mr Irving said: "I was a bit apprehensive about reading my book after it was published, in case I’d said something I maybe shouldn’t have – but I enjoyed it!"
Despite being named his 'fiercest critic' by Keith, his wife Margaret (91) said: "Its very well written. Its very good, it’s excellent."
Keith added: "She hasn’t complained about it, and she would tell me!
"My granddaughter who works for Amazon in America got it all organised, and she sends me the books. She did the foreword and draft for me too, she's very well educated, and has a PhD too!
"I’ve sold about 20 books myself around here in Inverness, and people do seem to enjoy them."
Keith, who has four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, explained his plans to celebrate his 90th birthday: "We are going to the Snow Goose to celebrate. My grandson who was a guitarist and singer for Mànran is coming up from Glasgow with his girlfriend as well.
"Lots of my family live in Australia and America now, but my second son lives two doors down from me, which is very handy for us because they look after us very well. It's nice having the family nearby, they are very good to us."
n The Reluctant Soldier: Two Years Out by Keith Irving is now available to purchase on Amazon.
