VIDEO: Billingshurst author’s new book on Gallipoli Campaign

Historian and writer Stephen Chambers has released Anzac: Sari Bair as part of his series on the Gallipoli Campaign, launched by the Allies against the Ottoman Empire in 1915.

The book, published by Pen and Sword publishers, is the fourth in the current series and is about the failure of a major Allied offensive to break through Turkish lines during the conflict.

It also comes with its own pocket guidebook of the battlefields in the offensive for people who want to go and visit the site.

He said: “It has been really enjoyable. It doesn’t make me much money but the enjoyment has become a passion.”

Although this is his fourth book in the series Stephen says that anyone who is interested can pick it up and read about this part of history.

He said: “It is aimed at those people who are interested in the battle and for those who want to learn about it.

“But I think it can be read by anybody and is written in an easy style for people to pick up.”

Stephen’s passion for this part of history stems back to when he was at school and it was on a school trip that he discovered his love for the First World War.

“I wanted to do something different so I read up on the battles of Gallipoli,” he said.

“I think there is a lot of lessons we can learn from these battles.”

As well as writing books Stephen also has a full time job and has to juggle both the writing and work which has led many to question how he fits everything in.

“People have said to me how do I find the time to do all this,”he said.

“But it is like a hobby for me. Plus it keeps me out of trouble.”

Stephen is also a trustee for the Gallipoli Association and helps to track down loved ones lost in the conflict as well as running tours of the battlefields in the summer.

It was at one of these tours that his writing career started after he met a publisher who was interested in the conflict.

Stephen said: “It was my first tour. He had travelled out there with the thought of doing a series of books on it. It was almost fate.”

Stephen is currently writing two more books which are set to be released next year in time for the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign. His current book is available to buy at www.amazon.co.uk

If you have any information to share with Stephen contact [email protected]