Synopsis
A father presents as an English gentleman and war hero to his wife and subsequent children who catch up with the truth of the impoverished Welsh beginnings only after his death. His daughter ponders this singular life in the context of a changing Britain in the 20th century.
Major Bill Probert emerged from the Second World War a decorated war hero, a gifted linguist in the Intelligence Corps. He met the love of his life, a beautiful Oxford graduate, when they were both posted to the Allied Control Commission occupying Vienna in 1945. He was a cultured and ambitious Englishman, with no living family of his own.
After a successful international business career, Bill retires at 59, only to reinvent himself first as a fly fisherman and farmer in Wales, and then - for the last decade of his life - as a resident of the Béarn, lover of the Pyrénées and everything French.
Four months after he was buried in St Faust de Haut a letter arrives for him, announcing that his nephew Denzil, from Brecon in Wales, has finally found him, and is coming to visit. Bill's wife and children were about to learn that Bill began life as Roy, in an impoverished Welsh mining family in the Rhondda. His mother and three siblings were alive and well when his children were born.
Why did Roy decide to become Bill and erase Wales and his family? Thirty years after his death it was time to unearth his many secrets. This is the story of a daughter's hunt for her perplexing and unpredictable father.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
BELINDA PROBERT is the author of books about Northern Ireland, gender equity, and working lives in Australia. Her most recent book Imaginative Possession: Learning to Live in the Antipodes, describes her attempts to understand the landscapes of Australia and the people who have shaped them.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Search results for Bill's Secrets: Class War and Ambition
Stock Image
Bill's Secrets: Class War and Ambition
Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_473020806
Stock Image
Bill's Secrets: Class War and Ambition
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: As New. No Jacket. Pages are clean and are not marred by notes or folds of any kind. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0645984043I2N00
Stock Image
Bill's Secrets: Class War and Ambition
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR014877393
Buy Used
£ 12.72
£ 5.60 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
Bill's Secrets (Paperback)
Seller: Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. A father presents as an English gentleman and war hero to his wife and subsequent children who catch up with the truth of the impoverished Welsh beginnings only after his death. His daughter ponders this singular life in the context of a changing Britain in the 20th century.Major Bill Probert emerged from the Second World War a decorated war hero, a gifted linguist in the Intelligence Corps. He met the love of his life, a beautiful Oxford graduate, when they were both posted to the Allied Control Commission occupying Vienna in 1945. He was a cultured and ambitious Englishman, with no living family of his own.After a successful international business career, Bill retires at 59, only to reinvent himself first as a fly fisherman and farmer in Wales, and then - for the last decade of his life - as a resident of the Bearn, lover of the Pyrenees and everything French.Four months after he was buried in St Faust de Haut a letter arrives for him, announcing that his nephew Denzil, from Brecon in Wales, has finally found him, and is coming to visit. Bill's wife and children were about to learn that Bill began life as Roy, in an impoverished Welsh mining family in the Rhondda. His mother and three siblings were alive and well when his children were born.Why did Roy decide to become Bill and erase Wales and his family? Thirty years after his death it was time to unearth his many secrets. This is the story of a daughter's hunt for her perplexing and unpredictable father. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780645984040
Stock Image
Bill's Secrets: Class War and Ambition
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Bill's Secrets: Class War and Ambition This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780645984040
Buy Used
£ 17.04
£ 4.12 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Bill's Secrets: Class War and Ambition
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780645984040
Buy Used
£ 17.04
£ 6.98 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Bill's Secrets: Class War and Ambition
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 49311829-n
Seller Image
Bill's Secrets: Class War and Ambition (Paperback or Softback)
Published by
Upswell 1/7/2025, 2025
ISBN 10: 0645984043
ISBN 13: 9780645984040
New
Paperback or Softback
Seller: BargainBookStores, Grand Rapids, MI, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback or Softback. Condition: New. Bill's Secrets: Class War and Ambition. Book. Seller Inventory # BBS-9780645984040
Stock Image
Bill's Secrets: Class War and Ambition
Seller: California Books, Miami, FL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # I-9780645984040
Stock Image
Bill's Secrets: Class War and Ambition
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: As New. Unread book in perfect condition. Seller Inventory # 49311829