Alan MacDonald

Alan MacDonald was born in 1951. He was educated first at a Primary School which shared a wall with Brixton Prison and later at a large Public School in South London. None of those formative educational years made a blind bit of difference to his chosen career and he spent a decade as a modestly successful rock and roll bass player. He then moved seamlessly into politics as any decent bass player should. After six years, during which time he reached the elevated heights of National Elections Co-ordinator for a major political party, he moved into market research, in spite of having no experience in the subject and a very poor maths O-level grade. It couldn't last and it didn't.

Needing something to do he started to research the First World War. In 2006 his first book appeared 'Pro Patria Mori - the 56th (1st London) Division at Gommecourt, 1st July 1916'. Flushed with pride but very few sales, he moved on, in 2008, to write 'A Lack of Offensive Spirit? The 46th (North Midland) Division at Gommecourt, 1st July 1916'. So, no change in date for the subject matter and barely any change in geography. Less than a mile in fact. A revised and enlarged version of 'Pro Patria Mori' escaped in 2008. In 2014, his most recent book was published. The date will be familiar only the subject matter's location has changed. This time, a few miles south. 'Z Day, 1st July 1916, the attack of the VIII Corps at Beaumont Hamel and Serre' will be the first of a series of books which will complete his analysis of what was the worst and costliest day in the history of the British Army. The others will appear at random intervals over the next few years.