Book Title: Unknown Warrior
Author: Mike Rosel
ISBN: 978 1 78346 394 7
Category: Biography
Format: Hardback
Summary: This book is a biography of Robert Alexander Little the Australian Royal Naval Air Service pilot who is the Highest Scoring Aussie Pilot from both WW1 & WW2 combined. He is ranked 8th Overall in the list of British & Commonwealth Aces from WW1
Mike Rosel's really excellent book was first published in Australia back in 2012 but this new edition has been published by Pen & Sword books in the UK.
Rosel was fortunate to obtain Little's actual Log Book which covers up to the end of July 1917. Sadly any other log books have gone missing.
Rosel not only draws on the comments of other RNAS pilots such as Titch Rochford, Minifie & Regie Soar who was Little's wingman but also his Squadron Commander Ray Collishaw but paints a picture of the mood in & of Australians to the War. He also interviewed members of Little's widow Vera's family from her second marriage in 1925. There is great insights into Little's character & his attitude to Airfighting. In addition there is a listing of Little's victories compiled by Norman Franks & an additional chapter telling of the discovery of the Gladstone Bag full of Little Artefacts found on a country tip in Texas Queensland which are now resident at the Fleet Air Arm museum at Nowra in New South Wales, Australia.
There are a range of photographs including his Helmet, Goggles etc at the Museum.
I rate this book extremely highly & it is currently available from the Book Depository in the UK at 50% off normal RRP.
Bookmarks