by Alan Quick

JAMIE Fleming, who lived in Crediton, passed away on Good Friday last year following an accident involving his motorcycle and a lorry on the A487 Felindre Farchog to Cardigan Road in Wales.

The young Crediton soldier has now been remembered with his picture on the front cover of a new novel, one which pays tribute to not only Jamie but also other soldiers as well.

Stewart Fleming, Jamie’s father explained: “Alison, my wife, belongs to a Bereaved Army Mums website. Occasionally she would write and post picture’s of Jamie on the site.

“Rachel Crawford (the book’s author) had been following Alison’s posts and felt that they were dignified in their content.

“Rachel had written the first book in the trilogy of ‘Lest we forget’.

“The first book received excellent reviews. She wished to make her second book more poignant by using photographs of a soldier that had been killed on the front cover.

“After much deliberation she contacted Alison and asked if she could use Jamie’s pictures; one as a soldier and the other as a toddler.

“We, of course, agreed as it is a fitting tribute to Jamie and other soldiers who have lost their lives.”

He added: “Although the books are fiction, they are based on Rachel’s experience whilst briefly serving in a Compassionate and Casualty Role within the British Army.”

Rachel, who lives near Edinburgh, said her book “What Becomes of The Brokenhearted?”, is based in the present day about a soldier killed in Afghanistan.

She explained: “I first became aware of Jamie when Alison posted the news coverage of the vandalism to his wreath last November. It stirred so many emotions in me. Anger, sadness and awe. Yes I was disgusted by the actions of the vandals but I was very impressed by the dignified way Alison reacted.

“After that Alison often posted little gems about Jamie. l was always touched by the love, humour and warmth that emanated from her posts.

“The book that Jamie’s picture is featured on focuses heavily on the soldier’s mother so I wanted the cover to be of her holding her son’s photograph.

“I always felt the picture should be of a real soldier, not a model plucked from a portfolio. When thinking of who that soldier should be, Jamie immediately sprang to mind, however I was concerned that, as I had never met Alison, she might see my request as an intrusion on her grief.

“Whilst debating on whether to contact her or not the gorgeous photograph that appears of the front cover popped up on my “Facebook” page. I felt it was a meant to be moment.

“For me the cheekiness behind Jamie’s eyes and the warmth in his smile epitomised the character in my novel. Before I had a chance to dissuade myself I messaged Alison. Thankfully she agreed to my request.”

Rachel came to Crediton to sign copies of “What Becomes of The Brokenhearted?” on Saturday, October 24.

She was at Crediton Community Bookshop in the morning and Once Read in the afternoon.

Many purchases of the book were made and the book is available to purchase from both outlets, priced at £5.50.