2003 — November
Book Launch Astounds Author
On September 20, the Museum hosted a book launch for Wayne
Neal's latest work, "5 Boys from Myrtle Street". Close to 200
people attended the event, packing the Museum to capacity.
Wayne's latest work chronicles the stories of 5 lads who all
lived on the same street, attended the same school, and served in
the Air Force during the Second World War. Out of the group of
five, two were killed in action while three returned home, two
wearing the Distinguished Flying Cross on their uniform.
The book also has a personal connection for the author. His
uncle, Jack Murray, is one of the five boys, and another, Neil
Campbell, was the subject of an earlier Neal book.
Reviews of the book have been very positive, as have sales. By
the end of the book launch ceremony, Wayne had writer's cramp from
signing copy after copy, and the Museum had less than ten books
left - and those ten were quickly snapped up the next day. By the
time the next case of thirty books arrived, over half were already
sold, and the printer was rushing another run through the presses.
That, too, is now almost sold out, and more are on the way from the
printer.
The Museum commemorated the launch with a special exhibit
relating to the five boys of the book. Family and friends have
graciously loaned treasures to the Museum for this exhibit,
including a letter from Douglas 'Tin Legs' Bader, written to Neil
Campbell's family, Cameron Rowe's log book and a very touching
letter to his family from the family in France who found his body
after his Spitfire was shot down.
The exhibit will continue until the end of the year. Copies of
the book may be obtained by contacting the Museum, or using the
order form in this newsletter.