The Speedicut Papers Book 5 (1871–1879)

About the Book

As the subtitle implies, Book 5 of The Speedicut Papers is largely concerned with Speedicut’s unsought role as a part-time courtier to Prince Albert Edward, The Prince of Wales, whilst at the same time he tries to track down the traitor in the British establishment. Along the way he witnesses the battle of Isandlwana, is present at Rorke’s Drift and is framed for the death of the Prince Imperial.

About the Author

After serving time at Oxford University and the RMA Sandhurst, Christopher Joll spent his formative years as an officer in The Life Guards. On leaving the Army, Joll worked first in investment banking, then as an arms salesman before moving into public relations. From his earliest days Joll has written articles, features, short stories and reportage. One such piece of writing led to an early brush with notoriety when an article he had penned anonymously in 1974 for a political journal ended up as front page national news and resulted in a Ministerial inquiry. In 2014, Joll wrote the text for Uniquely British: A Year in the Life of the Household Cavalry, an illustrated account of the Household Cavalry from the Royal Wedding to the Diamond Jubilee. Since leaving the Army in 1975, Joll has also been involved in devising and managing major charity fund-raising events. Most recently, he has focused on devising, writing and directing events for military charities. These include the Household Cavalry Pageant, the Royal Hospital Chelsea Pageant, the acclaimed British Military Tournament, a military tattoo in Hyde Park for the Diamond Jubilee, the Gurkha 200 Pageant and the Shakespeare 400 Gala Concert. In 2018 he is presenting The Great War Symphony in partnership with Classic FM. When not writing, directing or lifting the lid on the cess pits of British history, Joll gives lectures on topics related to the British Empire and is Regimental Historian of the Household Cavalry.