The Western Front Association: furthering interest in the Great War 1914-18 | explore | learn | share

ISBN: 1 84351 075 8  PB 280 pages £9.99
Published by The Lilliput Press Ltd.. 

The Canal Bridge is an interesting novel written around a theme of the Great War. It follows the lives of three youngsters growing up in the poverty-stricken years of the late 1890’s and early 1900’s in the semi-rural town of Ballyrannel in the Irish midlands.

Con Hatchel and Matthias Wren first meet when they were still in nappies. A few years later Con’s sister Kitty is born and joins their little clan. All 3 are inseparable and their early lives are centred on the Grand Canal, which runs through the middle of Ballyrannel.

As they grow up the boys dream of travelling the globe in the pursuit of adventure, and more importantly as way of escaping the grinding poverty at home. Both dream of India with its temples, palaces, elephants and mystic atmosphere. For two poor Irish boys there is only one way to achieve this dream and that was to join the British Army.

As the boys yearned to travel, Kitty sought to secure her own future and through hard work and an indomitable spirit she finds work in the house of the local factory owner. At this time Kitty and Matthias’ platonic relationship blossoms into one of love.¦

By 1913 the boys join up and in mid summer 1914 they are on route to India. Steaming through the Mediterranean they see and smell Africa, their eagerness for adventure is coming to fruition. All is about to change in the late afternoon on 4th August 1914. The Great War and the bitter struggle for the Irish Free State changes the lives of Con, Matthias and Kitty for ever!

I can recommend this book; Tom Phelan has an interesting writing style. This is certainly not a history book, but for those interested in a book loosely attached to the Great War it makes a nice change.

Reviewer: Martin Hornby