Author commemorates grandfather 100 years on
A Drogheda man and his daughter have joined forces to write and publish a book commemorating the centenary of the death of Joseph Phillips, their father and grandfather.
One hundred years ago this month, the Company Sergeant Major in the Connaught Rangers was killed on the fields of France in 1918, during Germany’s Spring Offensive towards the end of the First World War.
Eamonn Ashe’s book ‘31 Years of Hell! 1914–1945’, which was launched in Drogheda and published by Eamonn’s daughter Fiona, was inspired by his grandfather’s history. It is now stocked in independent bookshops around the country and received rave reviews.
‘My aim was always to write a concise history of the two world wars and the interwar years to enable readers to learn more about them through a pacy, captivating and compelling narrative,’ said Eamonn, speaking about his grandfather’s anniversary.
‘In parallel to that, I hoped it would be a fitting tribute to my grandfather, his comrades and everyone who died or was injured in the world wars. I am very proud of ‘31 Years of Hell! 1914–1945’ and am confident that it is a fitting tribute.’
Sergeant Major Phillips is buried at Ste. Emilie Cemetery, Villers-Faucon, close to St. Quentin. In 1991, Eamonn and his sister Sheila brought their mother Phyllis Ashe there.
It was her first and only time to visit her father’s grave.
While writing this book, Eamonn had an unusual schedule: he got up in the early hours of the morning every night and wrote for two hours.
The project represents a very special father-daughter collaboration: Eamonn’s daughter Fiona is the editor and publisher of the book. Both feel honoured to have had the privilege of collaborating on such an amazing project. Fiona published the book through her digital agency FlasheForward Communications, which is based in Drogheda.