Leslie Thomas - In My Wildest Dreams

Review by Brian (Biggles) Lowen on show 18th Nov.
The book recalls his life from birth to this second marriage when he has just written his first best seller – The Virgin Soldiers.

It is divided into four parts:-
1. Home
This describes his early family life in Newport, Monmouthshire. His father was a stoker on board ship and away a lot and usually drunk when at home. He was eventually lost at sea when his ship was torpedoed. His mother had poor health and died when he was young. He was then sent to Dr. Barnardos Home with his brother.

2. The Homes
Describes his life at Dr. Barnardos with 150 little urchins under the rule of the gaffer and his wife, the matron. He later studied shorthand and typing and dreamed of being a writer.

(page 222)

3. Virgin Soldier
Called up for National Service, put into the Army Pay Corps, and sent to Singapore. He quotes his national service number which all began with a 2. Mine, being a regular, but only for four years in the RAF, began with a 4 and I can still remember it.

It is in Singapore that after trying for many years he eventually loses his virginity! The time spent here was the basis for his first best selling novel.

4. On the Streets
Back in civvy street. Goes into lodgings and gets a job as reporter on the Willesden Citizen. He makes extra money by sending articles off to other papers.

(page 386 can omit)

Then he gets a job at the Exchange Telegraph, a sort of central distribution point for news (like Reuters). Then comes his first marriage and their honeymoon in Scilly. They travel on the De Havilland Rapide – the only aircraft to get woodworm!

He eventually fulfils his ambition and gets a job as a reporter on the London Evening News. There is a good description of the scruffy press room at Scotland Yard.

(page 444)
He attends the infamous press conference that Harold Wilson held on Samson.
He writes a play called “A Piece of Ribbon” which is accepted by the BBC. His first book is published – “This Time Next Week” which is about childrens’ homes. His next book is “The Virgin Soldiers” which is his first best seller.

A hilarious read of Leslie Thomas’s full and interesting early life.