Medal Man
Mark Smith
Jan 2026 · Random House
Ebook
336
Pages
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About this ebook
A FATHER'S A WAR, A SON'S FASCINATION, AND THE MEMORIES THAT DEFINE OUR NATION
'Compelling and deeply personal . . . a riveting evocation of a father's heroic, top-secret RAF missions in WWII, coupled with a son's journey to the heart of his father's life and his war.'
—DAMIEN LEWIS , bestselling author of SAS: The Great Train Raid
‘An extraordinary story, brilliantly told’ - ROBERT ELMS
‘HEARTFELT AND PERSONAL’ Soldier Magazine
Follow military memorabilia and medal specialist Mark Smith in his enthralling journey to tell the story of his own father's war
Sunday evenings wouldn't be the same without Mark Smith on Antiques Roadshow.
Seeing beyond the military memorabilia shared by members of the public to the often deeply moving human stories at their heart, Mark brings the past vividly to life for millions at home and has become something of a national treasure.
Historian, battlefield tour guide, expert on the Victoria Cross and story-teller, Mark grew up within a close-knit, multi-generational family in Walthamstow, during a childhood steeped in history. His rare empathy for the experience and sacrifice of past generations was fostered by Mark's WWII veteran father, who shared stories of flying special operations for the RAF. But Smith Snr was also haunted by the loss of his best friend, Harry, on a secret mission over the Indian Ocean.
From the pages of his father’s unpublished wartime memoir, to a pilgrimage to a Chennai cemetery, here Mark takes us on his most personal journey, to try to bring closure to his father’s story.
Nostalgic and heartfelt, Medal Man is the true story of a bygone East London, of a father and son who were also best friends, and of the memories that still bind us to this Greatest Generation.
'Compelling and deeply personal . . . a riveting evocation of a father's heroic, top-secret RAF missions in WWII, coupled with a son's journey to the heart of his father's life and his war.'
—DAMIEN LEWIS , bestselling author of SAS: The Great Train Raid
‘An extraordinary story, brilliantly told’ - ROBERT ELMS
‘HEARTFELT AND PERSONAL’ Soldier Magazine
Follow military memorabilia and medal specialist Mark Smith in his enthralling journey to tell the story of his own father's war
Sunday evenings wouldn't be the same without Mark Smith on Antiques Roadshow.
Seeing beyond the military memorabilia shared by members of the public to the often deeply moving human stories at their heart, Mark brings the past vividly to life for millions at home and has become something of a national treasure.
Historian, battlefield tour guide, expert on the Victoria Cross and story-teller, Mark grew up within a close-knit, multi-generational family in Walthamstow, during a childhood steeped in history. His rare empathy for the experience and sacrifice of past generations was fostered by Mark's WWII veteran father, who shared stories of flying special operations for the RAF. But Smith Snr was also haunted by the loss of his best friend, Harry, on a secret mission over the Indian Ocean.
From the pages of his father’s unpublished wartime memoir, to a pilgrimage to a Chennai cemetery, here Mark takes us on his most personal journey, to try to bring closure to his father’s story.
Nostalgic and heartfelt, Medal Man is the true story of a bygone East London, of a father and son who were also best friends, and of the memories that still bind us to this Greatest Generation.
A FATHER'S A WAR, A SON'S FASCINATION, AND THE MEMORIES THAT DEFINE OUR NATION
'Compelling and deeply personal . . . a riveting evocation of a father's heroic, top-secret RAF missions in WWII, coupled with a son's journey to the heart of his father's life and his war.'
—DAMIEN LEWIS , bestsellin...
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About the author
Mark Smith joined the Antiques Roadshow team in 2014 and quickly became a firm favourite with viewers. Like his father and grandfather, Mark Smith was born and bred in Walthamstow, East London. He started collecting British medals in 1969 and owns an extensive private collection that he has amassed over the years; a hobby which has become a life-long passion. He is a well-known expert on the Victoria Cross. He holds a degree in museum studies from UCL, is a Member of the Western Front Association and the Orders and Medals Research Society, he is also a well-known Battlefield Tour Guide.
Mark Smith joined the Antiques Roadshow team in 2014 and quickly became a firm favourite with viewers. Like his father and grandfather, Mark Smith was born and bred in Walthamstow, East London. He started collecting British medals in 1969 and owns an extensive private collection that he has amass...
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