QUESTIONS by his grandchildren and their friends about the Second World War have led to a 91-year-old South Harting man writing his third book.

Mike O’Kelly successfully launched The Second World War Explained at One Tree Books – his son Tim’s shop in Lavant Street, Petersfield – after two years’ research and using his own knowledge to produce a book which he emphasises is not a learned history but of general interest, with a balanced view.

Mike spent 34 years in the Royal Navy, including active service in the Korean War, and worked for the Whitbread Round the World Race and the Macmillan charity before spending eight years as a West Sussex county councillor for the Midhurst division.

He is also involved in community and charitable organisations both in Harting and the Midhurst area where he is a trustee at Rother College.

His connection with education through being a governor of Midhurst Grammar School and Littlegreen School at Compton was also a spur to him writing his latest book, which follows a memoir he had published privately and a book on the Battle of the Atlantic.

Although he enjoyed his self-appointed task, Mike now plans to read books rather than write them.

The Second World War Explained, by Michael O’Kelly, is published by Pen and Sword.