The Ironclad Prophecy (49 page)

Sap:
A communications trench that runs out from an already existing trench to an emplacement, kitchen, latrine or stores.

Sappers:
Generally, a private in the Royal Engineers. But in this case, a small dedicated unit formed by Everson from those men with a trade – bricklaying, carpentry, etc. – to perform a similar function.

Scran:
A general term for food.

Sponson:
The side-mounted gun turret of a tank, taken from the naval term. The Mark I ‘male’ tank had no central-mounted roof turret, like later tanks, but two side mounted sponsons, one on either side. Each sponson was armed with a six pounder gun and a Hotchkiss machine gun.

Stand To:
Stand to Arms. Highest state of alert when all men should be ready for immediate action, weapons at the ready. Occurred regularly in the trenches at dawn and dusk to repel any attempted attacks.

Star Shell:
An artillery shell consisting of a large magnesium flare and a parachute. Used for illuminating battlefields at night.

VAD:
Voluntary Aid Detachment, women volunteers providing auxiliary nursing assistance to the Red Cross and registered nurses.

Vickers Machine gun:
Water-cooled, belt-fed, machine gun. Heavy and bulky, but more accurate than the Lewis.

Whizz-Bang:
A German 77mm high velocity shell.

Windy:
Or
to have the wind-up;
apprehensive or anxious about a situation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pat Kelleher
is a freelance writer. He has written for magazines, animation and radio. He served his time writing for a wide variety of TV licensed characters, translating them into audio books, novels and comics. Yes, he’s written for that. And that. And even, you know, them. He has several non-fiction books to his credit and his educational strips and stories for the RSPB currently form the mainstays of their Youth publications. Somehow he has steadfastly managed to avoid all those careers and part-time jobs that look so good on a dust jacket.

BLOODY BUG-EYED BOSCHE!

On November 1st, 1916, nine-hundred men of the 13th Battalion of The Pennine Fusiliers vanished without trace from the battlefield, only to find themselves stranded on an alien planet. There they must learn to survive in a frightening and hostile environment, forced to rely on dwindling supplies of ammo and rations as the natives of this strange new world begin to take an interest. However, the aliens amongst them are only the first of their worries, as a sinister and arcane threat begins to take hold from within their own ranks!

ISBN (ePUB): 978-1-84997-212-3

ISBN (MOBI): 978-1-84997-213-0

www.abaddonbooks.com