I Married a Soldier

by Rachel Farmer; Brenda Hale

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Pub Date Aug 18 2017 | Archive Date Apr 30 2018

Lion Hudson IP Limited | Lion Books

Biographies & Memoirs

Description

An inspiring account of the fight for the rights of those who lost partners in the military, I Married a Soldier is a passionate fight for what is right. It will cause you to think about what injustices you see, and what you feel called to change. Brenda Hale had been married for 22 years when her husband, Mark, was killed in Afghanistan. He was the longest serving soldier to be killed in action. Describing the shock, grief and huge financial problems Brenda faced immediately after Mark's sudden death, I married a Soldier, shows how her determination to fight for the rights of her two daughters and to take on the Ministry of Defense. She reveals the suffering of a bereaved forces family and looks at how she found a way through an event that threatened to crush her, by drawing on her faith and on a personal strength she didn't know she had. It shows the personal cost of war, and the need for support for those affected. Brenda's determination to fight for the rights of families affected by death in action led her into politics as a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly. This is a story of heroism, love and loss, grief and isolation, but also of faith and hope

An inspiring account of the fight for the rights of those who lost partners in the military, I Married a Soldier is a passionate fight for what is right. It will cause you to think about what...

A Note From the Publisher

Brenda Hale had been married for 22 years when her husband was killed in Afghanistan, the longest serving soldier to be killed. His death sent shock waves throughout the military community, and was then compounded by the catalogue of administrative errors which led to months of financial turmoil. Brenda and her daughters were left with no money because her husband’s Will had been lost. The MoD refused to accept responsibility. During these months she spoke out about the injustices and how families were treated post death in service. Her profile in speaking out led the DUP to ask her to stand for election in 2011 when she was successfully elected. She has since lobbied and campaigned robustly to have the Military Covenant UK wide and for the government to take full responsibility in looking after injured service personnel and bereaved families.

She has a BSc (Hons) in Social Policy through the Open University and is Lagan Valley Member of the Legislative Assembly, Northern Ireland (Democratic Unionist Party).

Rachel Farmer is a newspaper journalist, magazine editor and communications professional with more than 25 years experience. She was the Director of Communications for the Church of England until 2013 and edits two quarterly magazines, Worldwide Anglican Communion and one for the Armed Forces Christian Union.

Advance Praise

"We live in a broken world where there is much pain and sadness which causes some people to become bitter and angry. Brenda Hale’s account of her experience of that brokenness in the loss of her hero husband, Mark, is a wonderful illustration of how good can overcome evil, and how true faith grows strong in the face of the most awful tragedies. When I had the privilege of visiting Brenda in the immediate aftermath of her loss, she showed remarkable fortitude, dignity and strength. Her life and service since then bears testimony to the authenticity and reality of the faith which she and Mark shared. This is an inspirational account which will profoundly affect all who read it." Stafford Carson, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland

"As a journalist, people often ask if I am affected by the stories I cover ?

Three years ago I interviewed a bereaved young widow called Brenda Hale. I heard her story, saw her home and met her children. Her heart was completely broken, and listening to her pain and love for her lost husband Mark broke mine as well. If you have ever lost the love of your life, you will cry reading this book, and you will understand what inspired Brenda to take up a life of public service. Her story is obviously a love story and she did indeed marry a soldier. As for Mark, who did he marry? Well, in my view he wasn't the only ‘warrior' in the Hale household. Am I affected by stories?

Very definitely, as you will be too." Eamonn Holmes, TV presenter

"We live in a broken world where there is much pain and sadness which causes some people to become bitter and angry. Brenda Hale’s account of her experience of that brokenness in the loss of...

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9780745980119
PRICE	$14.99 (USD)

Additional Information

Average rating from 7 members

Featured Reviews

Gina B, Reviewer

I LOVED this book - it was a great read. The description does not do it justice - this is not a book about a soldier's death, but more about his life. It really brings Mark to life for the reader, and shows what a strong and committed soldier, husband, and father he was. The story starts out with Brenda meeting Mark at a club in Northern Ireland, at a time when it was seen as risky for her to frequent places where soldiers were, and to be associated with a soldier. I was born and raised in the US, so I was not as familiar with how the struggles in Northern Ireland looked from the inside, and this gave me a lot to think about. The book continues documenting their marriage, their family, and the time apart because of training and deployments. Then, Mark is killed in Afghanistan, and I read some of the most heartwrenching pages I had ever read, as tears streamed down my face (my husband is still not quite used to looking over and seeing tears streaming down my face as I read away in the corner).

Brenda then takes her experiences with "the system" and uses them to help make changes so that other families do not have the same issues in the future. This is an inspiring story about a soldier, the family that loves him, and their sacrifices to make the world a better place to live in.

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Daniel B, Media/Journalist

This is a powerful story of a British woman who lost her soldier husband in the war in Afghanistan. It's quickly paced and well edited and I enjoyed it.

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Angie O, Reviewer

I am grateful that the author took the time to document her experience with her husband’s service and subsequent death as a soldier. Her family’s loss is more common than I’d like to believe, and her willingness to share her experience will be of value to fellow grieving families, but also to civilians who are so far removed from military activity that the reality of war is easily overlooked. It was tough to read, only because I knew how it would end, and i desperately wanted to be wrong.

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Alina M, Reviewer

Truly heart breaking. The description doesn't do justice to this book, it's filled with powerful emotions.Its not about a soldier's death, butore about his life, marriage, family.

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