ARCHIVE


Melody at the Rye Bookshop

Book signing at the Rye Bookshop

Melody with Captain Mainwaring Statue

Visiting the Dad's Army Museum in Thetford



MAGAZINE ARTICLES


These are examples of articles I have written. Click on a title to read the full text (pdf file).


Beth's War

For the first time, former WRNS Beth Davison reveals her work with the intrepid and often forgotten 'Y' Service, which played an essential role in a secret war of spying, codebreaking and cryptology during the Second World War. Melody Foreman reports.


The 'Lucky' Gunner

Melody Foreman talks exclusively with the family of Squadron Leader Kenneth 'Lucky' Lusty about his time as a Bristol Blenheim Gunner and as an RAF Officer in the Second World War.


Modest Hero

D-Day veteran Joseph Kelsey talks to Melody Foreman about the build up to the invasion and fight in Normandy.


Voices of Hope

As a tribute to the late Dame Vera Lynn, we chart her career as the forces' sweetheart, and look at other entertainers who risked all to raise spirits on the front lines.


Creativity Takes Courage

In this exclusive interview, Paul Zec talks to Melody Foreman about his uncle Philip, the political Cartoonist.


The Quiet Man's War

Shortly before his death, Wing Commander Paul Farnes DFM - then the sole surviving fighter pilot of the Battle of France and one of Churchill's honoured 'Few' - gave a rare interview to Melody Foreman.


The Searchers

To help the public cope with grief on the scale of World War One, volunteers took it upon themselves to trace those with no known grave; the beginnings of a century of painstaking work that is continuing today.



BOOK REVIEWS



"IN CONVERSATION" EVENTS

Photo of Melody with Alex Preston

Alex Preston (Winchelsea)

Melody with Dr Helen Fry

Dr Helen Fry (Women in Intelligence)

Melody with Sarah Gristwood

Sarah Gristwood (Secret Voices)

Melody with Dr Helen Doe

Dr Helen Doe (Stanford Tuck: Hero of The Battle of Britain)


BROADCAST EVENTS


Literary Aviatrix Book Club screen grab


In 2019 I spoke about the life and times of Spitfire Girl Mary Ellis on the Mike Slater Show, on Radio Station AM 760 KFMB in San Diego, California. You can listen to our discussion here.


In 2021 I was interviewed on this same subject for the USA-based Aviatrix Book Club. This discussion is available on YouTube.


Small image of portable radio


RECOMMENDATIONS



" Melody's biography of Spitfire Girl Mary Wilkins Ellis was unputdownable.  I found Mary's story such an inspiration and it was wonderful when Melody took part in a recorded Zoom event to talk about her work with Mary and how she went about writing this amazing book. " - Liz Booker (Aviatrix Book Club of the USA).

" Thank you so much for the fascinating talk about your book 'The Wreck Hunter: Battle of Britain and the Blitz'. It was really touching to hear how so many important stories were uncovered and how they helped both surviving aircrew find their beloved fallen aircraft, and reveal the fates of those sadly killed during the aerial conflict of 1940 and after. " -
Bentley Priory Museum Operations Manager, Christina Avramakis.

" Melody is an excellent and creative writer who regularly contributes news, features and book reviews to Britain at War magazine, I highly rate her superb work. " - Nigel Price, Editor.

" We hugely appreciated your entertaining and vivid talk about 'Spitfire Girl' Mary Ellis and the amazing Air Transport Auxiliary...and all presented so fluently without using any notes! Come back soon, Melody. " - Andy Simpson,- Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, Capel-le-Ferne, Kent.

" Your talk about the Women Pilots of the Second World War was highly appreciated. Thank you for providing us with such an insightful talk. " - Professor David Killingray, Sevenoaks Historical Society.


MAGAZINES
 

I have created magazines for several organisations. Click on a cover to view sample pages (pdf files).