About the author
I have been a Steward in the Merchant Navy, Musician, Consultant to the Red Cross and a Marketing and Management Lecturer. My MA in Maritime History from Greenwich led to presenting at international conferences. My Doctoral research inspired this book.
I live in Hertfordshire with my wife and two cats.
Like so many stories this one came out of an accidental discovery.
Carrying out part of my doctoral research I was going through the stacks of the London Library looking for a collection of letters written by King George 3rd .
I found the right book but turned to wrong page.
There it was.
Copies of the correspondence together with sworn witness statements in support of a request for the granting of a Royal Pardon to Midshipman John Machele.
My initial reaction was that here was a good story waiting to be told and the more research I carried out into John’s life story the more convinced I was.
I found documentation of his time at a Naval Academy in Chelsea.
The National Archives held original copies of his service in the Royal Scots Greys and wonder of wonders, a transcript of his Court Martial on HMS Glenmore on Monday 29th August 1796.
It was decision time.
What did I want most?
To be Dr Ian Robertson or Ian Robertson, Author?
This is the answer:
The Betrayal of John Machele.