New memoir tells the life of a retired RAF squadron leader and Bolton is featured

Author Denise Lunt, from Hindley Green, has released the book, An Unprecedented Life, telling the real-life story of 91-year-old veteran, Roy Handley.

Roy was a proud RAF fighter pilot for 30 years before working for the Foreign Office and then heading back to home soil working for Ericsson.

Denise, who has written two previous novels, Goodnight Mr Stone and Spring in Autumn, spent a year working on the manuscript, reading through countless log books and files, containing notes of many experiences and places Roy had been to in his lifetime.

In the retellings of Roy’s life, there is a particular focus on Roy living in Bolton when he studied at Manchester University.

He speaks fondly of the area and the people he encountered.

Speaking of An Unprecedented Life, Denise said: “Roy is one of England’s most amazing men, he truly is most charming and humble.

“His world of work was beyond unique, some even calling him England’s real James Bond.

“This book is only the basic outline of his life. Book two, which is now also completed, is more than stunning.

“He loved the time he lived in Bolton when attending Manchester University, so much so, he decided to include it in the book.

“Roy was so proud to serve his country, and still loves to show some of the bases he was stationed at.”

Squadron Leader Handley contacted Denise in 2018 and asked her to write his memoir. Denise said looking through the logbooks was like looking at travel brochures.

The book has a mixture of heartbreaking and funny tales of “pure RAF history” and Denise is excited for people to read all about Roy.

She said: “The book truly is amazing to see, it includes every place he travelled to and every aircraft. He is a great man.”

An Unprecedented Life is the first book the pair have released, and their second book, Through Adversity To The Stars, is a fictional work already completed, being published later this year.

A third book is also currently underway.