A. S. GEORGE
...And Then There Was George — book cover
A true Royal Navy D-Day story

...And Then There
Was George

The story of Able Seaman George Chandler.
"Like Saving Private Ryan meets The Notebook."

Part gripping war memoir, part gentle guide to memory loss — the unforgettable story of a D-Day veteran whose wartime past was rediscovered, conversation by conversation, in the last chapter of his life.

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Its launch raised funds for Blind Veterans UK and the Alzheimer's Society.
About the book

An extraordinary past, gently unlocked

When the care staff of an Assisted Living complex discovered their resident, Able Seaman George Apprentice Chandler, was a Royal Navy D-Day veteran, his extraordinary past began to dramatically unfold — just weeks before the 80th anniversary of that turning point in history. With vascular dementia clouding his memories, bringing those transparent horrors of George's wartime stories to life became a journey of patience, trust, understanding and love.

Author A. S. George was given the rare honour of piecing his recollections together, along with the expert skill and help from all of the care team. Their unique journey delves deeply into a beautiful example of how families can gently unlock treasured memories in those living with Alzheimer's or dementia.

Part gripping war memoir, and part guide to understanding memory loss, this is George's unforgettable story — and an inspiring reminder that history lives on when we learn how to listen.

"History lives on when we learn how to listen."
...And Then There Was George — the two Georges of Motor Torpedo Boat 710 in their youth and later years, George Chandler with the care team, and author A. S. George signing the book. Available on Amazon.
The story in one image — the two Georges of MTB 710, the care team, and author A. S. George.
The true story behind the book

Two Georges, one Motor Torpedo Boat

George Chandler's war was spent in the Royal Navy's Coastal Forces — the small, fast motor torpedo boats that fought in the Channel. On D-Day, aged just 19, he was a gunner aboard Motor Torpedo Boat 710 of the 59th flotilla, helping escort American forces towards the Omaha and Utah beaches. Decades later, living with sight loss and vascular dementia at his retirement community in Burgess Hill, those memories were carefully brought back to light — and became this book.

George Chandler, Royal Navy Coastal Forces D-Day veteran, in later life wearing his service medals

George Chandler

Able Seaman · Royal Navy Coastal Forces
  • Boat: Motor Torpedo Boat 710, 59th flotilla
  • D-Day: gunner escorting US forces to Omaha & Utah, aged 19
  • Home: Burgess Hill, West Sussex
  • Later life: lived with sight loss and vascular dementia; his story is the heart of the book
George Bleasdale, Royal Navy veteran — A life of service, a legacy of honour. 'Once Navy, always Navy.'

George Bleasdale

Royal Navy Coastal Forces · his shipmate
  • Boat: also served on Motor Torpedo Boat 710
  • D-Day: escorted American Rangers towards Omaha Beach
  • Also: survived when his boat later struck a mine
  • Home: Huyton, Merseyside
  • Honours: France's Légion d'honneur; celebrated his 101st birthday in July 2026

The lifelong friendship between the two Georges — both Coastal Forces men on Motor Torpedo Boat 710 — runs quietly through the story.

Recognised in Parliament

Honoured in the House of Commons

In October 2024, just before Remembrance Day, Alison Bennett MP stood in the House of Commons and read a tribute to George — his D‑Day service honoured in the heart of Parliament, and later recorded in a Parliamentary Early Day Motion. She was afterwards presented with a copy of the book: a story of courage, a life of service, a legacy for all. These tributes were created with the kind support of Alison Bennett MP and Blind Veterans UK.

A Tribute to George — In Parliament. In Remembrance. Inspiring a Nation. Alison Bennett MP reading a tribute to George in the House of Commons just before Remembrance Day, October 2024, and proudly receiving a copy of ...And Then There Was George. Blind Veterans UK.
One Man. One Story. A legacy that lives on. Rob Cotterill (Military Engagement and Events Coordinator, Blind Veterans UK) with George Chandler, Rob's tribute to George, and the book ...And Then There Was George — available on Amazon.
In tribute
DCDavid CarterSecretary, Coastal Forces Veterans Association
"I'm delighted to hear that this book has been written about my old friend George who served in Coastal Forces, as did my father. Several of the veterans lost their sight in later years and were well supported by Blind Veterans UK. Some also suffered from dementia. I'm therefore very grateful that sales of this book will support both Blind Veterans UK and the Alzheimer's Society."
The launch

Launched on D-Day, 6 June 2026

The book was launched on Saturday 6 June 2026 — the anniversary of D-Day — at Corbett Court, the McCarthy & Stone retirement living development in Burgess Hill where George lived until his death in late 2024, and where the care team first helped uncover his wartime memories through conversation, music and reminiscence. The launch raised funds for Blind Veterans UK and the Alzheimer's Society, two charities close to George's heart. His son, Paul Chandler, attended, alongside representatives of Haywards Heath Golf Club, where George was an honorary life member.

'It's like Saving Private Ryan meets The Notebook.' The true story of George Chandler and the Corbett Court care team. Book launch – 6th June.
The launch campaign — George Chandler and the Corbett Court care team.
In the press
Sussex Express — Burgess Hill D-Day book launch Explore Liverpool — George Bleasdale at 101 BBC News — D-Day veteran George Chandler Sussex Express — honoured in the House of Commons UK Parliament — Early Day Motion 62769

George Bleasdale and Blind Veterans UK, McCarthy & Stone, the Alzheimer's Society and Haywards Heath Golf Club are named here as a matter of public record from the reporting above. They are referenced with respect and gratitude; no endorsement or affiliation is implied.

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From the launch

6 June 2026 · Corbett Court, Burgess Hill

Book signing at the launch
Signing copies at the launch.
The Corbett Court care team at the launch
The Corbett Court care team, who helped bring George's memories to light.
A copy of the book at the launch, before the D-Day montage backdrop
...And Then There Was George — on launch day.

Photographs supplied by the author from the launch event.

Read George's story

...And Then There Was George

Available now in paperback — a remarkable true story, and a piece of D-Day history kept alive.

Buy on Amazon
Also by A. S. George

The Nephilim Assignment trilogy

If you enjoy A. S. George's writing, her fiction reaches in a very different direction — a sweeping speculative-thriller trilogy that braids ancient legend with modern adventure.

Explore the trilogy →