Books by Leonard Sellers

Len Sellers was born in June 1945 at Woking, Surrey. Upon moving to Cockethurst Avenue (Now Bridgewater Drive) at Kent Elms Corner, Eastwood, he was educated at the old Eastwood Infants School in Rayleigh Road. Moving onto the brand new Blenheim Junior School, followed by Belfairs High School, Leigh-on-Sea. Leaving at the age of 17 he joined a firm of Lloyds Brokers, in the City of London, later becoming a broker on the floor of Lloyds. However, looking for a more exciting life, at the age of 21, he joined the local Southend-on-Sea Constabulary until its amalgamation with the Essex force in 1969. He has worked as a divisional crime prevention officer and lectured on the subject. After 30 years he retired from Southend Police Station as a sergeant. His first book was the Hood Battalion Antwerp, Gallipoli & France 1914-1918 (Published by Leo Cooper, Pen & Sword Books Ltd. 1995) Was followed by For God's Sake Shoot Straight. A controversial book concerning the Court Martial & Execution of Sub Lieutenant Edwin Dyett of Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division during the First World War. He was one of only three officers to be shot at dawn between 1914-1918. Shot in the Tower was published in 1997, the story of eleven German spies who were executed in the Tower of London during the Great War. July 2008 an article appeared in the New York, Wall Street Journal when Dame Stella Rimington the Former Director General of M.I.5. reviewed and listed her best five books about spies in Britain. Shot in the Tower was number one. As a result it was published again, but this time in paperback. A member of the British Commission for Military History, Gallipoli Association & Western Front Association he now lectures on aspects of First World War history and since retirement organizes and guides many Royal Naval Division battlefield tours to Gallipoli, Turkey. He lives in Bellhouse Road, Eastwood with his wife Elaine. They have two sons, Mark who is married to Sheila and Neil who is married to Anna. Len and Elaine have two grandchildren, Samuel and Holly and step granddaughter Natasha.