FORMER Haberdashers’ Monmouth School student has published a remarkable escape story with Hodder and Stoughton.

Adam Hart, who is 25 has had his first book published by Hodder and Stoughton in June.

His book Operation Pimento: My Great-Grandfather's Great Escape, is a compelling account of Adam’s great-grandfather's daring escape during the Second World War and the authors retracing of his steps in 2022.

Adam who attended Haberdashers’ Monmouth School from 2011 until 2018 draws on personal family archives, Frank’s RAF logbooks, memoir and oral history as well as numerous personal testimonies of descendants of the French Resistance to bring to life the incredible true story of resilience and bravery behind enemy lines.

The novel traces the journey of his great-grandfather Frank Griffiths, an RAF pilot who was shot down dropping supplies to the French Resistance near Annecy in south-east France.

The only survivor from a crew of seven, Frank spent the next 108-days escaping Nazi-occupied Europe across France, Switzerland and Spain, via the attic of a brothel, a Frenchwoman's chimney and a Spanish prison cell.

79 years later, Adam retraced the epic escape tracking down and meeting descendants of people who’d risk their lives to help his great-grandfather.

Adam said: “While Frank’s journey was heroic, my journey taught me the ordinary civilians in France and Spain were the true heroes.”

“They risked torture and execution at the hands of the Nazis to help Frank. When I met the descendants of these people, they shook my hand, hugged me and even cried in front of me. Their attachment to the story, even 80 years later, is staggering.”

“Although I didn’t know it at the time, my time at Monmouth definitely helped set me on this path to becoming an author.”

“English wasn’t a ‘cool’ subject for boys but even today I can clearly remember words of encouragement from English teachers after descriptive or narrative writing exercises, despite leaving seven years ago, that have stuck with me.”

Adam said he was always interested in history and Monmouth had a brilliant history department.

“Whether it was William Pitt the younger with Mr Lewis, the Cold War with Mr Vaughan-Smith or Dr Harrison’s air raid siren, it was a great place to learn, and I feel very lucky to have gone to Monmouth.”

Operation Pimento not only shines a light on one man’s extraordinary courage but also reflects the power of preserving and sharing family history.

The school is delighted to celebrate the achievements of Adam and encourages pupils past and present to follow their passions and tell the stories that matter. With nearly all Second World War veterans now to have passed away it is more important than ever to talk about their stories and keep their memories alive.

Operation Pimento is available now in all major bookshops and online retailers. It is also available as an audiobook on audible or eBook.

Amazon - hGps://www.amazon.co.uk/OperaNon-Pimento-Great-Grandfathers-GreatEscape/dp/139974013X

Waterstones - hGps://www.waterstones.com/book/9781399740135

WHS Smith - hGps://www.whsmith.co.uk/Product/Adam-Hart/OperaNon-Pimento--MyGreat-Grandfathers-Great-Escape/15676055