But his leaving did not go unnoticed. A man stood motionless, only two trees in from Burrow Corner, waiting patiently for what he hoped was inevitable. He noticed with satisfaction the pack on the young man’s back, and the purposeful way he walked on down the lane and out of sight. And thus did John Hoyle leave his home and family never to return, branded a criminalby one drunken night of tomfoolery. His crime? Damaging a bridge. The penaly? Deportation. So, in the shadows of night, he slipped away to evade authorities and to transplant himself anywhere that was safe from detection. This quest, via serendipity, a name change, and the collaboration of some good people saw him enlist in the British Army and so the dye was cast. His new life as John Brown was to travel the world as an ostler and to forge lasting relationships with new friends and still maintain cautious links with his family back in Devon. Dear Aunt and Cousins is an extraordinary true story of three cousins who epitomised the unyielding bonds of famlily, courage and love. And through it they left a legacy which still exists today. ‘But what an epic read. Action, adventure, romance and heart-break. I thoroughly enjoyed what I thought was a very moving story.’ Martin O'Connor