Last Post for the Winds of Freedom

In 'Last Post For The Winds of Freedom', the story tells how former members of the Navy, Chip Woodingdean and Fred Newman, become involved in a civil war at home that escalates into a war of independence against the European Republic. Their company 'Golden Arrow Marine' and its single asset, the Privateer, which they jointly own carries cargoes at high speed between Britain and the Channel ports. They witness an unprovoked attack upon two naval vessels in the Thames estuary and pick up the survivors knowing full well that there is not a national agency within a hundred miles capable making a rescue. Later, Chip and Fred survive the transition from being a North Sea trading enterprise into a well armed naval transport fitted with the latest warfare technology, and become embroiled in the wider implications of a rebellion at home. Narrowly escaping arrest and the impounding of their vessel at Portsmouth they receive orders to undertake a mission of the utmost secrecy. While at the same time, the Chiefs of Staff face the unenviable burden of re-building the nation's defences from scratch, with the onset of a conflict that bears all the hallmarks of becoming a bitter war of independence.