National Network for Equitable Library Service

Far From Home recounts the life of a soldier who grew up in 1920s Calgary and became an officer in the Canadian army who travelled the world. Williams offers a vivid retelling of growing up in Calgary during the Depression. Following the outbreak of war in 1939, Williams was sent to England as an untrained, but enthusiastic, amateur member of the Canadian army. During his thirty-three years in the army, Williams experienced wars in Europe and Korea and served in Canada, Germany, the United States, and England. With an uncanny memory, Williams tells tales of meeting various famous and unknown people of the twentieth century, including the Royal Family, John Diefenbaker, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Williams' transition from "the most untrained officer in the army" to an army officer at home in the Pentagon, along with the culture shock of moving from a relatively simple upbringing to the sophisticated life of an international officer, is told with great humour and rare insight into the human side of military life.