When Canada went to war in 1939, the life of twenty-year-old Clayton Graham changed in a heartbeat. From a small rural community, he never expected he would travel the world so extensively or under such circumstances. 

From Nova Scotia to North Africa is a largely first-person account of Clayton’s experiences and adventures as a pilot in the Royal Air Force. He recounts in detail the sometimes exhilarating but often terrifying process of learning to fly fighter aircraft, training first in Canada, then in England and later flying with #250 Squadron in Africa and the Middle East: performing spins and loops, becoming adept with Hurricanes and Spitfires, evading enemy aircraft, flying on dangerous missions. He survives bombings on the ground and dogfights in the air. He sees comrades die in service to their country and the devastation war brings to ordinary people swept up in historic events.

Along the way, Clayton manages to get engaged, carrying the engagement ring around with him before he mails it back to his sweetheart in Canada. Shot down while serving in North Africa, it seems Clayton may not get back to marry the woman he loves.

Told with humour and insight, and packed with historical information about places, public figures, and events, From Nova Scotia to North Africa chronicles an important part of Nova Scotia, Canadian, and world history, capturing in a veteran’s own words the experience of war.

E. Ruth Smith was born in Pictou, Nova Scotia, brought up in Five Islands, the home of most of her ancestors, and today resides in Parrsboro. She worked as a medical laboratory technologist for more than forty years. She now helps seniors in various ways, primarily as a part-time caregiver, but spends her spare time digging both literally and figuratively: she is a passionate gardener and genealogy researcher. From Nova Scotia to North Africa is her first book.

E. Ruth Smith's profile page