Daisy and the Unknown Warrior

By Tony Bradman and Tania Rex

Reluctant reader favourite Tony Bradman returns with a captivating historical tale inspired by the true story of Britain’s Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

November 1920. The body of an unknown soldier is to be buried at Westminster Abbey. The war has claimed the lives of thousands of men whose bodies will never make it home, and the Unknown Warrior will represent them all. As hundreds of people crowd to Westminster Abbey, Daisy knows she has to make it to the ceremony. Because although they call the warrior ‘unknown’, she is sure that he is her father …

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Oct 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781800900042

Tony Bradman

Tony Bradman started working life in the music press. In 1979 he joined Parents magazine where he launched their highly successful children’s book pages and, in 1985, the Best Books For Babies Award. He went freelance as a children’s author in 1987 and by 1992 was among the top 20 children’s authors borrowed from UK public libraries.

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was a cold morning at the end of October 1920, and Daisy Robinson was taking her two younger brothers to school. She had to go to school as well, of course, so you could say they were on their way together. But Daisy was in charge.

Oh, for heaven’s sake, you two, hurry up! she said. Mr Jones will be ringing the bell soon, and he’ll be cross if we’re late.

Don’t blame me, snapped William. It’s Albert who’s hanging about.

You shut up, William! said Albert. You’re horrible and I hate you!

A tram went rattling past on its way to Highgate Hill. The streets of North London were full of people on their way to work and school under a gloomy sky. There had been an overnight frost, the first of the autumn, and the pavement glittered with tiny stars of ice. The air was foggy with the coal-fire smoke that curled up from all the chimneys. The war had been over for two years, but London and the people who lived there still looked grey and tired.

William and Albert had stopped and were having another argument. Daisy sighed. Her brothers could be so irritating. William, with dark hair, was eight, three years younger than her but nearly as tall, and he always argued back. Albert was six; he had fair hair like Daisy. He was also tall for his age, and he was always worrying about things. Daisy wished she didn’t have to spend so much of her time looking after them, but Mum really needed her help.

Right, last one to school doesn’t get any tea tonight, said Daisy at last. She ran down the street but not too fast so the boys kept up with her and weren’t left behind. They ran into Mafeking Road, and then Daisy let her brothers beat her to the school gates.

When she got there, they were waiting for her, out of breath and laughing, happy once more.

We’re the winners! said William. "So it’s