Research, writing and publishing have always been an important part of my life; firstly as a biological research scientist, and most recently as a historian. My interest in Police and Military History started with the discovery of a Victorian hat-box full of family correspondence and photographs, including many from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. This prompted me to undertake research on the lives and experiences of two of my ancestors, my great-great-grandfather, Detective Chief Inspector George Clarke of Scotland Yard, and my grandfather Charles Frederick Payne, a clerk in the City of London before his conscription into the Army during the First World War. I have written one book, 'The Chieftain', on the life of Clarke and am in the final stages of research for a second book which has the working title 'Charlie Payne's Hatbox'. My fascination for these topics is in the discovery and analysis of how 'ordinary' individuals cope with 'extraordinary' situations in our history. You can find out more about my research and publications at my website: www.chrispaynebooks.com