Dear Mr Cornwell,

I was delighted to see that it was a Captain Gilliland whose name you used for your rocket man in “Sharpe’s Enemy”.

The first time I have ever seen my surname used for a character in a novel. (I know of some authors who auction off that honour to raise money for charity.) And, as it is a bit of a rare surname, I must admit I never expected to see it in print like this. It was quite exciting.

Interestingly as a young man, during the late 1960’s, I also served in the infantry with the 48th Highlanders, an infantry Regiment out of Toronto, Canada. I became a specialist on a weapon called a Carl Gustaf anti tank missile launcher and became a sort of rocket man myself.

Can you by any chance recall how you came to use the name Gilliland for your rocket Captain?

Thank you being such a prolific author. My wife, Faye, and I are so enjoying working our way through all your novels. What an interesting, fascinating and addictive way to be entertained and learn a bit of history.

Yours

David Gilliland