Dear Bernard, I was introduced to your excellent novels by my son who absolutely loves History and is now reading for a History degree. I hated History at school but he’s swept me along with his enthusiasm and I now can’t get enough of it and now read nothing but historical novels. They’re mostly yours but I also enjoy Edward Rutherford and Elizabeth Chadwick. However, back to your goodself – we are both Essex lads and proud of it so are highly chuffed to know that you spent your formative years in our highly underated county. I like to see the odd references to Chelmsford in the Sharpe books which brings us finally to the question! In Sharpe’s Regiment did you have anywhere in mind for the location of the South Essex Depot? If you had I’m sure you would have mentioned it but I can’t help thinking that Hylands would have fitted the bill perfectly. Do you agree? Finally, please conclude the Starbuck chronicles! I’m fascinated to learn how, having placed your hero on the “wrong” side, you’re going to have him emerge with some glory at the end of the hostilities. Many, many thanks for all the pleasure you have given. Richard (and Russell) Hobart

Dear Bernard, Further to my missive of yesterday regarding the location of the South Essex Depot near Chelmsford, I’ve now consulted my copy of Sharpe’s Regiment and it can’t be Hylands as that’s west of Chelmsford and, of course, you (or rather the parson!) tells us that the depot is east of Chelmsford. That means it has to be Danbury, where there are the remains of a Napoleonic Redoubt (maintained by the National Trust). Danbury Palace is not far away so I guess that’s where the depot was! The redoubt, as you probably know, is superbly situated giving a wonderful view across the Crouch valley to the Thames estuary. In Sharpe’s day the bridges across the Crouch at South Woodham Ferrers and North Fambridge would have still been intact so a march down to Foulness would not have been that arduous. Regards Richard Hobart