A BUDDING author, hoping to document the tales of Bermuda's veterans, is appealing to local war heroes and relatives of those who have passed on, to provide him with the information he needs to complete his book.

In return for their assistance, Craig Harris hopes to provide a permanent record of their experiences and fill what he sees as a void in Bermuda's documentation of historical events.

"Perhaps it's not a big (story)," he said, "but I think it's an important one that's perhaps been overlooked. I don't want to turn anyone away.

"I don't want to be so clearly defined that (anyone might consider) their story too low-key. They don't have to be the son of a war hero to call me. I'm very proud of what my own family did and would like to think that same pride exists in other families."

Mr. Harris, a regular writer of arts and entertainment features locally, said he had always wanted to write a book but that initially, he wasn't sure what its focus should be.

"My uncle had been in Holland serving with the Bermuda forces in World War Two," he said, "and I had always been interested in history and certainly in Bermudian history. (Making a permanent record of the stories of war veterans) has, especially recently, been a large project in the rest of the world.

"They've hinted that, five or ten years from now, everyone from that era will be gone and so, it finally occurred to me to write a book about them. It was one instance where I thought I was capable and would be able to see the gauntlet through."

He was aware of the tribute - Bermuda's Defence Heritage - to the island's war veterans and fortifications which recently opened at the Commissioner's House at the Bermuda Maritime Museum, the writer said, but his body of work would serve as a more detailed form of public record. As such, he was interested in documenting all manner of stories - from the humorous to the sad.

"I want to do my best to capture and record them. I'm sure their relatives would be interested in seeing a record made. There's so many interesting stories out there. Not just (depicting the experience of the war vets), I'm sure there are some great homeland stories out there as well.

"I'd even like to talk with the wives about what it was like at home, knowing their husbands were off fighting. How often they received mail. How much of it was censored. How, for example, it took six months before the family received any word from the father."

Mr. Harris said he had talked over his plans with some companies locally, and it was suggested that, upon its completion, the book could be put on CD-ROM and placed in schools as a learning aid to students.

"Perhaps, through the media, it can grow and live on in other formats," he said.

"But my first goal is based on my skills as a writer. (The book is) something I would like to be Bermudianised. Something through which people can tell their stories and relate their experiences. Something people can understand."

4 Those with information should contact Mr. Harris by telephone at 238-1733 or via e-mail: mfpnorthrock.bm