Bruce Kennard-Simpson was born in Torquay in 1929 and from a very early age surrounded himself with books. He became a passionate lifelong reader. During World War 2, Bruce attended boarding school in Taunton and afterwards spent two years’ National Service in the Royal Air Force, a time he thoroughly enjoyed. Throughout his life, Bruce has written numerous novels, children’s stories and poetry. The Birth and Birth of Charley Johnson, a biographical novel, was published by Austin Macauley in 2021 and this, The Adventures of Captain Horatio Catte, is one of his fondest works as it was written originally for his five children back in the 1960s. As well as his passion for writing, Bruce inherited his mother’s talent for music and composed many pieces for the piano. His playing has been featured on national radio. In 1972 after a successful business career, Bruce purchased and renovated a beautiful Queen Ann period hotel in East Devon and ran this as a family business for over 20 years prior to his retirement. He continued to write and compose music into his early 90s. Bruce Kennard-Simpson. 29th March 1929 – 24th March 2022