The Idlewood Archives: A Time of War

Formerly Titled The Duty That Lies Before Us

Book currently under revision, slight formatting and editing changes will be taking place in the next few months. Feel free to keep reading, no major changes will be made!

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Part One: Childhood (1934)

Part Two: World War II: The Early Years (1939-1941)

Part Three: War in the Desert (1942-1943)

Part Four: Invading Europe (1944)

Part Five: The Beginning of the End (1944-1945)

This book is dedicated with great respect, love, and gratitude to my great grandparents, Elmer and Marjorie, the "ordinary heroes" of this long-ago time.

"Let us have faith that right makes might; and in that faith let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it."

-Abraham Lincoln

A tale of World War II and the ordinary heroes of this time. Ordinary people thrown into the greatest conflict the world has ever seen. From soldiers and sailors and nurses in the midst of the battles to the mothers and fathers and sweethearts holding down the homefront. From the first rumors of war to the bombing of Pearl Harbor to naval battles in the Pacific to the sacrifice of D-Day, to the frozen nightmare of the Battle of Bulge. Frightened refugees, prisoners of war, men and women giving their all for freedom and peace.

Author's Note: Since this book is set during a war, there will be depictions of violent scenes. I don't dwell on gore, because that's dreadful, but there are battle scenes and people will be wounded and dying. I will post more specific warnings on certain chapters. This book is rated PG-13.

Meet the Characters

Robert Hayes

Robert "Rob" Hayes is a middle-aged farmer, slightly crippled in one leg due to an old injury during the Battle of Amiens in World War I. He married his highschool sweetheart seventeen years after his return from the war, they having been separated by unforseen circumstances. He's a tall man with dark hair sprinkled with grey, laughing green Irish eyes, and a deep, booming voice. He's passionate about farming and loves being close to nature. He holds traditional values such as honor, duty, and respect in high regard.

Myra Hayes

Myra Hayes is the wife of Robert Hayes. Sweet and motherly, she is known for her mouth-watering pies and cookies. She is tender and gentle with the little creatures around the farm and takes all the new baby animals under her wing as well as plays second mother to many of the children of Jefferson. She's a slim, almost frail-looking woman, although stronger than she seems, with hair the color of "ripe wheat" and big, soft blue eyes.

Joshua Campbell Hayes

Joshua "Josh" Campbell Hayes is the adopted son of Rob and Myra. Thirteen years old at the start of the book, he is shy and awkward at first, but warms to his new family. He becomes best friends with Ronnie, the boy next door and sort of friendly rivals with Ronnie's younger sister, Emma. They tease each other mercilessly all through their childhood. Obsessed with machinery and its inner workings, Josh hopes to pursue a career in mechanics. Growing to slightly taller than average height, Josh looks similar to Rob with wavy dark hair and green eyes.

Ronnie Stewart

Ron "Ronnie" Stewart (never actually called by his full name Ronald) is the oldest son of the family next door. Fourteen at the beginning of the book, he is quiet and yet friendly, best at home out-of-doors and working on his family's farm. A natural-born leader, he's a sort of "big brother" figure to the boys of Jefferson as they all look up to him to take responsibility and keep everyone in line. Excellent with animals, he hopes to take over the farm someday and add high-quality breeding stock to the farm's assets. Growing to above-average height, Ronnie is wiry and strong, wears glasses, and has blond hair and grey-blue eyes.

Emma Ruth Stewart

Emma Ruth Stewart, is twelve at the beginning of the book. Energetic and positive, her enthusiasm is catching. She knows how to draw out the best in people and is known for her compassion and care for others. She loves to read and devours every book she can get her hands on, often using book phrases in everyday life and relating people to the characters she loves. As she grows older, her love of caring for others leads her to pursue a career in nursing. Growing to average height, slim and strong, she has dark hair and lively, sparkling dark eyes. Credit to Ann for helping me develop this character.

Kathryn Stewart

Kathryn "Katie" Stewart is ten at the beginning of the book. Inheriting some of her sister's spunk and some of her brother's calm, she forms a mix between the two. Sweet and loving, she forms friendships with everyone she meets and manages to bring joy and comfort into many lives. She sometimes considers a teaching career, but prefers the idea of staying at home and someday becoming a wife and mother. Small and slightly-built, she has light brown hair and large dark eyes.

Mickey Stewart

Michael "Mickey" Stewart is four at the beginning of the book. The baby of the family, he dreams only of high adventure and runs wild with his buddies playing cowboys and pirates and soldiers. He promises to grow as tall as his brother and is dark with blue eyes and a generous sprinkling of freckles. Credit to Seonaid for helping me develop this character.

Jerry Bailey

Jerry is twelve at the beginning of the book. He is known in town as a bit of a rascal and often ends up as Josh's "partner in crime". He is fun-loving, lively, and always on the lookout for an adventure.

Melissa

Melissa "Lissie" is twelve years old at the beginning of the book. Best friends with Emma, she is timid and shy, but grows more talkative upon further acquaintance. The doctor's daughter, she shies away from her father's career and is terrified of anything medical. The only thing she and Emma have in common is their love for books and they grow somewhat distant as they grow older. Considered by many to be the prettiest girl in Jefferson, she is small and slim with golden hair and big hazel eyes.

Mac Scott

Malcom (Mac) Isaac Scott is the son of a WWI veteran and immigrant from Scotland. Growing up in Minnesota, he is known for the characteristic Scottish temper (which earns him the nickname "Cat" from his army buddies) but balances his temper with his sense of humor. Fair and dependable, yet adventurous and impulsive. A huge thank you to Emily for developing this character!!

Rachel Cohen

Rachel is a young German-Jewish woman fleeing the Holocaust in Nazi-occupied Belgium with her baby Benjamin. Shy, quiet, and sweet-tempered, her entire life revolves around her baby and she cares only for his safety.

Isaac Cohen