John McKay served in the Royal Air Force for seven years before embarking on a career in the Fire and Rescue Service. He lives in Wigan, Lancashire, with his wife, Dawn, and has two daughters and two granddaughters.

With a lifelong fascination with the two world wars, John began writing a few years ago, fulfilling an ambition he had held since childhood. He is primarily a writer of Second World War fiction, combining meticulously researched historical settings with compelling fictional characters and stories.

His interest in the Second World War also led him to the Arctic Convoys, and to a friendship with Arctic Convoy veteran Charlie Erswell. John ghostwrote Charlie’s wartime memoir, Surviving the Arctic Convoys: The Wartime Memoir of Leading Seaman Charlie Erswell, published by Pen & Sword in 2021. He subsequently wrote Arctic Convoy PQ18: 25 Days That Changed the Course of the War, an in-depth account of one of the most significant Arctic Convoys of the war.

His writing combines meticulous research with a strong focus on the experiences of the men and women caught up in wartime events. His particular interest is in bringing little-known stories of the Second World War to a wider audience while remaining faithful to the historical record.

Visit John’s website to stay up to date with his news and latest releases.