History is the Plot

Abstract

This contribution is in two parts. Firstly, a ‘documented historical fiction’ account of Private William Nimot, the only frontline New Zealander in World Wars I and II to desert to the enemy; and secondly, an exploration of the choice of this methodology to cover historical events. Private Nimot was originally written as a chapter in the first draft of March to the Sound of the Guns (2008). Deciding it was not relevant to the topic of the book, I then cut it out, other than to make a passing mention of Nimot’s unique status. It sat on the shelf for some years until I thought it might have the makings of a short story.