An Enniskillen man has written a new novel about the unlikely friendship between an American solider stationed in Enniskillen and a young boy growing up in Enniskillen during World War II.

David McCann has recently released his third novel, ‘A Boy Called Yank’, which tracks the friendship between an American solider based in Enniskillen during World War II and a young boy from the town.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, David revealed that an interest in history and the stories he heard about American troops in Fermanagh while he was growing up had a huge impact on the novel.

He said: “My grandfather and a friend of my father’s, called John Gordon, would have talked about the American troops.

“My grandfather wasn’t a storyteller but if you asked him about something he’d tell you about it.

“One time he told me about the American troops that were stationed here in Enniskillen and I have an interest in history anyway, so I researched it about them being in Northern Ireland, and I read up on it and thought to myself, ‘It was quite interesting and there could be a story in it’,” revealed David.

This is David’s third novel and like his previous two, it is a form of historical fiction where the plot is fictional but is based on a real time in history.

He had previously written novels about the role of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC).

Describing his philosophy about writing, David said: “I think a story cannot be just created – I think there has to be a certain amount of truth.”

It was an interest in history that has resonated in David’s writing. He said: “I have an interest in all kinds of history, whether it be the 1920s in Ireland, the American Civil War, or different things.

“It has always been an interest to me, but just the fact the Americans were stationed here, I thought it was the perfect place to put the story into, and to weave the story around the reality of the American troops who were here.”

American soldiers who were based in Fermanagh covered a wide area. David explained that they could be found in different places across the county, listing places such as Celtic Park, Ely Lodge, Castle Archdale and Castle Coole as well as Enniskillen Castle and Crom Castle.

Describing the plot of the story, David said: “There is a young guy from Enniskillen, who I’ve called Conor, and he befriends a solider from Brooklyn, New York, so there is a contrast there from coming from a wee isolated town to someone who is from a big city, it is two very different perspectives.

“I did some research on the American army training camps and it is just the fact that he came here and becomes friends with the young guy [that’s central to this story].”

It is hoped by David and his publishers that as well as an interest for a local audience here in Enniskillen, there could be hopes that ‘A Boy Called Yank’ may pick up an American audience when it is released in the USA.

A Boy Called Yank’ by David McCann is published by Foreshore Publishing and is available to purchase locally in Waterstones, Enniskillen.