Beyond the Dark Oceans | Dramatic WWI Family Saga by Alison Huntingford

Beyond the Dark Oceans
by Alison Huntingford

A family united, a family divided…
In 1906, the Huntingford family leaves England for a hopeful new life in Canada, but for eldest son Georgy, the promise of opportunity quickly becomes a test of endurance, responsibility, and fate. As he comes of age amid the hardships of immigrant life, the outbreak of the First World War pulls him back across the ocean and into a world forever changed by loss and sacrifice.
When Georgy’s brother disappears in the chaos of war, grief and uncertainty fracture the family he is fighting to hold together. Reunited with his cousin Nellie, Georgy finds solace in a love as powerful as it is forbidden—one that offers hope in the darkest of times while threatening to tear his family apart.
Based on true events, Beyond the Dark Oceans is a moving story of love, loyalty, and resilience, exploring how ordinary lives are shaped—and divided—by extraordinary moments in history.

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Please enjoy an excerpt:

LOVE IN WARTIME
London, 1917

September 4th, 1917 was a clear, bright evening. There was a faint hint of autumn in the air as Georgy met Nellie at the station, to go to the theatre. She was wearing her best dress, a deep blue crepe de chine, and her hair softly curled around her face in a most becoming way.
‘You look beautiful,’ said Georgy impulsively, then wondered if he should have said it. Nellie blushed slightly and thanked him demurely.
‘You look very smart as well,’ she replied.
Georgy had his best dress uniform on. They weren’t allowed to wear civilian clothing even on days off, which seemed a shame. This emphasised the fact that their life was the army now and nothing else.
She took his arm, and they promenaded along to the Prince of Wales Theatre.
‘It looks so grand,’ said Nellie in awe. ‘I’ve been past the theatres often enough but never been to a show. This is a real treat!’
‘You deserve it,’ Georgy told her. ‘All that night work. You are very brave to go out at that time and work. Don’t you get scared?’
‘No, not really,’ replied Nellie. ‘All the raids have been in the daytime anyway and I feel I’m doing my bit to help in a small way.’
They took their seats in great excitement. The plush red velour seats were set in circular tiers before the grand proscenium arch and stage. An ornate ceiling and curtained private boxes added the final touch. The theatre was a vision of ivory, gold and deepest red. Georgy bought them both a cone of ice cream and they settled down to enjoy the show.
They had a wonderful time together. The operetta was light and amusing with memorable songs, and a romantic theme. Sitting next to Nellie in the seats, Georgy found he seemed to brush up against her frequently. His arm longed to creep around her shoulders. But should he?
The show finished and Georgy was reluctant to let the magic end. As they left the theatre, he suggested that they walk by the river for a while. The sky was clear with stars shining down, and it seemed a shame to waste the beautiful night. Nellie wrapped her shawl closely about her and joyfully went along with Georgy’s suggestion.
They reached the Victoria Embankment and started to meander along by the river. Suddenly there was an enormous roar, and out of nowhere, it seemed, German Gotha aircraft appeared in the sky. Bombs started to fall all around them with flashes of light and fire.
‘Run!’ cried Georgy, grabbing Nellie’s arm. ‘Let’s get to some shelter.’
A terrible sight met their eyes as they fled. Some other like-minded people, strolling by the Thames, had been struck down and killed. There were screams and cries all around. The two of them stumbled along the embankment looking for a safe haven.
‘Quick! Up this street!’ cried Nellie. ‘It goes to the underground station.’
They headed up the Strand, as buildings around them, succumbed to the furious onslaught from above. Dust, rubble, fire – it was terrifying.
‘There’s Charing Cross. Let’s go in there!’ shouted Georgy.
As they neared the entrance to the station, however, a massive high explosive bomb landed right next to them. They were torn apart and flung to the ground, covered in shattered bricks and dust. The blast knocked Georgy out, and when he came to, he couldn’t see Nellie anywhere. The building opposite was aflame, with a ferocity he could not have imagined. Broken glass was everywhere, and people lay on the street, injured or dead – he didn’t know. Where was Nellie?
Georgy was frantic and started searching.
‘Nellie! Nellie!’ he shouted, staggering through the ruins, searching the bodies on the ground in terrible fear that she was among the casualties. Tears ran down his face. Panic overwhelmed him. He felt desperate. Anxious minutes went by. Suddenly, he heard his name called feebly from nearby. He turned and there she was, covered in dust, her beautiful dress in shreds and her hair full of dirt. She staggered towards him, dazed but uninjured.
‘Nellie!’ He rushed to her. ‘Oh, I thought I’d lost you forever,’ he cried. ‘Oh Nellie. I love you so much. I couldn’t stand to lose you!’
He held her in his arms and kissed her again and again, not even thinking what he was doing. To his joy, she responded eagerly. Suddenly Georgy came to his senses and realised what had happened.
‘Nellie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I just – oh, I love you – I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t be sorry, Georgy,’ Nellie responded breathlessly. ‘I love you too. I always have done. Don’t ever leave me. But please, let’s find somewhere safer!’
They stumbled into a nearby underground station, arms around each other, not wanting to let go. In the muted dim light below, they waited with many others until the raid finally subsided an hour later. In a quiet corner, they took their time to caress, to kiss, and to consider their situation. Should they tell anyone? What would Aunt Mary say? What should they do next? They didn’t know. All they knew was their newfound love.

Alison Huntingford is a writer with a deep passion for family history and storytelling. With a background rooted in the rich traditions of the Huntingford family, Alison seeks to honour the stories passed down through generations. She is the author of a successful series of works that explore historical and personal narratives. She is an only child of two only children and so has always felt a distinct lack of family. This has inspired her work.
After an upheaval in her personal life, Alison achieved a degree in humanities with literature through the Open University which helped to give her a new start. A teaching career followed which then led naturally to writing. She is now retired from full-time work, but busier than ever.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their pets, listening to music, going to the cinema, and gardening on her allotment. She also runs the South Hams Authors Network, a local writers collective based in South Devon.