Brookfield Resident's WWII Memoirs Considered For A Motion Picture

Howard M. Layton is a local businessman and writer with a most riveting and romantic story to tell. He is the author of Love and Sand, a memoir of his years as a flyer with the Royal Air Force during World War II, available in bookstores now.

The inspiring story is the second book of a planned trilogy and shares incredible accounts of airmanship and valor spanning the course of the war -- from such historic events as the battle of El Alamein, considered the Allies first decisive victory; to the "Flying Circus" escorted evacuation of Greece; the Western Desert bombing of Erwin Rommel's forces; the highly precarious Trans-Africa Aircraft deliveries; to the noble goodwill missions of Tripoli.

Yet for all its adventure, the warmth, passion and cohesive element of this story is the author's undying love of Verna, the graceful, British beauty he both adored and betrayed. Their time together and apart are relayed with honesty and sensitivity, evoking the tender communion of the reader with not only their plight, but with the distinct and vibrant tone of the era. So moving is this rendering, that it has caught the attention of film producer Alan R. Brown, of New Canaan, and is currently in the pre-production phases of becoming a motion picture.

When asked his feelings about Love and Sand being made for the big screen, Mr. Layton said, "I'm thrilled to bits with the idea. It's a means of capping off a career and satisfies me thoroughly. I am enjoying adapting the book for the screen and hope to perhaps play a part in the film, as I was an actor myself for several years." He was a member of British Actor's Equity and indeed earned a living as an actor for five years. He played before Queen Mary and had the honor of being presented to her as well. He acted with Elizabeth Taylor in the film The Conspirator standing in a considerable portion of the film for Robert Taylor who, due to a scheduling conflict, had only time to shoot close-ups for the movie.

Layton has been a Brookfield resident for over 20 years now. He is the co-owner and founder of a company that manufactures optical lens processing machinery based in Danbury for 50 years. The Thirteen Club, the first book of the aforementioned trilogy, was published in 2000 and tells the story of how the author came to settle in America, his marriage to his second wife Narcissza, and the building up of the company they own. He is a licensed pilot still today, having owned a Piper high performance airplane for 10 years, he's accumulated 1,000 hours of flying for his business.

The next writing project for Layton is the last book of the trilogy called Short Pants. It depicts the author's life in England as a child growing up in a broken home and the story of Alec Layton, his father, a World War I hero and a man with quite a fascinating saga of his own. For more information, visit his website.