THE explosion on board the French Maillé Brézé destroyer off Greenock during WW2 is still recalled with shock by those who were in the town that day in April, 1940.

Neal Ascherson, who arrived in Greenock the following year, was so haunted by what he heard about the incident that, at the age of 84, he has produced his first novel, based on how a Polish major and others were affected by it.

The Death of the Fronsac, published tomorrow by Apollo, is a page-turner peppered with twists and dry humour, but is also often sad and poignant.

Neal is a modest character who has enjoyed a distinguished career as a foreign correspondent for national newspapers, reporting from Asia, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and is also a noted historian.

He wrote scripts for the monumental 1970s TV series, ‘The World at War’, sitting in the studio alongside Sir Laurence Olivier as the legendary thespian read them.

Neal lived in Union Street, one of many local locations featured in a story that conjures up memorable characters and describes vividly the wartime atmosphere.

I interviewed him at the Free French Memorial on Lyle Hill, where he was captivated by the views which brought back many memories for him.

He said he believed firmly there should be a plaque on the memorial to commemorate those who died and suffered injuries on the Maillé Brézé.

That would be a fitting tribute to his engrossing book.