Tom Hanlin 1907- 1953

Tom Hanlin was a native of Armadale( where this seal currently labours). Now largely forgotten  he was a minor local celebrity, local boy made good, whose writings reflected his surroundings, surroundings utterly unfamiliar to most novelists then. After leaving school at 14 he worked for years as a miner and, after an accident, began writing when recuperating. West Lothian Council are naming a new road after him which is welcome. I wonder how many towns and villages retain affection for a local writer now largely forgotten. His book "Yesterday Will Return" is long out of print but I thought I'd show the two editions which reflect changing attitudes following World War Two. The first emphasises the mining heritage which permeates the book. The second, from the early Fifties highlights what appears to be a temptress and her name even usurps the original title. Who says sex began between the Lady Chatterley Trial and The Beatles' first LP?!