
Storming Home
British soldier, bodyguard to the stars, boozer and addict - could Billy change?
Monarch Books (Publisher)
Published on 21. June 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-0-85721-255-9 (ISBN)
Description
Son of a missionary, born in the Congo, Billy endured a strict upbringing before escaping to the Army at 16. Despite the brutality and bullying he survived and did well, being fast-tracked for a commission. He met and married Bev, herself a corporal. Billy soon quit the Army to become a bodyguard to the stars, working with Naomi Campbell, Take That, Bee Gees, Arnold Schwarzeneggar, Mel Gibson and others. Billy had always been a drinker but now the celebrity lifestyle introduced him to drugs - dealing, and running with gangsters. He lost his job. Bev and the children suffered as a consequence, and Bev ultimately divorced him. Billy contemplated suicide when a friend reintroduced him to the God he had hated for 30 years. Bev too discovered Christianity: the two would be reconciled, remarry, and have two more children. Now a Baptist pastor, prison chaplain and evangelist, Billy sees in others the miracle that has taken place in himself.
Reviews / Votes
"Billy Gilvear is a remarkable man. From a life dominated by family break-up,drugs & despair, he has been transformed by an encounter with Jesus Christ. He is now a role model for so many people. His story will offer hope to everyone who reads it." -- Revd Nicky Gumbel, Holy Trinity Brompton "A thriller. The pages of Billy's life seem to turn themselves. All the elements of the greatest adventure except this one's true!" -- Revd Anthony Delaney, Leader Ivy Church, Manchester "I have seen first-hand just what an incredible impact Billy's testimony has in the prisons and tough communities where we live. I can't wait now to see this amazing story get the wider audience it deserves." -- Andy Hawthorne OBE, CEO of The Message Trust "From soldier to officer, drug pusher to attempted suicide victim, Billy is an ordinary man who has lived an extraordinary life. No matter how hopeless a situation may appear, his testimony is that there is always hope. I am so glad Billy's remarkable story is now in print, and cannot recommend it highly enough." -- Major Rhett Parkinson RE "Gritty, punchy, brutally honest and very real. This is an incredible story of one man's journey through a living hell to redemption. Buy a copy, read it and give it to a mate." -- Carl Beech, General Director CVM This is a well-written and engaging account of a remarkable life. -- John Gibbs * www.amazon.com * "A compelling story" * The Church Times * "This is a powerful book on a number of levels ... A great book to give to non-Christian men too!" * Evangelicals Now * `The contrast of the love of God in his new life with the darkness of his past is wonderful, and his honesty about the struggles of his new Christian life are very welcome.' -- Heather Tomlinson * Christianity *More details
Edition
New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
SPCK Publishing
Edition type
New edition
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Illustrations
none
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
229 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-85721-255-9 (9780857212559)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Billy Gilvear | Eric Gaudion
Storming Home
British soldier, bodyguard to the stars, boozer and addict - could Billy change?
E-Book
05/2013
Monarch Books
€12.49
Available for download
Persons
Ex-Army hard man and professional bodyguard, Billy's destructive tendencies were brought up short by his encounter with Christ. He became a Baptist pastor, prison chaplain and evangelist. He is now Regional Director for the Eden Project in Manchester.
Content
Contents
Acknowledgments 9
Foreword 11
1. "D" (for Darkest) Day 13
2. Roots and Shoots 17
3. Escape to the Army 30
4. Freedom at Last? 35
5. Hitting the Wall 43
6. Growing Up Fast 51
7. Day of Pride 54
8. P Company 58
9. A Scottish Soldier 67
10. Don't Mention the War! 72
11. Beaconsfield and Bev 84
12. Rowallan Company at Sandhurst 90
13. The White House at Sandhurst 96
14. To Wed or Not to Wed? 101
15. Welcome to the Celebrity Lifestyle! 106
16. Big Breakfast Birthday Bash 111
17. Life in the City 115
18. On the Road 119
19. Touring and Trouble 122
20. A Criminal in All but Name 130
21. Scotland and Attempted Suicide 138
22. Wales Again 146
23. Farmyard Miracle 154
24. My New Family 165
25. "Good Morning, God!" 172
26. Making a Big Splash 180
27. "On Your Knees, Pal!" 185
28. Walking the Walk 191
29. Enlisting Again for Active Service 194
30. The Great Questions of Life 202
Acknowledgments 9
Foreword 11
1. "D" (for Darkest) Day 13
2. Roots and Shoots 17
3. Escape to the Army 30
4. Freedom at Last? 35
5. Hitting the Wall 43
6. Growing Up Fast 51
7. Day of Pride 54
8. P Company 58
9. A Scottish Soldier 67
10. Don't Mention the War! 72
11. Beaconsfield and Bev 84
12. Rowallan Company at Sandhurst 90
13. The White House at Sandhurst 96
14. To Wed or Not to Wed? 101
15. Welcome to the Celebrity Lifestyle! 106
16. Big Breakfast Birthday Bash 111
17. Life in the City 115
18. On the Road 119
19. Touring and Trouble 122
20. A Criminal in All but Name 130
21. Scotland and Attempted Suicide 138
22. Wales Again 146
23. Farmyard Miracle 154
24. My New Family 165
25. "Good Morning, God!" 172
26. Making a Big Splash 180
27. "On Your Knees, Pal!" 185
28. Walking the Walk 191
29. Enlisting Again for Active Service 194
30. The Great Questions of Life 202