Resident author lifts neighbours’ spirits

Odyssey Lifestyle Care Communities is celebrating the release of Saving Baby Henry, written by one of their very own residents, Dr Charles Margerison.

Dr Margerison, who is 84 years-old, is the president and founder of Amazing People Worldwide, a psychologist, and a previous professor of management at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom and the University of Queensland. He was also the co-founder of Emerald Publications and Team Management Systems.

For the past 20 years, Dr Margerison has been researching and writing a novel about one of Australia’s founding mothers and first millionaires, Susannah Holmes, whose son was saved by a “forgotten hero.”

Holmes had given birth while in an English prison, but the newborn was not permitted to accompany her on the convict ship leaving for Australia, as he was not a convict.

“John Simpson, the jailer who had escorted Susannah Holmes to the boat, was literally left holding her baby and had to make a life-or-death decision,” said Dr Margerison.

“This is the story of how the baby’s life was saved against all odds.”

Dr Margerison said he learnt about the story through a friend of his, who is a descendant of Susannah Holmes and Henry Kable.

Enamoured with the story of the forgotten jailor who saved a newborn baby, Dr Margerison travelled to Surlingham, the birthplace of Ms Holmes, and Thetford, where she was tried and convicted, so he could verify the details.

While there, he said he visited sites such as Norwich Castle Prison to access the historic records, all of which are included in the book. But he did not find any public recognition of John Simpson, the hero of Dr Margerison’s book.

“In Australia, I visited the places where the Kable family lived,” he said.

“I have therefore, told John Simpson’s remarkable story as if I had interviewed him and have linked these in a novel form.”

Chief executive officer and founder of Odyssey Phil Usher said the way Dr Margerison brought the story to life was inspiring, and his work was a point of pride within the community. 

“Charles’ book is an incredible example of what’s possible when someone dedicates themselves to their passion – something we wholeheartedly encourage here at Odyssey,” he said.

“The book has already become a hit with Odyssey’s book club, who have been captivated and thrilled to read something written by one of their own.”

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