Hi Handbaglady,
He's Brendan Behan, a minor Irish writer, and a man who drank more than was good for him.
A book that I'd recommend to one and all is: The Sword of Honour Trilogy by Evelyn Waugh.
It's set during the war and there are some brilliant comic passsages in it.
Haven't read any of hers but I'm willing to try. Will either go to the library or try amazon. I'll keep you posted when I get them, hopefully in the right order. I was right about having a swig.