Former actor tells pupils of new chapter in his life

But after turning his back on Hollywood he earnt critical acclaim for his gritty memoir of his time in Afghanistan after embarking on a career as a journalist and author.

Yesterday he shared his experiences with pupils at Harrogate’s Ashville College as part of the school’s World Book Day celebrations in a bid to inspire youngsters to embrace the world of literature.

Mr Benitz, who played Midshipman Peter Calamy in the 2003 film, spoke his book, Six Months Without Sundays, a candid account of the day-to-day life for British soldiers in Afghanistan.

After studying at the universities of Edinburgh and Calcutta, Mr Benitz worked as an actor, before becoming a freelance journalist reporting on the military. In April 2010, at the age of 24, he was taken up on his offer to go to Afghanistan and chronicle his experiences among the Scots Guards.

Geri Clift, librarian at Ashville College, said: “Our World Book Day activities are always popular with pupils and highlight the value of literature in the development of young people.”

World Book Day is being celebrated on Thursday.