Biography, memoirs and reminiscences & Genealogy
BIOGRAPHY, MEMOIRS AND REMINISCENCES:
LAWRENCE OF ARABIA
Mirage of a Desert War
Author:
Adrian Greaves
Publisher:
Orion House
Published 2007
UK Price £20.00 (Hardback)
As T.E. Lawrence is one of the most enigmatic characters in British History, much has already been written about him, however this splendid volume is very different from the other previous titles, as it separates truth from all the fiction that surrounds this legendary man and covers the battles in which he fought in greater detail than anything previously written. It also goes further in the respect that is goes on where others have stopped and describes events involving Lawrence after the war.
Lawrence was 26 when war broke out and was already working as an archaeologist in the Middle East. Despite no previous military training or experience, he was quickly sent to work in Cairo as a junior intelligence officer. From those humble beginnings, the rest is history, for as we all now know, he went on to succeed in a task where many others had failed and united the Arab people and led them to victory against their arch enemy-the Turks.
This splendid volume will fascinate serious military historians and casual readers alike, as it goes great lengths to dispel the many myths surrounding this eccentric hero, who in reality was much more ruthless than the man depicted in the film. It is well known, that he was a man who hated both politicians and senior officers, however it may surprise many to learn that he had originally been nominated for a Victoria Cross, however this was refused by the War Office. In later years he was invited to meet the King at Buckingham Palace, however once there, having learned he was to receive a probable Knighthood and a Victoria Cross, he quickly made his excuses and departed, leaving a very embarrassed King holding the awards with no recipient to pin them on!
The very readable text is supported with some excellent historically important personae involved in the events and a detailed list of historical documents invaluable for further research. In summary, it is a superb, excellent value for money read.
SOMME HARVEST
Author: Giles E M Eyre
Publisher: Naval and Military Press
ISBN: 1843421097
First Published 1938 Re-Published By Naval and Military Press 2001
UK Price: 9.95
Sub titled “Memories of a P .B. I. in the Summer of 1916” his excellent and very moving volume recalls the war time experiences of a rifleman whilst serving in the 2nd Battalion of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps as he fought in the trenches of France in the period between May and July 1916.
Some may of course wonder how one man – an ordinary Rifleman, could fill a 260 page volume with his experiences, for what is, in the whole context of the Great War, a relatively short period of time. Having read the volume from cover to cover, I can now appreciate that this brave but amazingly un-decorated man experienced more fighting and scenes of death and carnage than many did in the whole of the war and perhaps their lifetime too.
The author enlisted in August 1914, and having served in one of the two Special Reserve battalions at Sheerness, was soon posted to 7th KRRC (one of the first of that regiment’s Kitchener battalions) at Winchester. He moved to France with his battalion in May 1915 and subsequently fought at Hooge when the Germans used the dreadful flame-thrower for the first time and on the 30th July that year alone, his battalion suffered no less than 300 casualties. In December 1915 he too was wounded and returned to England to convalesce. hence the reason this account opens after he returned to France, when his new battalion (2 KRRC ) launched a large scale raid on the Triangle at Loos – a raid which cost over 240 casualties, including Rifleman William Mariner VC, who was blown to pieces in front of the author! Graphic descriptions of further bitter fighting follow and cover subsequent events up until the actions at Bazentin and Pozières Ridge where his battalion commander, company commander and sergeant major were killed and he was eventually taken prisoner.
Military historians with a general interest in the Great War and family history researchers with a special interest in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps will find this volume fascinating. Many men are mentioned by name too, therefore aiding research.
It is yet another excellent value for money volume from this publisher that so many of us a grateful to, for making our research affordable.
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OLD SOLDIER SAHIB
Author: Frank Richards DCM. MM
Publisher: Naval and Military Press
www.naval-military-press.com
ISBN: 1843425580
UK Price: 8.00
If you want to know what life was like for the ordinary soldier in the early years of the 20th century, this is one volume you should purchase today! I personally found it fascinating and a delight to read and as a result, have now moved swiftly on to the sequel “Old Soldiers Never Die”.
Frank Richards was born in 1884.He enlisted in the Royal Welch Fusiliers at Brecon in April 1901- just three months after the death of Queen Victoria. Having trained for a short time in the UK, he went on to serve with that particular regiment in both India and Burma for the remainder of his 9 year engagement.
This really is a marvellous book. It packed to the hilt with tales of nostalgia that will provide both the military historian and researcher as well as the casual reader with hours of enjoyable reading.
Taking you back to the days of the Empire before the outbreak of the Great War, the author eloquently describes life his time as a “squaddie” in Kipling’s India, and his unusual experiences during the famous Delhi Durbar. Believe it or not, despite the heat and disease, it didn’t sound that bad –but judge for yourself!
It is a very reasonably priced volume- I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
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THE LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL HUGHIE STOCKWELL
Author: Jonathan Riley
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1 84415 5048
Published: October 2006
UK Price: 25.00
This is the excellent and highly detailed biography of a most remarkable soldier, who having commanded a West African division, was once referred to by Monty, as a “bow and arrow soldier”.
Hugh Charles Stockwell was commissioned into the Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1923 and in spite of the fact he was not a staff college graduate, he enjoyed a distinguished military career which included him rising from the rank of Major to Major General in just four years! He was a man of great courage with excellent leadership and personal qualities, which led to him being held in great esteem by his superiors and peers together with those who served under him.
A protégé of Monty, Stockwell held a number of senior appointments - which included commanding the Anglo-French land forces during the Suez crisis and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe in 1960-64. Knighted for his part in operations in Palestine, he was also awarded a DSO, CB, CBE and three Mentions In Despatches.
The author - a serving Major General himself, has successfully provided the reader with a fascinating insight into the life of this very talented man. I am therefore sure that readers will be as engrossed as I was as they read this very fitting and long overdue tribute to an exceptional man.
***
There’s A Devil In The Drum
Author: J.F.Lucy
Publisher: Naval and Military Press
ISBN: 1 84342 110
First Published 1932 Re-Published By Naval and Military Press
UK Price: 9.95
The simple cover and unusual title do not do this splendid book any favours, for I can honestly say that this is one of the most eloquent and most interesting accounts of the Great War I have read in recent years!
This excellent volume tells the fascinating story of John Lucy, a young man from Cork, who shortly after leaving school, was, along with his brother locked out of their home by their Father one evening and told to stay out. They therefore travelled to Dublin and being full of life and spirit and seeking adventure, joined the Royal Irish Rifles in January 1912.
After training at the depot and subsequent postings to both Dover and Tidworth, they joined the 2nd Battalion as it moved to France. Sadly his brother was killed at the Aisne, however John saw action at Mons, Le Cateau, the Aisne, 3rd Ypres , Cambrai and Neuve-Chapelle where his unit was reduced to just 2 officers and 46 men, when 181 men were killed in less than four days!
This brave young man eventually received a well deserved commissioned and saw further action before he received wounds that meant his return to England and the end of the war.
This is a superb book will be invaluable to military historians with an interest in the Great War and the Irish Divisions, it is one of the few volumes available that describe the early battles of 1914. In 1938, a critic wrote - ‘it is easily the best [war book] written by an Irishman’ – this in my opinion is still true and therefore many will not want to be without it.
An excellent publication that is worth every penny at just under ten pounds!
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VETERANS
The Last Survivors of The Great War
Author: Richard Van Emden & Steve Humphries
Publisher: Pen & Sword Military
www.pen-and-sword.co.ukFirst Published in 2006
UK Price: £9.99
Cynics may well say we have seen enough books published in the past year or so that are based on interviews with survivors of The Great War. It is true that there have been many of these to date and I am sure, that there will be more will come as we approach the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme this year, however I can thoroughly recommend this particular volume as not only does it make fascinating reading, but due to its handy size and very reasonable price, it is ideal to take on holiday or when travelling.
Although I have read the majority of books that fall into this category, I found this one so interesting and thought provoking, I was unable to put it down. Besides featuring many excellent black and white photographs that help put the excellent narrative into perspective, it is packed to the hilt with true and often remarkable stories and personal reminiscences that cover every human emotion possible.
In common with similar books recently published, a great many of the survivors featured, have since passed away since, therefore bringing it home to us all, just how important these volumes are for both today’s and future generations to come.
This volume of course covers the tales of those who fought at the front, it also features the stories of nurses, munitions workers and those of the children and young women who remained at home, who lost their fathers, fiancées and husbands too.
In summary, any one with the slightest interest in the Great War will, I am sure thoroughly enjoy reading this publication – it’s a must for your library!
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UNDER FIRE IN THE DARDANELLES
Edited By : Kira Charatan & Camilla Cecil
Publisher
First Published in 2005
UK Price £19.99
This is one volume that is well worth the price, for the many splendid photographs it contains alone!
This excellent book is based on the photographs and Great War diaries of the Honourable Major Edward Cadogan – the Old Etonian, Oxbridge graduate and London aristocrat who served initially in the Suffolk Yeomanry before moving on to become Commander of the Palestine Intelligence Corps during the Great War. Presumed lost until their recent discovery by Viscount Chelsea, these diaries are unique and therefore provide a most important and valuable source of information , that will prove to be of use to both the military historian and researcher alike.
The fascinating story of how he, a man so used to a life of luxury and grandeur , was suddenly exposed to the danger of constant shell-fire, discomfort and hardship in the trenches of Gallipoli, is actually told in his own sensitive words and of course via these excellent photographs. They reveal obvious frustration at the conduct of the war and his inner thoughts, but also portray the amazing comradeship of his men and colleagues too.
After his evacuation from the Dardanelles Peninsular, Cadogan served in Egypt, North Africa and Palestine, where he fought in both the first and second Battles of Gaza. He left the army in 1919 and returned to politics. Having served as a Conservative M.P. in a number of constituencies, despite his age, he later volunteered for service as a Pilot Officer in the RAF during World War 2.
In a nutshell, a most fascinating book, that will, without a doubt be appreciated by anyone with an interest in the Gallipoli Campaign or indeed the Great War in general.
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LAST POST
Author: Max Arthur
Publisher: Weidenfield & Nicholson
ISBN: 10 0297 84644 2
Published in 2005
UK Price £16.99
Recalling in the very words of those who actually served in what was perhaps the most horrific conflict in our history, this fascinating book describes what it was like to live through the months leading up to the Great War, the years of fighting and deprivation in the trenches, together with their feelings and suffering in the years that followed.
When the author interviewed the last remaining British Veterans of the war, there were just 21 still living. The youngest at that time was 104 and the oldest 109, since then however more have died and therefore this extraordinary collection of stories from men who experienced events during a lifetime that spanned from the reign of Queen Victoria, through to and past the Millennium, will be invaluable not only to our present generations, but those of the future.
In the remarkable and moving interviews, these extraordinary men felt that they spoke not only for themselves, but for their friends and comrades of a lost generation that did not live to tell the tale. They were sometimes sad and perhaps bewildered and on occasions, often a little bitter or angry too, however in some cases, they told tales of happier times also.
Following the success of Max Arthur’s two earlier titles - Forgotten Voices of the Great War and Forgotten Voices of the Second World War - excellent works that are now compelling reading for the military historian or enthusiast, as well as those seeking information on the conditions in which their forefathers lived, there is now doubt that this particular volume will prove to be a best seller too and at only £16.99 is extraordinary value for money.
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BRITAIN’S LAST TOMMIES
Author: Richard Van Emden
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published in October 2005
UK Price: £19.99
This is without a doubt, a book that will almost certainly find its way onto many Christmas wish lists this year, as not only is it a must for researchers, military historians, but the casual reader will find it fascinating too. Television addicts will need no introduction to this publication, as it is the superb and well advertised book published to coincide with the splendid and recently screened, two-part BBC documentary recording the remarkable lives of Great War veterans.
The author has already written several highly successful books on various aspects of the Great War and this particular work is the culmination of an amazing 20 years of research and interviews, recording the memories of over 270 veterans and survivors of this global conflict, that was to leave scars on the landscape of France and Belgium and effect generations of Europeans up until the present day.
Out of the six million men and boys who served on the Western Front in the period 1914-1918, there were only 12 veterans still alive as of February this year, therefore emphasising the fact that very soon the tragic events of that time, will go from being classed as living history, into past history and relegated to reference books and archives.
The evocative cover of this book speaks volumes for the contents. It is without a doubt an extraordinary collection of stories, actually told by the veterans themselves. And as one can imagine, many are quite remarkable, a large number are exceptionally sad, however many are also funny too, reminding us that at the end of the day, these brave men were quite remarkable and possessed amazing strength of character and fortitude in the eye of adversity.
There is a splendid collection of black and white and colour photographs taken of the veterans as they were then, as soldiers during the war, together with more recent images of almost all of the same men, taken at home, back on the Western Front and at the final veterans' reunion, and at various investitures some 80 years later!
Finally, this publication includes a unique list of veterans, all of whom, individually hold the poignant title of being the last Gallipoli veteran, the last Royal Flying Corps veteran, the last Distinguished Conduct Medal holder, the last cavalryman and the last Prisoner of War.
All in all, excellent value for money, a thoroughly good read, a splendid source of reference and a fitting tribute to men who in one way or another have carried their memories with them for an amazing number of years, so we can learn from them today.
***
The Diary Of An Old Contemptible
Edited by: Peter Downham
Publisher: Leo Cooper
Pen & Sword Books Limited
First Published: 2004
UK Price: £25.00
Anyone with the slightest interest in the British Army and the Great War will want to read this superb book, it is an excellent read and provides the reader with the most fascinating insight into a very ordinary man’s war.
Edward Roe’s diaries are unique. They tell the incredible story of this young man from Ireland who in 1905, having read of the dashing exploits of the British cavalryman at Balaclava and the Peninsular War, decided to join the Irish Lancers at all costs. Despite his resolve not to be “fobbed off”, he was however “tricked” by the recruiting sergeant and ended up enlisting in the East Lancashire Regiment and served in both India and South Africa during the early 1900’s.
Having served King and Country for a designated total of nine years, Edward returned to his native homeland, where his stay was to be shot-lived however. Being one of the few fully trained and experienced soldiers on the army reserve at that time, his previous army experience was priceless and he was quickly recalled to the colours as war was declared in Europe. Seeing action in Northern France, Gallipoli and Mesopotamia, he witnessed some of the most horrific sights imaginable during the following war years and despite being wounded on three separate occasions, Edward along with his precious diaries survived.
Today, these remarkable journals are preserved in the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment Museum in Preston and now form the basis of this truly excellent volume, which provides us with a wealth of information on the training our troops received, details of their living conditions at home and overseas and of course their life and experiences in the trenches.
Many unique photographs and diagrams back up the most interesting narrative, making this excellent publication a work of historical importance and a “must read” for Great War researchers and historians alike.
* * *
The Life & Selected Works
Of
Rupert Brooke
Author: John Frayn Turner
Publisher: Leo Cooper
Pen & Sword Books Limited
Published in 2004
UK Price: £19.99
“If I should die, think only this of me: That there’s some corner of a foreign field that is forever England”
These immortal words from “The Soldier”- an emotive poem by the Great War poet Rupert Brooke, are often the first thoughts that come into the minds of both battlefield guides and their travellers alike, whilst visiting Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemeteries around their world. I am sure therefore, that the latest edition of this fascinating book will appeal to many GBG Members.
This specialist publication actually encompasses two volumes in one and includes a host of personal photographs from the Brooke private family album. The majority of the book provides the reader with a fascinating insight into Brooke’s early life as well as his short but interesting military career. The second section includes a special selection of Brooke’s remarkable poetry, including the full version of “The Soldier.”
Winston Churchill personally recommended Brooke – one of Britain’s brightest young men and most promising poets for a commission in the Royal Naval Division. Initially serving at Antwerp, he was later sent to Gallipoli, however both his young life and promising military and literary career was brought to a sudden end, when he tragically died from an illness he contracted en-route.
This interesting volume is a fitting tribute to a most gifted man. I feel sure that anyone involved in literary based tours centred around the work of the “Great War poets”, will certainly find it an interesting source of reference and will not wish to be without a copy in their libraries.
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JUST SOLDIERS
Author : Darryl Kelly
Published by: ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee (Queensland) Incorporated
ISBN: 09581625 3 0
This is a really excellent publication, which in the words of the author, is a selection of “stories of ordinary Australians doing extraordinary things in time of war”. The term “stories” may give the wrong impression, as this splendid book, is actually based on fact - not fiction!
Using a vast variety of material, such as unit histories, personal war service records & diaries together with newspaper articles and interviews with veteran’s relatives, to write this very informative volume, the author has succeeded in “capturing” the real spirit of ordinary Australian Soldiers in the Great War.
Not every chapter covers the story of a real war hero! What it does do however, is to provide the reader with a fascinating insight, into the way in which average Australian men and women, together with their fellow family members and friends, answered the call to arms, in support of their country or Motherland, at the time when the world was at a turning point in history. Tales of Glory, triumph, humour, deprivation, suffering, fear, grief, heart-ache and hardship, are all described, in some shape or form, in at least one or more of the fascinating stories told in this brilliant and most entertaining volume.
The very readable text is backed up with a host of excellent photographs. Therefore, I am sure that anyone interested in the Great War, the A.I.F., or Australian history, together with the casual reader, will find this superb book a delight to read and have on ones bookshelves.
(Note: If you are on the Somme, this excellent book is available from Avril Williams’s Tea Rooms at Auchonvillers, priced 32 Euros!).
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Author: Ruth Elwin Harris
Publisher: Naval & Military Press Ltd
www.naval-military-press.co.uk
ISBN: 1843425556
£11.50
The events of the 1st July 1916 (the first day of the Battle of the Somme) are legendary in British military history, as over 19,000 of our troops were killed on that day alone.
Sadly, Captain Wilfred (Billie) Neville of the 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment became one of those fatalities, when he was killed within the first few minutes of the British advance at Montauban. His name has become legendary too, as he was the young British army officer who, having likened the forthcoming attack on the German positions, to a game of football, where his regiment was to play the Bavarians, had issued his men with footballs. – the aim being to boost his men’s morale by encouraging them to kick these balls across No Man’s Land, into the enemy positions.
This superb book is based on over 200 letters Billie wrote home to his family during his time in the army. Covering the period from his enlistment through to the day of his untimely death, these fascinating letters provide the reader with a most remarkable insight into this brave officer’s innermost thoughts as he prepared to face the enemy and the very real and demanding conditions, he along with his men endured during their time in the trenches.
Billie is the true story of a soldier with a sporting spirit, who in line with typical British tradition, certainly “played the game” through to the very end. Therefore, I am sure, this enlightening volume, which contains many excellent photographs will appeal to researchers, battlefield enthusiasts and military historians alike and at £11.50 represents exceptionally good value for money.
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THE VOICE OF WAR
THE SECOND WORLD WAR TOLD BY THOSE WHO FOUGHT IT
Edited By: James Owen & Guy Walters
Publisher: Viking/Penguin
Published:
UK Price: £20.00
As my interest in military history has grown over the years, I am unable to count the number of occasions I wish I had asked relatives and family friends about their military service during the two world wars. Sadly, as the years have passed, the majority of my older relatives, along with many veterans of these conflicts have long since passed away and more often than not, taken their memories and experiences with them.
I am sure therefore that many will agree with me and confirm there is nothing to compare with an eye witness account of an event or an action to give a true indication of what really happened during those dark war years, which are now such an important part of our world history. Therefore this superb volume, which is packed from cover to cover with over 300 eye witness accounts and personal recollections of everyone from the average and unknown civilian caught up in these terrible conflicts through to the famous generals and heads of state who gave the orders and made the ultimate decisions, will prove to be a firm favourite with researchers and historians alike.
Guy Gibson’s personal account of the famous “Dambusters” raid, made compelling reading, whilst Airey Neave’s recollection of his daring escape from the fortress prison of Colditz left me sitting on the edge of my seat. Having personally visited the bridge at Arnhem during the 60th anniversary commemorations, I also found John Frost’s memoirs of this historical event most moving. These are just three of the many stories covered in this excellent book, one point to remember however, is that they are all true and told in the words of those who were there!
This in my opinion is certainly a “must buy” volume, as it is of significant historical importance and a valuable source of reference for the future. It is a most interesting read and at only £20.00, represents excellent value for money too.
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FROM BIPLANE TO SPITFIRE
Author: Anne Baker
Publisher: Leo Cooper
UK Price: £19.95
This long overdue biography, traces the remarkable and dedicated career of one of aviation’s true and important pioneers. Having joined the Royal Flying Corps in its formative years, Geoffrey Salmond saw action over the battlefields of the Western Front during the Great War, before going on to play a key role in the development of single wing high-speed and long range flight together with the formation of the Royal Air Force. His record breaking adventures are legendary, as was his involvement in opening air routes over the Empty Quarter, linking Cairo to Karachi and later Australia via the East Indies. With no less than eight Mentioned in Despatches to his credit, he went on to succeed his brother, Sir John Salmond as Chief of the Air Staff. His glory was short lived however, as within weeks of his appointment, he suddenly became seriously ill and then tragically died at the early age of fifty three!
Expertly written by his daughter, who had the unique advantage of access to Sir Geoffrey’s private papers, this superb book contains 16 pages of fascinating black and white photographs and is therefore a must for those interested in early aviation, the Royal Flying Corps, Schneider Trophy and the formation of the Royal Air Force.
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ROGUE WARRIOR OF THE SAS
Author: Martin Dillon with the late Roy Bradford
Publisher: Mainstream Publishing
ISBN: 1 84018 723 9
Published : 2004
UK Price: £9.99
This exciting book written by a clever combination of a professional writer and a former member of British Army Intelligence who served during the Second World War, is guaranteed to provide fascinating reading for the military historian and casual reader alike. Due to the excellent appendix which features details of individuals who actually took part in various raids and operations during the war, anyone researching the history of the SAS especially in its formative years will find it invaluable.
Although this book is sold as a biography of one of Britain’s most decorated soldiers of the Second World War, it covers so much more. To be honest, it is one of just a few books I didn’t want to put down and therefore read it from cover to cover in a short space of time, as practically every page was filled with extraordinary and heroic tales, that if you did not know better could have come from a Boy’s Own style war comic!
With no less than four Distinguished Service Orders to his credit the name of Paddy Mayne is still a legend in Special Forces circles and with the older generation in his native Northern Ireland. He was a pioneer in desert tactics and although David Stirling is known for actually forming the SAS, it was Mayne who certainly made it all work in those early years.
The authors have used a wealth of information including eyewitness accounts and many previously classified documents to produce this first class publication – it is a must for any Second World War enthusiast’s library .
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CAPTAIN STANILAND’S JOURNEY
Author: Martin Middlebrook
Publisher: Leo Cooper
First Published in 2003
UK Price: £12.95
Prompted to investigate the origins of a house name in his home town of Boston (Lincolnshire), Martin Middlebrook (author of the much acclaimed “The First Day On The Somme”) carried out extensive research and has successfully un-earthed the fascinating story of the Staniland brothers (members of a prominent Lincolnshire family), who were tragically killed in action in 1915.
This extraordinary tale told by a master story-teller develops even further and proceeds to encompass the detailed accounts of the Boston Territorial Company, the 4th Lincolnshire Regiment and finally, the North Midland Division (Lincolns and Leicesters, Sherwood Foresters and Staffordshire Brigades) during the Great War. For this reason alone, this excellent book, which is packed full of interesting text, superb photographs and understandable maps, will appeal to anyone from the North Midlands, who has reason to research the history of either the Staniland family or the regiments featured.
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GENEALOGY:
**(CD ROM)**
SOLDIERS DIED IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919 (VERSION 2.0)
ISBN: 1 897632 94 0
Publisher: Naval & Military Press Ltd
www.naval-military-press.co.uk
UK Price: £285.00 (Plus VAT £49.88)
The large number of war memorials still very much in evidence today, in just about every British town, city and even the smallest of villages, re-enforces the cost to our nation in terms of the unbelievable loss of life brought about by the Great War. One has only to scan the large number of names listed on even the smallest of these memorials in the average size town, to appreciate why almost every family in Britain was affected in one form or another during those dark years of conflict.
Today, as the interest in family and local history research has grown beyond all expectation, the demand for more detailed information relating to the Great War service and casualty records of our ancestors has increased too. Until recent years, research of this nature demanded a great deal of time and effort, together with many costly trips (or reams of correspondence) to record offices, libraries and regimental museums around the country and once there, having to spend hours delving through many reference books and copious amounts of archive material (often to no avail).
For this reason alone, the first edition of Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919 in CD form published in 1998 was greeted with much enthusiasm by both professional and amateur historian alike and was of course a great success. Therefore, I am sure this latest edition will prove to be even more popular and in greater demand, as it is much updated, with many new features and any previous errors and omissions rectified.
For those unfamiliar with this most brilliant programme, “Soldiers Died” is a fully searchable digital database that enables the user to search the vast amount of fascinating information covering 665,000 soldiers and 37,000 officers of the British Army who died in the period 1st January 1914 through to the 31st December 1921.Searching the data could not be made easier and can now be accessed by a wide variety of methods including – by regiment, battalion, surname, first name, initials, rank, service number, place of birth, enlistment and residence, date and nature of death and theatre of war. The mine of information returned on the casualty will normally include decorations awarded, together with details of previous regiments they may have served and earlier service numbers if applicable. As a bonus, the researcher can also print off a superb colour facsimile of the personalised memorial scroll that would have been sent to the next of kin at the time of death.
On the surface, this programme may seem expensive, but one should bear in mind the price is low compared to those costly rail tickets, long journeys, and overnight accommodation etc. to the various archive offices I mentioned earlier. I therefore personally have no doubts whatsoever as to the true value of this programme, having used it for many years, there is no way I would wish to be without it now. Family and local history groups, military museums, military historians, militaria collectors together with professional and amateur researchers, should not be without a copy either.
One added bonus for new purchasers of this superb programme is the 12 months interest free credit facility Naval and Military Press now offer. Owners of the first edition are not forgotten either- they can upgrade to version two for the value for money price of £65 plus VAT (£11.38). So what are you waiting for? - Buy it today, I guarantee, it will keep you engrossed for hours!
For more information on this magnificent programme, visit the publisher’s special web site
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