Before, During and after my Falklands War

I begin my memoir with details of my heritage from when my paternal family travelled to England from India in the 1950’s. I discuss the idiosyncrasies, some humorous, some strange, of both strains of my relations. I continue my narrative with stories of growing up and going to Catholic schools in Ipswich and then following in my older brother’s footsteps by joining the Royal Marines at the age of sixteen and going through Commando training. My account of the Falklands War is from the observations of a young man, not highly educated, at a low rank, on the front line. Part of this book is an account of not just the tangible facts of war but the emotions that accompany them. Many books on the Falklands War are given from a perspective of the military hierarchy, either written by past or present officers or professional reporters; my writing is from someone low on the pecking order, making this submission rare. Also unique is the fact that little coverage has been given to the exploits of 40 Commando Royal Marines in the South Atlantic. Any discourse about the role of this unit is as a reserve or taking the surrender on the West Island. My Troop in 40 Commando became detached from its home in 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and took to the southern offensive route to Port Stanley. Under the umbrella of the 1st Welsh Guards, no or little recognition has been given to A and C companies of 40 Commando Royal Marines. Indeed, it was always these two companies that were put at the spearhead of any action in 1982. There is a comprehensive description of the last firefight in the Falklands War initiated by a helicopter assault taking place Sappers Hill just out side Port Stanley. I continue my work with coverage of my deployments to South Armagh (Bandit Country), Cyprus, Belize and, after eight years of service, the start of my new life as a civilian and re-education back into the academic world as a Lecturer in Sports Science. To try and relate to the reader in my discourse I have include popular music titles at the time to help recall, reflect and/or give a point of reference to discover. I did not set out to make this book funny but some things or scenarios you might find amusing, some unbelievable and some sad or thought provoking.

This book is the first Amazon published book which I have ever reviewed and what a belter is is !

Written in a conversational style as if he was sitting next to you in a pub or at a veterans' breakfast club, from egg banjos to romping it's all here . The warry part is not all Ramboesque but cold wet and miserable, miserable because he carted a 66 all the way to Sappers Hill yet someone else took it from him and got to fire it. How they spent a night in a minefield I shan't spoil the plot here, but it WAS a live minefield in which two marines were injured.

Then over to Norn Iron, Cyprus and Belize before demob.
I give him kudos for getting this printed by Amazon and hope that he makes a lot of sales, the only downside was the poor printing of his photographs by his publishers. A great read and one to keep for reading again 4.5 mushroom heads.

Amazon product