Private Beatson's War

Edited by Shaun Springer and Stuart Humphreys

The diary of Pte James Beatson, a soldier of the First World War who lost his life during the Battle of the Somme, was bought at auction by one of the editors. Springer and Humphreys have written an absorbing account to complement the soldier’s extracts, which puts the diary into context for the reader; giving an insight into Beatson and the British soldier of the time, and the appalling conditions in which they lived.

There is a foreword written by the late Henry Allingham, one of Britain's longest living veterans of the Great War. He wrote it at the age of 112 and it is notably lucid.
Lt Col (Retd) Dawson Pratt, R Signals

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A Conscript in Korea

By Neville Williams

This account of National Service describes the author’s time in uniform after joining The Welch Regiment in 1951. Centred round his experiences of training and the Korean War, Williams (79) has compiled a fascinating account rich in humour, fond memories and graphic details.

Evidently written with the wisdom of life’s experience, the “old soldier” describes the events and places of his career in such intricate detail that the book reads as though it were recounting adventures of last week rather than those of five decades ago.

The stories of comradeship and general life as a conscript come together to make this a valuable addition to the bibliography of a conflict that is rarely written about and often forgotten.
Capt Jim Vincent, RLC

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Escape from the Third Reich

By Sune Persson

This book tells the story of a little-known humanitarian rescue mission undertaken by the Swedish Red Cross and led by Count Bernadotte of Wisborg in early 1945.

The white buses used in the operation were distinctive and had the symbol of the Red Cross on their side to prevent attack. The rescue missions visited numerous concentration camps and transported more than 17,000 prisoners to Sweden.

A niche book, but one that is not without interesting passages.
Cpl Chris MacCallum, Int Corps

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Sniper Ace: From the Eastern Front to Siberia

By Bruno Sutkus

A CURIOUS book inspired by the scharfshutzenheft (sniper's log) of Bruno Sutkus, a Latvian solider conscripted into the Wehrmacht during the Second World War and who excelled as a sniper.

The book explores his killing of 207 Soviet soldiers, which although mildly interesting to begin with, quickly becomes tiresome. Sutkus’ description of the various weapons and fieldcraft used by the Wehrmacht and the Russian forces does little to increase the scope of the book.

Sniper Ace is largely disappointing in that a compelling story has been reduced to a mediocre read.
Cpl Chris MacCallum, Int Corps

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We Will Remember Them

By Max Arthur

A sensitive look at the Great War’s legacy which focuses on the effects of the Armistice, both at home and on the front line, and examines the demobilisation and return to civvy street of soldiers who had lived through the unimaginable.

Testimonies have been expertly stitched together by Arthur to give a fascinating insight into the aftermath of the bloodiest conflict in modern times. These tales reveal everyday optimism, determination and the stoicism used by veterans to overcome the challenges they faced when resuming their lives.

A great read for anyone wishing to develop a holistic understanding of war.
Maj Eddie Elms, AGC

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A Life in the Day of a CRA: The Story of a Cold War Soldier

By Brig Richard Mountford

This autobiographical account of a 37-year military career in the latter half of the 20th century details the author's service from the British Army of the Rhine to Larkhill and as far afield as Turkey, Kenya and Norway.

Relatively well written and filled with interesting anecdotes throughout, Mountford’s account of being responsible for kit procurement at the time of Op Granby is a stand out highlight
Cpl Chris MacCallum, Int Corps