Product Description

This is the story of the Troubles in Northern Ireland told from the perspective of the British soldiers who served there between 1969 and 1998. This was a war against terrorists who knew no mercy or compassion; a war involving sectarian hatred and violent death. Over 1,000 British lives were lost in a place just 30 minutes flying time away from the mainland. The British Army was sent into Northern Ireland on August 14, 1969 by the Wilson government as law and order had broken down and the population (mainly Catholics) and property were at grave risk. Between then and 1998 some 300,000 British troops served in Northern Ireland. This is their story - in their own words - from first to last. There are stories from some of the most seminal moments in the period of the Troubles in Northern Ireland - detailed accounts of firefights at Crossmaglen from the commanders on the ground at the time; an incredible story from a British Army sniper in Londonderry, 1973; an account from the first squaddie on the scene at Penny Lane after the 1988 funeral killings of the two corporals; the 1988 Ballygawley coach blast which killed 8 Light Infantrymen, with a first-hand account by one of the survivors; the case of the missing Christmas Club money in the Ardoyne; Gerry Adams' 'birthday treat' at a vehicle checkpoint, accounts by plain-clothes intelligence officers on the streets of Belfast … and many more. The brave men and women of the Ulster Defence Regiment, many of whom were murdered in their homes or at their places of work, occupy a prominent place in the book. The author has also conducted a great deal of original research to produce a roll of honour for all service personnel killed in Northern Ireland. A major contribution to research, the list differs to its 'official' MoD counterpart to a surprising degree. It includes more than 20 names before the first official casualty, Gunner Robert Curtis (1971) and more than 10 after the last official casualty, L/Bombardier Stephen Restorick (1997). Receiving a remarkable amount of cooperation from Northern Ireland veterans eager to tell their story, the author has compiled a vivid and unforgettable record. Their experiences - sad and poignant, fearful and violent, courageous in the face of adversity, even downright hilarious - make for compelling reading. Their voices need to be heard.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13562 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 544 pages

Review
A testament to the experiences of the British Army during those troubled years. A splendid book... --Britain At War Magazine. 09/2008

Customer Reviews

a long awaited book
A well researched and informative book. Having served in NI the personal reflections upon events and locations by the contributors brought back many memories of my own involvement in 'the troubles' which I have not thought about for many years. The book is also a testimony to the sacrifices suffered by the casualities of the troubles, the servicemen, servicewomen, their families and of course the people of Northern Ireland, which have long been forgotten by the media and the country. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what it was like to be involved in a terrosist war, similar to Iraq, in our back yard.

Dave Wilson
A very well written book that brings back long forgotten memories of what was a bitter struggle.

No ordinary men and women
It has become fashionable to ignore the debt owed to those who served in Northern Ireland, be they Regular Army, police, or the locally recruited men and women of the Ulster Defence Regiment. It is sometimes necessary to point out that what is owed to those who died, to their relatives, and to the injured,can never be fully repaid.
Ken Wharton has helped remind us of that debt.

Those who think a "cause" is worthy of the death of others should read "A Long Long War"