For P&P Charges to other countries please feel free to drop us a message and we will do our best to get a quote. ‘Ena’ Elwell has produced a highly readable, entertaining and quite unusual account of his service in the British Army in peacetime - from his enlistment as a Boy Soldier in 1970, his 22 years with the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, rising through the ranks to Warrant Officer Class 2, to his discharge from the Territorial Army in 2001, covering postings to such places as Northern Ireland, Germany, Gibraltar, Namibia and Latvia, as well as exercises in Norway, Canada, Cyprus and Belgium. He covers the routine of Battalion life, the training, both as a recruit and, later, as an instructor, and his career courses, punctuated with the many operational tours of Northern Ireland undertaken under Op BANNER in the ‘70s and ‘80s. He also describes some interesting postings to Strensall and Namibia, where the professionalism and resourcefulness of the British Army is highlighted. Sport, in particular Rugby, has been an important element in his career and many hard fought matches and considerable successes on the field are portrayed, not forgetting the post-match socials. The stresses, strains and joys of family life in a service environment are sensitively covered, the pressure of constantly cleaning and packing up home, moving and taking over another quarter, outweighed by the variety of locations and fantastic opportunities for the whole family to experience a different way of life, now sadly all but lost to the current generation of soldiers’ families. The book is well illustrated with some inspiring images, featuring family, colleagues, postings and interests. However, this edition, although well written and an easy read, is marred by the proof reader not having a forces background and many incorrect military phrases and abbreviations will jar with many readers. There are many humorous anecdotes, which confirm the fact that he was a well-liked and respected Battalion ‘character’, as much due to his love of fun as his undoubted professionalism, both as a soldier and a sportsman. His love of life, his Regiment and his comrades shines through these pages. Copies, at £10.00 plus £2.50 for 1st class UK p&p, payable by cheque or bank transfer, are available from Mr. P Elwell, Endcliffe Hall, Endcliffe Vale Road, Sheffield, S10 3EU. [email protected], 01904 668233 or Mobile 07787 703070.
