A Long Long War: Voices from the British Army in Northern Ireland 1969-98

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

"A testament to the experiences of the British Army during those troubled years. A splendid book..." - Britain At War Magazine, 09/2008 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; a war involving sectarian hatred and violent death. The British Army was sent into Northern Ireland on August 14, 1969. This is their story in their own words. 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 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; Gerry Adams' 'birthday treat' at a vehicle checkpoint, and many more. The brave men and women of the Ulster Defence Regiment occupy a prominent place in the book. Wharton has compiled a vivid and unforgettable record of Northern Ireland veterans eager to tell their story. Their experiences - sad and poignant, fearful and violent, courageous, even downright hilarious - make for compelling reading. Their voices need to be heard. About the Author Ken Wharton is a former soldier and now author of three oral histories on the Northern Ireland troubles. He is planning a further oral history of the troubles.

Reviews

A testament to the experiences of the British Army during those troubled years. A splendid book... * Britain at War Magazine *
... a vivid and unforgettable record. * Best of British Magazine DON'T USE *

Author Bio

Ken Wharton is 59 and is resident now in Australia with his partner Helen. Father of seven and grandfather to three with a fourth pending, he is a skydiver and former football referee. He is also a former soldier and now author of three oral histories on the Northern Ireland troubles. He writes from the perspective of the British soldier as he seeks to put across their story of a conflict, largely forgotten by both Government and public, which claimed the lives of around 1300 military lives. / He has only been writing since 2007 but is planning a further oral history of the troubles, a book on the Australians in Vietnam and a childrens' science fiction book over the next year or two. / There is a clamour from veterans of the Northern Ireland conflict to tell their story and ensure that the truth comes out and in Ken Wharton they have found a conduit for those stories and a man they can trust to ensure that the truth is finally told about the conflict which raged not only a short 30 minute flight from home but also on our own doorsteps.