Military Heritage

The military heritage of Northumberland is without doubt one of the richest in all the British Isles. By nature of it being England's most northern county, its borders have seen many bloody clashes and battles since the earliest times. Hadrian's Wall stretches along the south of the county and is dotted with forts, garrisons and fortified settlements along its length. The first Viking raid was carried out upon Lindisfarne in 793. There were clashes with the Scots for centuries and from the thirteenth century and for 400 years afterwards there were border raids by reivers. The Battle of Newburn in 1640 was one of the flashpoints that led to the English Civil War, and many a noble Northumberland family was ruined in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.It is hardly surprising that within the boundaries of the county there can be found more castles than anywhere else in Britain and, as a breed of fighting men, the steel of the Northumbrians is like no other. The men of the North were the backbone of the British Army; a number of regiments have recruited here, including the Coldstream Guards, King's Own Scottish Borderers and, of course, our very own Northumberland Fusiliers, 'The Fighting Fifth'. They all served with distinction wherever they fought – from the Peninsular War to South Africa, through two world wars, and beyond.Award-winning military historian Neil R. Storey knows and loves Northumberland and this book will interest anyone keen to know more about its remarkable military history.

The ancient walled city of Chester has an illustrious military history dating back to Roman times when a fort, four times the size of anything else in Britannia, was built here. In this book, local authors Adrian and Dawn L. Bridge chronicle the city's military history across the centuries. Beginning with the impact of the XXth Legion - Legio Vigesima Valeria Victrix - the authors go on to explore the Dark Ages, Viking, Saxon and medieval eras right through to the twentieth century, with both world wars, and beyond. Chapters focus on themes including local, national and foreign conflicts; military personalities, honours and awards; military units; and buildings and memorials. Both lesser and well-known aspects of the city's military heritage are featured to present a balanced perspective. In addition, the authors highlight women, as well as men, on the front line and the home front. Famous Chester military heroes such as Bomber Command's Leonard Cheshire VC and the Korean War's Kenneth Muir VC feature with lesser-known but equally distinguished local people such as John Dolphin (Head of SOE's Section IX during the Second World War). The Cheshire Regiment looms large in any discussion of Chester's military units. Its origins immediately after the 1688 Glorious Revolution are discussed together with the regiment's history up to its modern merger with the Mercian Regiment. Chester's Military Heritage presents a broad and insightful account of this important aspect of the city's history.

The dockyard at Portsmouth was founded by Henry VII, developing into a naval base that was essentially the nation's most important military establishment. Here, in times of war, huge fleets were assembled and the harbour that lay alongside the dockyard witnessed the constant arrival and departure of ships engaged in convoy duties, blockading and attacking enemy ports or intercepting hostile seagoing fleets. In turn, it was a potential target for an enemy, for if the dockyard could be destroyed or captured, then the nation's first line of defence, the Royal Navy, would cease to be effective. Sensitive to such a danger, successive governments built defence structures in and around Portsmouth as well as barracks to house the navy, army and marine personnel. As the firepower of guns increased and the nature of fortifications changed, so did the defences of Portsmouth, with these gradually pushed further and further back so that the forts and gun batteries would always ensure the safety of Portsea Island from either land or sea attack. In the twentieth century the defences were adapted further for the new threat of aerial bombardment or attack by submarine. This book will be of interest to all those who would like to know more about Portsmouth's remarkable military history.

The county of Cornwall in the far south-west of England is surrounded by sea on three sides. Resisting Roman and Anglo-Saxon invaders, it retained its Celtic independence and remained separate from the rest of England into the Middle Ages. Cornwall has a rich military history that stretches back through centuries, and evidence of this military heritage can be seen throughout the county with numerous buildings and other structures still standing today. Cornwall's Military Heritage explores the history of the county – not only the battles that took place on its soil and the measures that were taken to defend it, but also the heritage of the military units that were nurtured there and sent to fight in conflicts abroad. Cornwall was home to two uprisings in 1497, followed by the Prayer Book Rebellion in 1549 and the Spanish raiding of 1595. In the English Civil War, Cornwall was a Royalist stronghold in the predominantly Parliamentarian South West, and Pendennis Castle was besieged alongside the strategic Isles of Scilly, contested by both sides. Author Andrew Powell-Thomas explores the conflicts surrounding an array of historic monuments, including castles, forts, airfields and military bases, noting how the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry and its antecedents fought through two world wars to maintain the survival of this most remarkable county.

- The latest title in Amberley's exciting new Military Heritage series - Potential for reveiw coverage in local press and media as well as specialised military publications - Authors live locally and are available to promote the book

Mention of this Derbyshire market town's name invariably conjures up an image of an iconic landmark: the crooked church steeple. However, it also speaks of a military heritage built up over two millenia. The word chester itself is derived from the ancient Roman fort or castrum – military garrisons that peppered the English countryside during Roman Britain. In 1266, at the Battle of Chesterfield, royal forces quashed a rebellion of local barons. Come the English Civil War 400 years later, anti-Royalist sentiment was again evident. Chesterfield deployed militia, together with a 'company of foot' from Derby, to defend the town from the king's forces. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, global conflicts attracted volunteers from throughout the Borough of Chesterfield. Egypt, South Africa and the Western Front became household names. In the Second World War, Chesterfield's citizens, serving with battalions of the Sherwood Foresters, saw action in theatres across the world. So also came tales of acts of courage and bravery: names like Fred Greaves, Bernard Vann and Victor Robinson, alongside many others.

The county of Staffordshire has an impressive military history and heritage that stretches back well over 1,000 years. In this book the authors explore the military heritage of the historical county of Staffordshire, including the heavily populated urban areas of Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Walsall and West Bromwich and the more rural parts of the county from its Anglo-Saxon and Viking legacy to the present day. As well as Staffordshire's historic fortifications, airbases and other military structures, the authors tell the story of Staffordshire's experiences on the Home Front in the world wars. Its military heritage also encompasses military hospitals, munitions, armaments and aircraft production, as well as the military units and regiments associated with Staffordshire, significant military personalities and awards and the foreign wars its soldiers were involved in through the centuries, as well as the county's memorials to these conflicts. This book will be of interest to all those who would like to know more about Staffordshire's remarkable military history.

Forged through centuries of armed struggle and foreign domination, aggressive invaders, oppressive monarchs, and rebellious citizens have repeatedly clashed to create Berkshire's military heritage. A heritage stained with blood spilt during hard-fought sieges, vicious battles, terrible slaughters, and tragic accidents. The oldest remnants of Berkshire's military heritage date to the Atrebates, an Iron Age people whose impressive hill forts once dominated the county's skyline, and whose remains are visible today. Windsor Castle, a royal residence, embodies almost a thousand years of military action and is still one of the nation's top ceremonial attractions. The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst formed on the site of the former Royal Military College is one of the world's toughest and most revered military training academies in the world. Its graduates include the Sultan of Brunei, Sir Winston Churchill, fascist Sir Oswald Mosley, James Bond author Ian Fleming, sports personalities Fionidi Parker and Heather Stanning, singer James Blunt, Oscar-winning actor David Niven, and Princes William and Harry. Berkshire's military forces include the Royal Berkshire Regiment's 'Biscuit Boys', who have protected the county and nation at home and abroad since 1881; and the women of the Air Transport Auxiliary service, who were formed and operated out of the county during the Second World War. Military historian and battlefield guide, former soldier Dean Hollands writes passionately about Britain's military heritage and this book will interest anyone keen to know more about Berkshire's remarkable military history.

- The latest title in Amberley's exciting 'Military Heritage' series - Potential for review coverage in local press and media as well as specialised military publications - Author lives locally and is available to promote the book

Plymouth's history has been strongly defined by its position on a natural harbour on England's south coast. It was a trading port before the Romans arrived, defended by forts on the shoreline and inland. French raiders attacked the town in the Hundred Years' War and Plymouth Castle was later built to defend the English fleet in Sutton Pool. Drake famously played bowls on Plymouth Hoe awaiting the opportune moment to attack the Spanish Armada and the then town was later under siege during the English Civil War. Naval docks began to be built at Devonport in the seventeenth century, later protected by the Breakwater, and inland a ring of Palmerston forts were constructed. The port was a major embarkation point for British forces in both the First and Second World Wars, including flying boats from Mount Batten, and was heavily targeted by the Luftwaffe with huge destruction of swathes of the city. Although Plymouth is no longer in the front line of war, Devonport is still a major naval dockyard and although many army barracks were demolished post-war, it is still home to the Royal Marines, Royal Artillery and the Royal Navy at HMS Drake and nearby HMS Raleigh. Plymouth's Military Heritage will be of interest to all those who would like to know more about the city's remarkable military history.

Liverpool was founded by King John in 1207 as a military base on the River Mersey. From his new town the king planned to invade Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Isle of Man. Heavily fortified, and defended by a great castle and a formidable tower, Liverpool was besieged and changed hands three times during the English Civil War. Volunteer troops from the town later helped defend the region against the Jacobite Rebellions of 1715 and 1745, and was then the scene of grisly executions of Scots rebels.In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Liverpool developed into one of the most significant ports in the British Empire. Defences were built to fend off attacks during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars. Liverpool also secretly built ships for the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War, the last acts of which were the surrender of an American warship on the Mersey and of its commander in Liverpool Town Hall.The Kings Liverpool Regiment was one of a number of local volunteer forces that were core to the culture and economy, particularly of working-class Liverpool. In the First World War many local young men joined the famous 'Liverpool Pals' regiments and the Territorials. In the Second World War Liverpool played a crucial role in the Battle of the Atlantic, which was directed and won in secret bunkers under the city centre. These still exist and are open to the public - telling the story of how Liverpool defended the North Atlantic convoys that kept the country alive during the war.The most heavily bombed city in Britain outside London, Liverpool was devastated by the end of the conflict, but has now rebuilt itself and reclaimed its role as a world-class city. However, Liverpool still sends its sons and daughters to military and naval service around the world, in defence and on behalf of Great Britain. Join local author Ken Pye as he guides the reader through the military history of this remarkable city.

The making of Dorset's military heritage has been a dramatic, brutal, and often turbulent affair. From the time of the Durotriges tribes and their spectacular Iron Age strongholds, to the more modern sea forts and blast-proof nuclear bunkers of the Cold War, Dorset's landscape has been shaped by generations of defensive countermeasures. Successive and bloody invasions by Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Viking and Norman forces have paved the way for revolution, civil uprising, insurrection and rebellions that history defines as the Peasants' Revolt, the Swing and Monmouth Rebellions, the rise of the Dorset Clubmen, the Anarchy and English Civil Wars. In Tudor times the ships of Elizabeth I's navy dropped anchor in Dorset's waters before engaging the Spanish Armada off Portland. Men of the local volunteers, militias, yeomanry, and Dorsetshire's Regiment of Foot have fought bravely and with distinction at home and abroad, from the Peninsular War to South Africa, and through two world wars. The Royal Flying Corps and its successor the Royal Air Force played vital roles in defending the nation, and during the Second World War their presence proved invaluable in the planning and execution of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of northern France. Military historian, battlefield guide and former soldier Dean Hollands writes passionately about Britain's military heritage and this book will interest anyone keen to know more about Dorset's remarkable military history.

For centuries Farnborough was a small town south-west of London, but today it has transformed into a large, vibrant commercial community, synonymous worldwide with the international air show, which it has hosted since 1949, and the home of military aviation. However, the real origins of Farnborough's military heritage lie not with aviation but with the arrival of the army in 1856 and the building of a new barrack complex in South Farnborough, called North Camp. The army's presence was further expanded with the arrival of the Royal Engineers, at South Farnborough, followed by the formation of the Army Air Battalion, and then the army's Royal Flying Corps. The Royal Flying Corps was eventually replaced by the creation at Farnborough of the Royal Air Force and the Royal Aircraft Establishment was set up. The Royal Engineers also established a camp in North Farnborough and during the war years Farnborough was home to many other units including troops from the Canadian Army. German prisoners of war were engaged in building housing in Farnborough, captured German scientists were brought here and interrogated about their knowledge of aviation and rocket development and captured German planes were flown and frequently crashed at Farnborough. The war years also saw many heroic stories and tragic events unfold as Farnborough was routinely attacked. Farnborough has a fantastic military heritage that includes hospitals, notable burials and a wealth of military buildings and structures as well as a fine and often overlooked collection of military monuments and memorials along with its association with many military personalities. This, then, is the real story of Farnborough's military heritage.

Few counties can rival Essex's extensive and varied military history. The battles fought in Essex, and by its servicemen and women overseas, have not only shaped the history of the county but have directly influenced the course of British and world history. In Essex's Military Heritage, Adam Culling explores 2,000 years of the county's military history, beginning with Boudicca's attack on Roman Colchester then moving on to frontline battles between the Anglo-Saxons and Viking raiders, medieval and Civil War sieges and beyond. Throughout Essex no better connection to its military past is more present than the physical evidence that remains. Norman castles, Tudor and Victorian forts, coastal and inland defences and the RAF and US Army Air Force airfields from the Second World War are a few reminders of Essex's military past. From the largest war memorial in the county in Colchester's Castle Park to commemorative stained-glass windows in village churches, peculiar, intriguing and moving memorials of military sacrifices are ever present throughout Essex. From the Crimean War to the present day, Essex has been the home to many military units. None are more significant than the Essex Regiment who, along with their predecessors, fought bravely in conflicts all around the world. Munitions factories and wartime manufacturing, gallant and distinguished conduct, Zeppelin crash sites, requisitioned stately homes and 'secret' nuclear bunkers, this book provides a fascinating insight into the events, people and places that represent Essex's military heritage.

- The latest title in Amberley's Military Heritage series - Potential for review coverage in local press and media as well as specialised military publications

The Thames Estuary is the gateway into London that had to be defended against seaborne invasion. Through proximity to the Continent, these waters were a likely passageway for those intent upon seaborne raids or invasion, necessitating the need for a powerful naval force to be on hand when threatened. The first fortifications date back to Roman times. To support the British navy in these waters, four of the nation's royal dockyards – Chatham, Deptford, Sheerness and Woolwich – were clustered along the Thames Estuary or close by on the Medway from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries for the commissioning, refitting and repair of warships. As well as being of importance for the defence of the country, the Thames Estuary fulfilled another role: that of underpinning naval activities designed to support British tactical and strategic operations in more distant parts of the world. Close to the mouth of the Thames, and near the point of confluence with the Medway, was the Nore, a key naval anchorage where newly commissioned warship assembled, taking on crews and receiving final instructions before joining the active seagoing fleet. In the twentieth century, additional defences against attack by submarine or from the air were established, and gunpowder factories sited along the estuary. This book will be of interest to all those who would like to know more about the remarkable military history of the Thames Estuary over the last 2,000 years.

The landlocked county of Wiltshire, characterised by its high downland and wide valleys, has a rich military history that stretches back through the centuries. Evidence of Wiltshire's military heritage can be seen throughout the county with numerous buildings and other structures still standing today, from ancient hillforts and medieval castles to military bases used in two world wars and the present day, as well as the army's training area on Salisbury Plain. Wiltshire's Military Heritage explores the long military history of the county, not only the battles that took place on its soil, including between warring Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and Danish invaders and during the English Civil War, but also the measures that were taken to defend it against possible attack. It also covers the heritage of the military units that were raised in the county and which were sent to fight in conflicts abroad. The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry was originally raised in 1794 and fought in the Boer War and both world wars, and is part of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry based in Wiltshire today. Wiltshire's airfields played a significant role in both world wars, including during the Battle of Britain, and in recent years the town of Wootton Bassett became Royal Wootton Bassett because of its role in military funeral repatriations. This book will be of interest to all those who would like to know more about Wiltshire's remarkable military history.

The north Wales seaside resort of Llandudno developed in the 1850s from a scatter of small settlements on the slopes of the Great Orme. The Iron Age defences of Pen Dinas hill fort and the presence of Roman coin hoards suggest local military conflict, and skirmishes are recorded from the time of the Vikings. In later centuries the focus for military activity stretches a mile or so down the Conwy Valley to the castles of Deganwy and battles between Welsh and English. Llandudno became embroiled in the invasion of Edward I when he gave the Bishop of Bangor land on the Great Orme to build a 'palace'. This was sacked in Owain Glyndwr's revolt of the early 1400s. With the rise of Britain's empire copper was mined, partly to provide cladding for the wooden-hulled ships of her navy. By the twentieth century significant military training establishments were based in the area, as were prisoner-of-war camps and convalescent homes for military personnel. In 1915 a German U-boat attempted to pick up escaped POWs in Llandudno Bay, and the town was chosen as the new location for the Royal Artillery's Coast Artillery School and the Inland Revenue. In Llandudno's Military Heritage authors Peter Johnson and Adrian Hughes cover all this and more, showing the impact that the military has had on this north Wales town, its combatants and its citizens over the centuries.

Located immediately to the south of London, between the capital and the English Channel, Surrey has long played a significant part in the defence of the nation. Evidence of ancient hilltop forts, Norman castles, Victorian forts and Second World War defence lines can still be found in the county. Throughout the centuries, the threat of invasion has never been far away. The Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Normans would all leave their mark on Surrey. In the late nineteenth century, with Britain suspicious of French intentions, a ring of fortified positions was established from Guildford through the county towards Kent, known as the London Defence Scheme. During the Second World War, Britain faced a new, frightening menace, that of air warfare. As the Battle of Britain played out in the skies over Surrey, the airfields of the county rose to the occasion against the might of the German Luftwaffe. Two of the Second World War's most iconic aircraft, the Hurricane and Wellington, were manufactured in the county. The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) and the East Surrey Regiment, both formed in 1881, have fought bravely through countless campaigns all over the world. The East Surrey Regiment's 'football charge' on the first day of the Battle of the Somme was celebrated as a symbol of British courage. From Roman times through to the Second World War, this book provides a fascinating insight into the events, people and places that make up Surrey's military heritage.

The county of Devon, with its coastline north and south, wild moorland, and rolling rural countryside, villages, market towns, many characterised by local industries, and historic cities of Exeter and Plymouth, has a rich military history that stretches back through centuries. Evidence of Devon's military heritage can be seen throughout the county with numerous buildings and other structures still standing proud today. Devon's Military Heritage explores the long military history of the county, not only the battles that took place on its soil and the measures that were taken to defend it against possible attack but also the heritage of the military units that were raised in the county and which were sent to fight in conflicts abroad. The 1588 Spanish Armada was first engaged by the English fleet off Plymouth, and the famous Devon mariners Sir Francis Drake, Sir John Hawkins, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Richard Grenville were at the forefront of the defeat of the Armada and other encounters with the Spanish during this period. A hundred years later, in 1688, William of Orange landed at Brixham to launch the Glorious Revolution. Devonport has long been a major port and shipbuilding centre for the Royal Navy and Plymouth was a target for German aerial bombardment in the Second World War. Soldiers from the Devonshire Regiment and the Royal Devon Yeomanry and their antecedents fought for the country for centuries and Devon was also the site of the disastrous rehearsal for D-Day where hundreds of Allied servicemen lost their lives off Slapton Sands and in Lyme Bay. The military heritage of castles, fortifications, airfields, military bases and monuments throughout the county is also explored. This book will be of interest to all those who would like to know more about Devon's remarkable military history.

- The latest title in Amberley's exciting 'Military Heritage' series - Potential for review coverage in local press and medial as well as specialist military publications

Kent has one of the most diverse and rich military histories of any county in England. The nearest point to continental Europe, it has been a natural target for invasion from Roman times and has been heavily defended through the centuries. Evidence exists of Iron Age forts in the county and many of the Roman fortifications such as Richborough survive today. Castles were built by the Norman invaders, most notably at Dover, and as military firepower increased a new generation of artillery-based castles was developed by Henry VIII at Walmer and elsewhere. New defences and fortifications continued to be built until the twentieth century. In the First World War, for the first time aerial defence became important, with observers aiding anti-aircraft gun positions and interceptor aircraft, and the coastal and aerial defences were extended further during the Second World War and into the Cold War. Numerous airfields were established in Kent, the Battle of Britain being largely fought in the skies over the county and the leading ace, James McCudden VC, was born and buried in the county. Naval power has also been important in Kent - Roman and Saxon fleets guarded the coast and in 1155 the Cinque Ports were founded to develop harbours to help protect the country, and later Chatham became a major naval base. Kent regiments have served in battles and wars for hundreds of years and the numerous memorials and cemeteries in the county are testament to the sacrifice of many in military conflict. This book provides a fascinating insight into the people, places and events that are Kent's military heritage.

When the Romans invaded Scotland they constructed a fort in Cramond, a suburb of modern Edinburgh, near their frontier, the Antonine Wall. When the Romans retreated, the area was much fought over by the Angles of Northumbria and the Picts, with Edinburgh held by the Kingdom of Northumbria until the tenth century, before it was passed back to the Scots. The site of Edinburgh Castle is believed to have housed a military fort since the Roman invasion. By the twelfth century a defensive Royal household was developed on the site by King David I, and the importance of Edinburgh grew, leading to the castle becoming the most besieged in the whole of the United Kingdom.The Lang Siege of 1571 would have a devastating effect on Edinburgh. With Scotland in the grip of a civil war, opposing forces fought for control of both the town and its castle for almost two years. Edinburgh Castle was eventually taken, but with both the castle and many of the town's buildings completely destroyed, massive rebuilding work was required. After centuries of peace Edinburgh once again experienced the devastating effects of war when it was bombed during the First World War.Many remnants of Edinburgh's military past can be found today, with the castle being one of the main tourist attractions in the country. The one o'clock gun has been fired from Edinburgh Castle since 1861 and the castle houses the National War Museum, the Scottish National War Memorial, The Royal Scots and The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museums, and remains the headquarters for the Royal Regiment of Scotland, with parts of the castle still operating as a military base. The author discusses all this and more in this illustrated look at Edinburgh's military history.

With its strategically important location on the banks of the River Ribble, Preston is no stranger to wars and warfare. Conquering Roman legions passed this way, Robert the Bruce made devastating raids here, militia troops were recruited for Queen Mary, Cavaliers and Roundheads crossed swords, and the Riot Act was read at Preston, leading to bloodshed and bitterness. The barracks on Fulwood Moor became a place for legendary regiments and battalions to prepare for war. Heroes of the Crimea, the Boer War, international conflicts and both world wars emerged from Preston. Weapons for worldwide warfare have been produced here too – be they tanks or trucks, bombs or jet fighters – and industry has developed accordingly. Ships laden with sailors, troops and precious cargo have docked here, and the city's railway station has bade farewell to many soldiers and sailors en route to war. Local author Keith Johnson shows that Preston's proud military heritage lives on through its historic sites, personalities, monuments and memorials.

Norfolk's military heritage dates back to the earliest times, from Iron Age forts, Iceni strongholds and Boudica's rebellion against Roman occupation to its front-line role with coastal defences and numerous airbases during the Second World War. The Romans left their mark with fortifications, garrisons and shore forts. The county was shaped by Anglo-Saxon and Viking invasions and the Normans, whose castles still stand dominant in the county.Norfolk was the scene of uprisings and rebellions, including the Peasants' Revolt, Kett's Rebellion and Civil War conflicts. The men of the county led and filled the ranks of the local volunteers, militias and yeomanry during the Napoleonic Wars and was famed for its great maritime commander of the day – Admiral Lord Nelson. The county played a vital part in both world wars, not least suffering direct attacks by German battleships, Zeppelin air raids during the First World War and becoming a target during the Baedeker Blitz in 1942. The Royal Norfolk Regiment has a proud history, serving with distinction wherever they fought – from the Peninsular War to South Africa, through two world wars and beyond.Award-winning historian Neil R. Storey is a born-and-bred Norfolk man. He has published on military and social history themes for thirty years and knows and loves his county well. Norfolk's Military Heritage will interest anyone keen to know more about the county's remarkable military history.

Coventry's military heritage goes back to the Middle Ages. Coventry Castle was built by the Earl of Chester in the early twelfth century, fought over during the civil war in King Stephen's reign, and demolished afterwards, although one tower remains as part of the Guildhall. In the later medieval period Coventry grew into one of the leading cities of England and continued to thrive in the Industrial Revolution as a centre of industry. Coventry was held by the Parliamentarians in the Civil War and during the Napoleonic Wars a barracks was built in the city, remaining in use until the early twentieth century. A major munitions producer during the First World War, the city sent many young soldiers to fight abroad in the conflict while thousands of women worked in the factories. During the Second World War it was a leading centre of motor vehicles, aviation and armaments manufacturing and became the target for German aerial bombing campaigns. The Blitz destroyed a large part of the historic city, including the cathedral, but the city was reborn after the war and is a thriving major city in the West Midlands today. This book will be of interest to all those wishing to know more about the military heritage of Coventry.

Chatham has a rich military heritage dating back to the Roman occupation. Remains of a Roman military building on the high ground above the town were discovered in 1779. Following the Battle of Aylesford in AD 455, this same strategic high ground was occupied by one of the victorious Jutish warlike tribes, the Ceatta from which the town takes its name. In Chatham's Military Heritage local military historian Clive Holden focuses on Chatham's most active military period from the founding of the Royal Dockyard in the mid-sixteenth century to the Royal Navy's withdrawal in 1984 and the subsequent run-down of its other military facilities since then. It covers Chatham's activities in both world wars, the Cold War and earlier conflicts with the Dutch and French. As well as the wars, the book details the development of the dockyard, the area's various barracks, buildings, forts and fortifications and the social and environmental effects they had on the locality, together with some of the major military personalities connected with the town.

The picturesque Worcestershire town of Evesham, famous for gardening and its long-lost abbey, has a fascinating military heritage. It was the scene of the Battle of Evesham in 1265 where Simon de Montfort (the father of Parliament) suffered a violent death. During the English Civil War, in 1644, Charles I held court in the town, while in 1645 there was a fierce engagement between a Royalist garrison and Parliamentary forces. Like many other English towns, Evesham served and suffered during two world wars. While few bombs fell on the town during the Second World War, there was significant local activity including a Home Guard, anti-tank defence, a military hospital, barracks, local auxiliary units (maquis) and, later on, POWs. In this book author Stan Brotherton looks at some of the key moments in Evesham's military history, highlighting their impact on the town.

Hampshire's position on the south coast of England has meant that it has played a key role in this country's military history for centuries. Its military heritage is as diverse as any other county in Britain. In this book author Dean Hollands focuses on the significant people, places and events associated with the military history of Hampshire, from the early invaders and occupiers of Iron Age and Roman Britain to the present day. Iron Age hill forts on the chalk uplands of Hampshire can be seen, and the Roman fort at Portchester is the best preserved in northern Europe. These fortifications continued through the Norman Conquest, Henry VIII's castles, Napoleonic era defences and into the two world wars. Southampton and Portsmouth experienced waves of invaders over the centuries, but were also the home of the Navy and the departure point for British military expeditions overseas, not least for D-Day in the Second World War. Aldershot is famous as the home of the British Army and Farnborough's air show has demonstrated its importance as the centre of British military aviation research since the 1940s. Hampshire's Military Heritage looks at the military history of this county on land, by air and at sea. All those wishing to know more about the military legacy of Hampshire will find this book fascinating.

The serene and tranquil countryside of Somerset is an unlikely setting for a rich military history that stretches back thousands of years. Somerset has it all, from Iron Age hill forts to castles constructed in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest of England in the eleventh century; from the site of the last battle fought on English soil between the royal army of James II and the rebel army of James Scott to noteworthy military figures like Sir Robert Blake; and from the memorials and memories of the First World War to the vast range of buildings and structures constructed during the Second World War. This book looks at the role and locations of the many features, buildings and structures that still stand proud today.

The picturesque county of Shropshire, one of the country's least populated areas, has a fascinating military history. It was here that the Battle of Shrewsbury took place in 1403, the first battle in which English archers were pitted against each other on English soil. The battle was celebrated by Shakespeare in Henry IV, Part I. The county was a central part of the Welsh Marches during the medieval period and was often embroiled in the power struggles between powerful Marcher Lords, the Earls of March and successive monarchs. Shropshire is home to many castles, built to defend against the Welsh and enable effective control of the region. From the mid-eighteenth century, Shropshire's military heritage has been linked to two regular regiments of the British Army: the 53rd and the 85th Regiments of Foot. They came together in the late 1880s to form the King's Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI), the county's own regiment. Soldiers of the KSLI, together with the volunteer Shropshire Yeomanry, served with great distinction in the two world wars. In this book author John Shipley peels back the ravages of time as he explores the military heritage of this historic county.

Stirling is associated with two of the most notable names and battles in Scottish history: William Wallace and the Battle of Stirling Bridge, and Robert the Bruce and the Battle of Bannockburn. Stirling's military history, however, stretches back to when the Romans invaded Scotland and formed a line of fortresses as their first boundary just north of Stirling. A Roman road cuts through the town, and it became a road used by every military force to invade Scotland.A castle has existed in Stirling on Castle Hill since at least 1110, with the town growing on the slopes around it. During the Wars of Independence with England control of Stirling and its castle was much fought over, bringing some of the most famous characters from Scottish history to the town. It was said that 'he who controls Stirling, controls Scotland'. After the Union of the Crown in 1603, Stirling Castle's role as a royal residence declined, and instead it became a centre for the military. The Jacobite forces failed to take the castle in 1746, and by the 1800s the castle was adapted to create barracks and training facilities.Today, reminders of the importance of Stirling can be found all around the town. The battle sites and castle are popular tourist attractions, and the castle remains the headquarters of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders infantry regiment. An annual military show to honour and celebrate the armed forces is also held in the town, which is recognised as one of the main military events in Scotland.

The county of Sussex, today divided into East and West Sussex, has a rich military history that stretches back through the centuries. With its coastline facing continental Europe, Sussex has experienced the impact of invasions from Celtic and Roman times, followed by waves of Saxon, Viking and Norman invaders. Defences were built along the shoreline against the threat of later French invasion, particularly during the Napoleonic scare, and the county was again in the front line during the First and Second World Wars, both in the aerial battle and as a possible seaborne invasion route both for the Allies and the Germans. Inland, Sussex's military heritage can also be seen throughout the county, with battle sites from medieval times through to the Civil War and numerous buildings and other structures still standing. Sussex's Military Heritage explores the military heritage of the county, from Iron Age camps and Roman fortifications to medieval castles, Martello towers, Second World War airfields and Cold War defences, but also the proud history of the military units that were raised in the county and sent to fight in conflicts abroad. This book will be of interest to all those who would like to know more about Sussex's remarkable military heritage.

Aldershot is proud to be 'The Home of the British Army', and its history is inextricably linked with that of the military. The town has been shaped by the presence of the Army since it was selected as the site of Britain's first permanent training camp, and probably every regiment has been stationed in Aldershot at some time in its history. The camp was founded during the Crimean War, and soldiers from Aldershot have fought in all major conflicts since then, including the Zulu War, wars in Egypt, the Sudan and South Africa, the two world wars, and more recent conflicts including the Falklands War, Iraq and Afghanistan. This book is a celebration of Aldershot's rich and continuing military heritage. In following the development of the camp, it reveals the immense contribution Aldershot has made to the British Army from the 1850s to the present, including some of the colourful personalities who have left their mark on it, together with the many fine buildings and memorials which remind us of our military predecessors to whom we owe so much.