169 pp, large 8vo (9 7/16" H), hard cover in dust jacket. Maps. ISBN 0850523206 "Between the years 1948 and 1960, British armed forces were involved in six campaigns overseas, in Malaya, Korea, Cyprus, Suez and South Arabia. In order to provide the manpower for these operations, fixed-term universal male peacetime conscription was instituted for the only time in this country's history. Of the million and a half men called up on reaching the age of eighteen, about a hundred and twenty-five thousand, or one in twelve, served in an active theatre of operations, for which a campaign medal was awarded...This book consists of the reminiscences of twenty-three of these men, who each served in one, or in some cases two, of the six cam p a i g n s . They recall, often with some emotion, their service in far-off places, against largely invisible enemies, in pursuit of aims which remain obscure to this day. They remember the brutality, the hardship, the excitement and the humour o f an e xp er ie nce which for all of them appears to have been an important, if sometimes painful, part of the process of growing up. They also record, in many cases, the indifference, both personal and official, with which they were treated on th ei r r etu rn hom e, and this book represents an attempt, however small and belated, to set straight the record regarding the achievements of these 'virgin soldiers'." Very light browning to top of textblock, small ghost sticker mark on front paste dow n. Dust ja cket ha s very minor edge wrinkling, very light rubbing - mainly on rear panel. VG+/VG+

EDDIE PERCIVAL PETER ROBINSON GEOFFREY SAUNDERS PHILIP SHEPHEARD WALTER