With tribute to:

Martin Spirit

James Paul

Co-written by:

David Carter

Britain's Small Wars

The preservation of British Military History

Launched, Sunday 11th November 2018. Dedicated and paying tribute to veterans who have served in small conflicts since World War Two. This is an unofficial website with no ties to the Ministry of Defence. We would also like to pay a special tribute to Martin Spirit. For more information please read the About BSW page.

Latest updates

Last updated: Feb 10, 2019

The Aden Withdrawal November 1967 - Aden - 1964-1967

In 1966 whilst onboard H.M. Submarine Auriga, I spent a most enjoyable stay in Aden stopping there enroute for a long commission based on Singapore. From my diary of that time, I note that we arrived at 1340 on Sunday the 20th February when the weather was 85f... read more.

Last updated: Feb 10, 2019

The Ever Readies Aden 1965 - Aden - 1964-1967

I became involved in the British Army's operations in Aden as a member of the Territorial Army; I was not a regular soldier. I had originally joined the services as a boy seaman in the Royal Navy, aged 15, in 1951.... read more.

Last updated: Feb 10, 2019

Tales from Aden 1955 to 1957 - Aden - 1964-1967

I remember when we were in Aden in 66 Rifle Squadron and we used to go up country when the natives got restless. One time we were going up with a convoy of supplies and we came under fire.... read more.

Last updated: Feb 10, 2019

RASC in Aden and the Radfan - Aden - 1964-1967

I was posted to Aden from Aldershot in Feb 1964 after basic training as a driver in the RASC, at Yeovil, & Aldershot. I was so excited to be going to a place like Aden and not Germany... read more.

Some of the Featured

Medal Ribbon

This collection of East African Military Postal history covers the post World War II period of the area up until the three countries gained their independence.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

In this capacity, I was placed on a one-week assignment, starting July 25, 1954, with the 28th Brigade of the 1st Commonwealth Division, assisting them in war games. If I recall correctly, the units involved were the 1st and 3rd Australian Rifles... read more.

Medal Ribbon

The British forces in Kenya employed the tried and tested tactics which had worked so well in the counter-insurgency operations in Malaya... read more.

The Last to Leave - India - 1945-1948
Medal Ribbon

On the 26 of February 1948 the 2nd Battalion Black Watch paraded in Karachi before embarking on the troopship Empire Halladle.... read more.

Introduction - Radfan - 1964-1967
Medal Ribbon

The British involvement in Radfan began during the Aden Crisis, with rebels using the Dhala road to bringdown supplies for the terrorists in Aden. The British Army took the decision to deploy a garrison into the Radfan to limit the rebels supplies and thus the Radfan tribesmen's ability to blackmail the traders.... read more.

The Marines in Korea - Korea - 1950-1957
Medal Ribbon

The Royal marines began their work in Korea, when, at the Request of the UN Naval Force Command, the Admiralty had called for volunteers, and Lt E.G.D.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

When the emergency in the Radfan was declared in February 1964, a makeshift Aden Brigade was formed and included in this were a squadron of ground-support Hunters, Shackleton bombers, twin Pioneer transports as well as ten Belvedere helicopters.... read more.

Major K. Muir's VC - Korea - 1950-1957
Medal Ribbon

At approximately 09:00hrs small parties of the enemy started to infiltrate on the left flank, necessitating the reinforcing of the forward platoon... read more.