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

Operation Granby, FDC, HQ Bty, 2nd Field Regt. Royal Artillery. I was a "flaggy" on the Regimental Command Post, Regimental Command net in one ear, Div Arty net and Tech net in the other. Although commands were given by those on high, the memories of 24 x M109's responding to my voice will never eradicate.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

The Die-Hards commander, Colonel Andrew Man, was informed of the move of the Middlesex Regiment on Sunday 20th August 1950.... read more.

Introduction - Palestine - 1945-1948
Medal Ribbon

With the assistance of the Arabs the British in 1917-18 took Palestine from the Turks near the end of WW1 The Arabs assisted the British because they were led to understand they would be independent at the end of hostilities.... read more.

Last to leave - Palestine - 1945-1948
Medal Ribbon

At about 0400 hrs, on the 30th of June 1948, Z Day, the first of the rearguard units began to withdraw from Haifa dockyard, 2 company, 1st Coldstream Guards, through the No 10 gate, 2 company, Grenadier Guards, from No 1 gate... read more.

The Dhofar - Oman - 1969-1976
Medal Ribbon

By July 1970, the province of Dhofar in western Oman was almost entirely in the hands of Communist-backed rebels belonging to the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian Gulf (PFLOAG).... read more.

RAF Flying in Oman - Oman - 1969-1976
Medal Ribbon

he main RAF base in Oman was Salalah, a heavily defended, packed sand air strip from which Skymasters and Skyvans operated under the guardianship of RAF Regiment gunners in defensive positions called hedgehogs.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

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.

Medal Ribbon

I joined the RAF in September 1964 and trained as a Clerk Secretarial in the 301st Entry of Admin Apprentices at RAF Hereford. The scheme had just replaced the Boy Entrant course there, with training reduced from 18 months to 12.... read more.