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

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.

Medal Ribbon

On the morning of the 24th April, the Glosters and their attached personnel were concentrated on Gloster Hill and numbered less than 40 effective fighting men.... read more.

H.M.S. Jamaica - Korea - 1950-1957
Medal Ribbon

I and my pal Ron Godsall were both Boy Seamen in the RN cruiser, H.M.S. Jamaica - often known as ... read more.

Radforce - Radfan - 1964-1967
Medal Ribbon

With 'Cap-Badge' secured, the forces composing 'Radforce' now consisted of 39 Brigade under Brigadier Blacker, a force containing 45 Commando, the 1st East Anglians, the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, the 1st Scottish Borderers and the 1st Battalion, the Royal Scots,... read more.

Medal Ribbon

During the buildup to Desert Storm, General Norman Schwarzkopf had little regard for Special Forces, being a veteran of Vietnam, and Grenada, and as a result it seemed unlikely, that US Special Forces and the British SAS would be used.... read more.

A Hill in Korea - Korea - 1950-1957
Medal Ribbon

It is getting a bit tatty now and it sheds its feathers through countless holes, badly patched up, but it is still usable to the distress of many friends in yachts and caravans where it is pressed into use from time to time.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

The rioters had cut the telephone lines so the police could not call in reinforcements, but didn't know about the radio link. The Police Chief contacted the Governor for assistance to quell the riot and we, as duty flight, were ordered to assist. We duly paraded, drew arms and ammunition and mounted our vehicles... read more.

Medal Ribbon

After being told when to eat, the uniform to wear, when to get up, when to parade, and when to go to bed, my time there passed in a blur with not too much sinking in... read more.