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

The Position at Defa - Oman - 1969-1976
Medal Ribbon

The caves at Sherishitti were used by the Adoo to store a vast collection of arms and ammunition. Troops of the Sultan's forces and SAS Firqats launched an attack to capture the caves in January 1975.... read more.

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.

100 Hour War - Gulf War - 1990-1991
Medal Ribbon

After waiting to deploy from Saudi Arabia into Kuwait from the south,orders came to move in a flanking movement away from the line of advance from the south into Kuwait with the U.S. Marines, to a north west approach along the MSR... read more.

HMS Providence - Palestine - 1945-1948
Medal Ribbon

Some years ago I set up a website in order to tell the story of an incident involving my late father, Commander William E Messinger OBE, RN, who commanded a ship on the Royal Navy's Palestine Patrol shortly after the end of the war.... 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

I was stationed in Jerusalem in 1945/6 at the end of over six years in the army - and demob was in sight. I was due for 14 days leave and together with my friend Ron Whitwam we had arranged to go to Cairo for our leave and also pay a visit to Luxor.... read more.

Remembering Frank - Korea - 1950-1957
Medal Ribbon

I stood today in my local Tesco car park and in response to an announcement telling me it was 11 am on Remembrance Sunday I stood still, and, as I normally do, I thought of my friend Frank North.... 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.