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 Land War - Korea - 1950-1957
Medal Ribbon

At 4am on 25th June 1950, without prior ultimatum or declaration of war, North Korea invaded the Republic of South Korea, launching a well co-ordinated, full-scale attack both on the ground and in the air.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

At 2 am on August 2nd, 1990 Iraq invaded Kuwait. It was no contest, the Kuwaitis were outnumbered 50 to 1. As the Emir's Royal Guard made a desperate stand... read more.

Wavell and Congress - India - 1945-1948
Medal Ribbon

After the war, the new Labour Government in Britain declared its aim to be the early resolution of self-government for India.... read more.

The RAF in Kenya - Kenya - 1952-1960
Medal Ribbon

RAF Handley Page Hastings transported in ground troops, ran leaflet raids, communications and CASEVAC flights. No.1340 flight formed in 3/1953 with Harvards.... read more.

Argyll Law - Aden - 1964-1967
Medal Ribbon

I come from Glasgow and at that time there was a lot of gang trouble in the city so I joined the 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders for a bit of peace! I joined the Battalion in Crater in August and was put straight in at the deep end with 16 Platoon Support Company at the position overlooking the police station.... read more.

The Battle of Mirbat - Oman - 1969-1976
Medal Ribbon

After the success of Operation Jaguar, the Adoo leaders decided that they would have to make a decisive strike against the Sultans forces to regain the upper hand. ... read more.

Urban Terrorism - Aden - 1964-1967
Medal Ribbon

The violence in Aden started on the morning December the 10th 1963. The British High commissioner of Aden , Sir Kennedy Trevaskis arrived at Khormakar airport to catch a London bound aircraft.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

Monks Field was a tented outpost on a flat plain near Wadi Taym on the Yemeni / Aden Protectorate border. Wadi Taym provided one of the main mountain passes through from Yemen into Aden. The plain was almost completely surrounded by mountains, most of them over 1000 ft.... read more.