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

September 18th, 1952, a date forever engraved in my memory. I arrived at the training depot of the Essex Regiment at Warley Barracks, Brentwood, in the early afternoon joining a group of about 75 other lads, most looking as apprehensive as I was.... 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.

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.

The Hook - Korea - 1950-1957
Medal Ribbon

The 'Hook' is a crescent shaped ridge which was selected as a feature of tactical importance in the Commonwealth divisional sector of the united Nations line south of the 38th Parallel.... read more.

Independence - India - 1945-1948
Medal Ribbon

When Mountbatten left England for India he had received instructions to work towards a unitary government based on the Cabinet Mission's plan, but to prepare for alternative steps, if by October 1st, there was no prospect of such a Government.... read more.

Acre Jail Break - Palestine - 1945-1948
Medal Ribbon

On April the 16th Dov Gruner and the three men captured by the 6th Airborne Division were hanged in Acre Prison to become the first 'martyrs' of the Irgun, who in a broadcast declared the British Army and Administration to be 'criminal organizations'.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

On August 25th 2000, a patrol of 11 men from the 1st Royal Irish Regiment was captured by the notorious 'West Side Boys' while on patrol in Sierra Leone.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

In January 1948, No.40 Commando landed to protect the docks at Haifa, assuming their duties on 3rd February.... read more.