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Although the part played by civilian volunteers - the Pals' battalions; the Civil Service Rifles and the like - in the Great War is well known, the role of similar volunteers in the Boer War is much less familiar. This book, therefore, a compilation of letters home from his comrades, should fill a considerable gap. Its author, R. E. Kemp, describes the motives which impelled him and his comrades of the 24th Middlesex (P.O.) Rifle Volunteers to risk life and limb in the service of their country on the South African veldt: "I have very little literary merit, but a large lump of love. Love for the boys out yonder - love begotten of a very high esteem, an unlimited admiration for the lads who have laid aside their civvy's life and right royally gone forth for Queen and country - taking risks they might have avoided, enduring trials they could easily have escaped - willingly, gallantly, loyally and lovingly lending their labours and lives for a nation's duty'. A touching and moving volume.

The Seventh Somersets were a typical British line battalion of a typical county infantry regiment in the Second World War. What that meant in practice is described by the military historian and soldier Brigadier H. Essame, who saw the Somersets in hot action as they fought their way from the Normandy beaches to the banks of the river Elbe in a defeated and shattered Germany. 'No finer soldiers than the 7th Somerset Light Infantry ever left England and fought their way acorss the continent to final victory. They won their battles because at every level they were better men than the finest troops of the German Army, because they had greater courage and greater skill. There was no danger that they would not face, no hardship which they would not endure, no risk they would not take. May those who come after them be worthy of their sacrifice'.Landing in France in late June 1944, the 7th Somersets fought their way out of Normandy and through Belgium and Holland that summer. During the winter war of 1944/45 they helped turn the Siegfried Line and pushed across the north German plain from the Rhine to the Elbe. This is the story of the last, bitter months of the war in Europe seen from the ground up, with a Roll of Honour plus decorations and awards.

This volume deals with two types of RE schools established in the BEF, they were: School of Instruction - For OCs and 2ICs of Field Units, first started in the winter 1916-17; and Training School - For all ranks of the Royal Engineers, later opened to officers and NCOs of Pioneer battalions, formed early in 1917. There were two 'Schools of Instruction', one at Le Parcq, the other at Blendecques. The staffs consisted of a Commandant (Lt Col), two instructors (Majors) and a QM. Classes were 40 strong and the course were at first of ten days duration, later extended to three weeks. The 'Training School' was at Rouen, RE Base Depot and ran different types of courses and an appendix gives the daily syllabus for the Construction course for regular RE officers (36 days). One of the plates has a detailed drawing of the school showing all the facilities.The text describes all the subjects taught and explains the photos and the plates.

The idea of forming a Camouflage Section in the BEF was first suggested at GHQ in the winter of 1915, following the success of the work of the French Camouflage Section in Amiens, whose workshop was visited by British officers. The chief means of camouflage was the painted screen, and as a result of a visit to France by a professional artist and his advice, volunteers were called for from the troops in France with experience of theatrical work, such as scenic artists, stage carpenters, workers in cardboard etc. These assembled at St Omer under an officer in January 1916 pending the fitting up of a building in Wimereux. Thus was born the camouflage service. This account goes on to give details of the first establishments and subsequent increases in establishment. The Camouflage Service was represented at GHQ, Army and Corps HQs and depots were set up corps areas and camouflage factories were formed in Army areas. By the time the war ended camouflage was 'big' in France and Flanders as this account reveals. American and French work in this field is also featured as well as German methods. At the end are tables of statistics showing quantities of stores and materials used.

Restricted publication, written with access to official documents. Largely British-supported guerilla operations during WW2, "It then goes on to consider the lessons learnt & how these can be applied to the future ..." Remains the only comprehensive official survey of British involvement in irregular operations in WW2. Offer expires 31March 2008