About five years ago, I started to become aware of a very special generation of British Army soldiers. Those who joined up in the late 1980's and then served a full 22 year career, did so during an unprecedented time in history. After the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, most of those in the military (author included) wondered, "What's next?" As the perceived threat from Communist Russia seemed to fade away and politicians talked of a 'peace dividend', young men and women just out of school, joined up completely unaware of the uncertain future that awaited them.
In 2012, I wrote a short blog, The Greatest Generation? as I started to become aware of what men that I had known when I was a soldier, had just been through. For the next four years or so, as I wrote The Flag, the idea of writing about soldiers who had served during these turbulent and violent times, started to formulate. Now that I am looking for a new project I can give the idea more attention and see whether I am able to write the kind of book that would do justice to these men and women. But before I can begin to even think about writing I need to collate information from anyone that is willing to talk. To start with, I am asking anyone who wants to be involved in this project to fill in a MILITARY SERVICE QUESTIONNAIRE. This will allow me to quickly see if I have enough information to go forward, and it will enable me to contact individual participants directly. Please help spread the word. All information will be treated as strictly confidential; nothing will be used without permission. The only thing I absolutely require you to fill in is your email address (so I can contact you) and your rank and service number (this is to keep the Walts at bay). I think this story will make a great book; one that I hope will honor this generation of soldiers the way they should be remembered.
23 Comments
Simon preston
12/11/2017 02:14:22 pm
Please ask away buddy
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Phill VEG Venables
12/11/2017 04:02:12 pm
Spent 23.5 years from 1986/2009 . Seeing most things from a mere child's eye. Expected to know how to behave like a man. . As your regiments arch rival. Whilst they were two. Germany Knightsbridge etc. Seen the eighties. Nineties from a different view from most in the BA.
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Steven vaughan
12/11/2017 05:36:04 pm
Happy to help
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Doug kershaw
12/11/2017 05:44:00 pm
1978 - 2012
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ConradPrice
12/11/2017 06:16:42 pm
1984-2008..... fire away pal. I will help where I can.
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David Rennie
12/11/2017 10:09:13 pm
73-93 British Army
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Don Mckenzie
12/12/2017 05:12:12 am
I served from 1971 until 1993 if I can help Andy you only have to ask.
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Andy Richards
12/12/2017 08:34:51 am
Thanks everyone
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Martin Till
12/12/2017 09:25:21 am
1982 - 1990 then a short tour Bosnia 2001
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Jules Forsdick
12/13/2017 02:08:40 am
1989-2012
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Darren Lewis
12/13/2017 03:18:15 pm
1985-2011
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owen cornock
12/14/2017 04:34:21 am
i fall into your time frame 1987-2011 i am sure there is still some useless information kicking around those grey cells. cant keep a good story being told.
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Larry Holmes
1/5/2018 06:46:07 pm
1985 to 2007 Pumper if I can help please drop my a line matey
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Chris Lyon
1/18/2018 11:57:57 am
Happy to help. Served (RAF) from January 1961 to March 1999. Including 6 tours in RAFG during the Cold War period.
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1/18/2018 12:01:03 pm
Hi Andy I served May 1972 to September 1992 when I took voluntary redundancy, if you need more info just ask pal.
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Mark Mckendry
1/18/2018 04:38:12 pm
1989-2014 (Regular)
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Robert John Barnett
1/19/2018 08:43:20 am
Service No. 24392411
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Ken Brooks
1/19/2018 12:04:22 pm
Hello mate
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Saved
1/19/2018 04:34:53 pm
Royal Air Force 1984 - 1997 2 tours of Germany
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D Cooper
3/18/2018 01:40:27 pm
British Army ‘88 - 97, ‘00 - 14. 10 tours, happy to help.
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Bob Salmon
4/28/2018 06:17:58 pm
1988-2017 mixture of ceremonial .operational, teaching at Bovington and being attached to the reserves. Happy to help
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Mark bright
4/29/2018 02:25:22 pm
1980 - still serving AAC formerly LG.
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