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

A Rude Awaking - Korea - 1950-1957
Medal Ribbon

Hill 282 was supposed to be a surprise for the North Koreans but it was more of a surprise for the Argylls who were ordered to take it. When the hill was taken the Argylls found themselves under fire from another hill and with out fire support.... read more.

The Inchon Invasion - Korea - 1950-1957
Medal Ribbon

The Inchon Invasion was first brought up in the early weeks of July 1950 when the UN position at the Pusan perimeter was desperate and looked unlikely to hold.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

In October 1945, 159 Squadron moved to the airfield at Salbani, west of Calcutta, in India with its Consolidated Liberator Mk VIIIs.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

Nothing could have prepared the British soldier for the death and suffering he was to witness in India during 1946 and 47.... 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

In May 1967, HMS Victorious was coming to the end of the Far East foreign leg of a general service commission. We were looking forward to heading west from the Singapore area to rendezvous with HMS Hermes in the area of Gan.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

I joined the RAF in September 1964 and trained as a Clerk Secretarial in the 301st Entry of Admin Apprentices at RAF Hereford. The scheme had just replaced the Boy Entrant course there, with training reduced from 18 months to 12.... read more.

Introduction - Palestine - 1945-1948
Medal Ribbon

With the assistance of the Arabs the British in 1917-18 took Palestine from the Turks near the end of WW1 The Arabs assisted the British because they were led to understand they would be independent at the end of hostilities.... read more.