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Overview
"... a fine tribute to a great regiment and I can commend it to prospective readers, specially military historians. I doubt whether there has ever been such a through and detailed record of any Territorial Regiment." From the Foreword by Colonel V.J. Senior, MC Inspired by the research that he carried out into the death of his grandfather whilst serving in the 50RTR, and the conversations with the old soldiers who had served with him, the author set about collecting the memories of those veterans. This book, the result of his research, takes the form of personal accounts, details from the regimental war diary and descriptions of the many battles in which they partook. 50RTR was formed in Bristol in April 1939 and disbanded only seven years later. In that short period, the regiment gained itself a reputation and a record that has not been equalled: 50RTR were in contact with enemy for 95% of their overseas service, for instance. They saw action in the Western Desert and North Africa, including El Alamein, Mareth and Sfax, and then Sicily, Italy and Athens. A moving introduction is provided by Brigadier HBC Watkins, MBE, himself an officer in the RTR for 34 years. He describes the book as 'most remarkable' and the battle descriptions as being 'excellent and must be of the greatest interest of students of the Second World War and will delight the survivors of the Regiment'. The book includes a Roll of Honour and List of Awards, and is naturally dedicated to all the Officers, NCOs and Troops who served in the 50th Royal Tank Regiment.