Description
When the Territorial Force was created in 1908 The Norfolk Regiment was allocated two infantry battalions of Territorial soldiers and was granted the privilege of raising one of the eleven TF Cyclist Battalions. The Territorial Force was a volunteer part-time army raised specifically to defend Britain.
When war broke out in August 1914 Territorials were not obliged to serve overseas but when the call came they answered it and fought in Gallipoli and Palestine in battles that have not only gone down in history but have entered into legend.
In the Second World War the Norfolk Territorials answered the call again. After weathering one of the coldest winters standing ready to repel Hitler’s threatened invasion they were plummeted into fighting in the sweltering heat of Johore and Singapore. Ultimately their greatest fight was to survive captivity in the hands of the Japanese.
This book traces the history of the Norfolk Territorial Battalions in two World Wars. It captures the sense of pride of the men who served and includes many first-hand accounts of bravery and sacrifice and is profusely illustrated with many previously unpublished photographs. Lists of Honours and Awards are also included with complete lists of casualties from both wars previously unavailable in this form providing an indispensable reference work for both military and family historians.
Neil Storey is a born and bred Norfolk man. A graduate of the University of East Anglia and one of the foremost historians of the county specialising in social and military history themes, he has published over 25 books and countless articles for magazines and journals. Undoubtedly a man blessed with a ready wit and ebullient character he is a familiar voice on BBC local radio; he has also acted as a consultant and featured on a number of television documentaries and dramas.
Members of the author’s family served in The Norfolk Regiment and The Royal Norfolk Regiment Territorial Battalions during two World Wars.
The study of the Norfolk Territorial battalions has become one of his lifelong interests.This book reflects over 25 years of his research.
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