Book Review The SAS and LRDG Roll of Honour 1941-47

Discussion in 'Books, Films, TV, Radio' started by Tricky Dicky, Jul 23, 2016.

  1. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Nosing around the internet I came across this site - link - http://www.sas-lrdg-roh.com/

    It is a new book/series of books that seems to do what it says on the tin, provide a roll of honour for the SAS and LRDG from 1941 - 1947, the site says -

    A seminal project that brings together the moving stories of every Special Air Service and Long Range Desert Group casualty of the Second World War. Meticulously and passionately researched over 13 years, this exhaustive work is a unique combination of operational reports, personal service records and medal citations, all given colour and depth through correspondence with next of kin and the recollections of those that were there. Lavishly illustrated, with many photographs published for the first time, it celebrates the extraordinary and largely unreported bravery of 374 casualties now commemorated in seventeen countries.




    100% of profits from the first run donated to the erection of memorials and service charities



    This box set of nearly 800 pages will be of huge interest to anyone who appreciates the history of WW2 Special Forces. The 374 individual entries give a fascinating insight into the courage and fortitude of both professional and wartime soldiers who performed special deeds for the sake of others. Their engaging stories intertwine to accurately plot the evolution of the SAS, SBS (1st SAS), LRDG and of F Squadron, GHQ Liaison Regiment (Phantom). They also throw new and objective light on operations that have previously, in the main, only been described in Boys' Own terms. This Roll of Honour forms a fitting tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during such operations.

    The box set is collated into three geographically arranged volumes and a separate User Guide so that it can be easily used 'in-the-field'. It will become the standard reference and benchmark within its sphere. In short, a 'must have' for those keen to commemorate the sacrifice each individual made, those who wish to support the charities to which the proceeds will be donated, and to historians, researchers, medal collectors and enthusiasts who seek a definitive and measured history of the wartime SAS and LRDG.



    I dont know if any are interested but at least you now know its there

    TD
     
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  2. TomPC

    TomPC New Member

    Mine arrived this morning. It's superb.

    Three volumes, one for each theatre (1. N. Africa, Middle East, NZ; 2. Central and Eastern Med; 3. NW Europe). So much stuff in here I didn't know already. Literally every single SAS/LRDG causalty of WW2 in here. Amazing.

    Anyway - I can't hang around here all day chatting, I've got some serious reading to do.
     
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  3. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Can I be cheeky and ask for a couple of look-ups.

    Fusilier CARMICHAEL, J.A. 6980528, SBS - M Squadron (PATFORCE). Killed 11/10/1944. Buried in Megara Civil Cemetery until 12/02/1945 then Phaleron War Cemetery

    Lieutenant BURY, R.C.L. 287459 SBS - M Detachment. Believed killed 30/09/1944 while recceing near Spetsai, when the caique he was sailing in was shot at by right wing partisans mistaking them for ELAS. Buried Spetsai Sht G13 (J8367) until 20/01/1945 then Phaleron War Cemetery.

    Any more info on these two heroes would be really appreciated.

    Gus
     
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2020
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  4. Skip

    Skip Senior Member

    Gus - with all due respect don't you think that's being a little too cheeky when 100% of the profits are going towards Combat Stress?

    The author has obviously spent a lot of time putting this together, not for it to be disseminated like that ...
     
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  5. hucks216

    hucks216 Member

    I don't really read much relating to the SAS or LRDG in WW2 but this looks like a must have work. Just ordered and I look forward to my copy arriving.
     
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  6. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

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  7. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Got my copy have to say an impressive body of work, and having looked back at the number of SAS posts I have made over the years plenty to follow up on..... already have a Arnhem related casualty found. And you guys are slipping in the credits at the back of the User Guide, WW2Talk members are thanked for "Willingness to impart hard-earned knowledge." kudos indeed!
     
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  8. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Thanks Tricky Dicky for posting this!

    I said I would put something up however no need now as you have done the job!;)

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2016
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  9. Matt5100

    Matt5100 Member

    I don’t think this is cheeky as I can’t afford the book!
    But is my grandfather in it ATK O’Brien1 SAS?
    I don’t think he will be as he seems to be a ghost ‍♂️
     
  10. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Hi Matt, books are a roll of Honour, so lists those who died, as I understand it your Grandfather survived the war so will not be listed.
     
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  11. Matt5100

    Matt5100 Member

    Oh I see, thank you for clarifying
     
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  12. Mfo

    Mfo New Member


    Sorry have made a post asking about this post . Not sure what's best . Carmichael family member so keen to know more
     
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  13. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    Welcome to the forum.

    I’ve alerted Gus to your post. I’m sure he will respond later today.

    Steve
     
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  14. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    I am always in a quandary when using material from this mighty tome. The years (yes years) of dedicated work that went into producing these volumes can not be understated, and please note, I am most definitely not the author (if I stood on a chair I still wouldn't be tall enough to scratch his arse!).

    The only way I can reconcile myself to posting contents from it on this website is to donate to Combat Stress each time I do (I am fortunate that my pension, sparingly, allows me to do this).

    It is very much a personal thing and I would never have it any other way, and as I always state in my posts relating to the volumes use, "Please note, if I should receive a cease and desist request in relation to this information I will, immediately and with all reverence, always."

    By way of example of I hope, the good that this does, please see here;

    Captain James Lees SBS/SAS

    It prompted this message to me from the late Capt. Lees' niece "Thank you so much for posting the account of my grandmother's trip to Yugoslavia to find out about her son, James Lees', death. I showed it to my mother this morning and she had never read it! It is an extraordinary account." and "I am so grateful for your latest postings. My mother (Capt. Lees sister) was fascinated to read the accounts. We do actually have copies of some of it in our family records, but they in such small writing that my mother would not be able to read them."

    The driver for me, and I hope that I'll always be allowed to step up on this, is for very personal reasons I don't want any of these chaps to be forgotten.

    Kind regards, always,

    Jim.

    P.S. The Combat Stress Charity is such a worthy recipient and I thoroughly intend to peg out skint on their behalf!
     
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  15. Wobbler

    Wobbler Well-Known Member

    Eloquently put, Jim.
     
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  16. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Jim

    As the author states they are also donating to charities I would believe they would be OK with you using material and whatever is made from it that if donated to a charity along similar lines then all is well

    TD
     
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