Just released: With the 8th Rifle Brigade from Normandy to the Baltic

After 6 years of preparation it is finally finished: the illustrated autobiography of Don Gillate, an 8th Rifle Brigade and 11th Armoured Division veteran I first met in 1999. Don recorded his experiences in the early 1990s. I have edited and researched his story, been in touch with his wartime platoon commander - who was kind enough to write the foreword to the book - and collected some 150 original photos and contemporary maps (in colour) to illustrate Don’s story. The book measures 7.0” by 10.0” is in full colour and has 276 pages.

For a preview of the first 30 pages (use "Extract" button) or if you want to buy one or more copies, please take a look at the publisher's site at https://tredition.co.uk/publish-boo...8th-Rifle-Brigade-from-Normandy-to-the-Baltic . Quite soon now the book will also be available through your local bookshop or through Amazon. The hard cover version comes at £ 24.99 (ISBN 978-3-7439-9791-2) and also paper back (£ 19.99) and eBook (£ 3.99) versions are available.

 

Just added full book cover to previous post, including brief summary on back...

 

Congratulations on publication!

 

Good work Ronald.

I also happened to correspond with Donald Gillate back in the late 90-ies on his involvement in the Ardennes 1945 (his unit was on Chapel Hill or what they jokingly called 'Hill 113' looking down on the village of Bure). He had clear memories and was a good storyteller.

I certainly would recommend Gillate's book .

 

Thanks for your kind replies.
There indeed are some nice stories in the book about 8th Rifle Brigade's and Don's involvement in the Ardennes - from 21 December 1944 until mid January 1945 - at Givet, Beauraing and 'Hill 113', or Chapel Hill...

 

Now also available through Amazon... and through your local bookshop! For preview of first 30 pages, use link to publishers site in #1 above.

 

Hi Ronald,

Your book arrived today, and I am already a massive fan. I'm only a little way in (still at Hill 112) but finding it enormously interesting, moving and inspiring. Great work, and an enormously refreshing perspective. Once I am finished, I will post more, but in the meantime, many congratulations. I wish you lots of success.

Regards

Tom

 

Hi Tom,

Many thanks for your kind and enthusiastic reply. I hope you will enjoy the rest as much as the first part!

Kind regards, Ronald.

 

About halfway through the book, a fantastic account! Well done it's such a great read!

 

Hello Clement,

Thanks for your enthusiastic comment! I hope (and expect) you will enjoy the second half just as much, it will take you through Belgium, Holland and Germany, all the way to the Baltic.

Kind regards, Ronald.

 

Exactly 75 years ago today, the 8th Rifle Brigade, liberated Amiens. In a surprise attack the Pont Beauville across the Somme river was captured, intact, by a section 3 carriers of 13 Scout Platoon. Don Gillate was part of this section, that was led by Sgt, Stan Triggs MC. It was a reason to use the first of the attached photos for the cover of Don Gillate's autobiograpy "With the 8th Rifle Brigade from Normandy to the Baltic" (available through Amazon.co.uk or https://tredition.co.uk/boo…/book-of-the-month-uk-june-2019/ ). All photos attached were taken at Amiens on 31 August 1944. Photos 1, 2 and 3 are of 8th Rifle Brigade Scout Platoon carriers, rushing across the Boulevard d'Alsace Lorraine. The last photo is of the Beauville bridge, just after it being captured by the 8th Rifle Brigade.