Page 145 - MERCIAN Eagle 2015

Book Review
Written by Jim Massey with notes provided by John Cotterill
Bright Eyes of Danger - An
Account of the Anglo-Sikh Wars
1845 – 1849 by Bill Whitburn
This has just arrived and a cursory review
of the contents shows that it is a scholastic
publication which describes in great
detail the politics in India in the nineteenth
century leading up to war in 1845. This is
refreshing as the Sikh side of the story is
also included. It states that the Battle of
Ferozeshah was a closer-run thing than
Waterloo as the British Empire stood on
the brink of disaster. The 29th of Foot
(Worcesters) fought with distinction in both wars, while the pivotal part played by the 80th Foot (Staffordshire Volunteers) in their night attack at Ferozeshah is too well known to repeat to Mercian readers. The 98th Foot were in the Punjab during the Second Sikh War and whilst playing a useful role, did not take part in any of the major battles. If you judge a book by its cover, then this one depicts the painting by Peter Archer of Colour Sergeant Matthew Kirkland of
the 80th in the act of capturing a Sikh Standard. The painting also covers the back cover, which makes the book impressive even to look at.
Printed by Helion & Company – ISBN 978-1-909982-21-5
Not Just names – A Tribute to the Fallen of Cannock Chase by Paul Bedford
The author has researched the names
of the people listed in the various war memorials in Bridgetown, Cannock, Hednesford, Chadsmoor, Wimblebury, Heath Hayes and Norton Canes. He has written a few lines about each person,
less a handful for which no information
could be found. This is an excellent piece
of research which will be greatly valued by
local historians. During the course of it, the
author discovered that many people from
Chadsmoor were never shown on a war memorial. Thanks to his campaigning and with the help of Derek Davis and other councillors from Cannock Chase District Council, this was rectified when a new memorial was dedicated on 18th April 2015. Hednesford Branch of The Staffordshire Regiment Association was involved with organising the ceremony.
Printed by Brewin Books – ISBN – 978-1-85858-536-9
Mud, Blood and Determination - The History of the 46th (North Midland) Division in the Great War by Simon Peaple
We are attempting to obtain a copy of this book, which we stumbled across at a book review which was held in Tamworth. As this Division comprised of Sherwood Forester Battalions, two South Stafford and one North Stafford Battalion, it is of immense interest to our Regiment. This is an initiative of the War Studies Team at Wolverhampton University.
Helion and Company Ltd. ISBN 978-1-910294-66-6
Stolen Lives by Andrew
Hamilton and Alan Reed.
Individual tragedies of the Great War Regimental stories include includes the five Souls brothers, Roland Leighton and Albert Ball.
Dene House Publishing. ISBN 978-0- 9561820-2-9
British Infantry Battalion Commanders in the First World
War by Peter Hodgkinson
An excellent book with lots of little-known details about many COs from all our antecedent regiments.
Ashgate Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1- 4724-3825-6
Challenge of Battle by Adrian Gilbert
This covers the first few months of the Great War including 2 and 3 WORC R and 2 Foresters. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978- 1-4728-1059-5
Aisne 1918 by David Blanchard
Excellent detailed coverage of this oft overlooked battle including lots of detail on 1, 3 and 10 WORC R , 1 Foresters , 9,10 and 11 Cheshires , 4 S Staffords and 8 N Staffords.
Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 1783376058
From the Somme to Victory
by Peter Simkins
A good exploration of how the British Army actually won the war. It includes material on 1 WORC R, 1,9,10 and 15 Foresters. The Praetorian Press. ISBN 178159312-4
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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