This month Cowes based Medina Publishing release their new title Rose, Castle and Crown: Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s Citizen Soldiers, by Colonel (Retired) Patrick Crowley MBE DL.
It’s a title that both documents and celebrates the sterling work undertaken by the men and women of the Isle of Wight and Hampshire army reserves, revealing many surprising and profound facts about the history of our local army reserves.
For example did you know:
- In Gallipoli, in 1915, the Isle of Wight Rifles lost 3 brothers from the same family on the same day; Frederick, William and Edward Urry. The brother’s tragic story has been claimed to be one of the inspirations for the premise of Oscar-winning film ‘Saving Private Ryan’.
- Beside Winchester Cathedral is a headstone in memory of Thomas Fletcher, a Grenadier of the North Hampshire Militia, who died of a violent fever contracted by drinking small beer, in 1764. The inscription on his headstone provided the inspiration for the foundation of Alcoholics Anonymous!
- The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Territorial Force units of 1908 amounted to nearly 9,000 men.
- In between the 2 world wars, Territorials were responsible for both coastal defence batteries and anti-aircraft guns across the county.
- Local Militia destroyed a French invasion on the Isle of Wight in 1545.
- 4,000 Isle of Wight men volunteered to join the Home Guard at the start of the Second World War.
- The local mayor, with the support of local militia and some sailors captured Carisbrooke Castle in the English Civil War.
- One of the first tasks of Isle of Wight Territorials in the Second World War was to arrest any German waiters working in local hotels.
- Modern Army Reservists are still very much in evidence in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, spread across Portsmouth, Southampton, Basingstoke, Thorney Island, Worthy Down, Middle Wallop, Aldershot, Cosham and the Isle of Wight.
Fascinating story of citizen soldiers
The book tells the fascinating story of citizen soldiers woven through times of war and peace and framed in the context of British Army history.
Drawn from towns, villages and hamlets across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, volunteers have served at home and in numerous territories abroad: including the former Ottoman Empire, Burma, Siberia, France, Belgium, the Balkans, as well as post-9/11 Afghanistan and Iraq.
Reservists contribution to UK’s military capabilities
Rose, Castle and Crown underscores the challenge and sacrifice that all military volunteers, throughout history, have had to make balancing the needs of service with family demands and their main civilian employment.
It also demonstrates that reservists continue to significantly contribute to the United Kingdom’s military capabilities.
About the author
Patrick Crowley has written seven previous books on military history including Kut 1916: The Forgotten British Disaster in Iraq, and Loyal to Empire: The Life of General Sir Charles Monro 1860-1929.
You can purchase your copy of Rose, Castle and Crown at Medina Bookshop, Cowes High Street or via their Website.
News shared by Paul on behalf of Medina Publishing. Ed
