Books published by Naval & Military Press Ltd

In 1877 the British Army was not engaged in any major campaigns, with only the Zulu Wars and the second Afghan War on the horizon. The Armt itself was in a state of change, with the Martini-Henry rifle replacing the Snider rilfed musket, and with the slow arrival of breech loading guns for artillery use.This official manual of the ammunition in service in December 1877 is one of a number to be reprinted by Naval and Military Press (others will include the ammunition maunual;s for 1915 and 1936, and enemy ammunition in the Second World War).It gives complete details on propellants and fuzes, and the construction and design of shells for artillery use, both for smooth bore and rifled guns. It also includes small arms ammunition and rockets. The importance of this edition of the manual cannot be overemphasised, coming as it does at the very point in time when the rifled waepon was coming in to use, slowly replacing the smooth-bored muzzle-loading weapons of the Napoleonic age.There is a number of colour plates included ogether with many black and white drawings and tables with complete detail.

In 1881 the 83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot was linked to the 86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot thus forming the 1st and 2nd Battalions of a new regiment - the Royal Irish Rifles. In 1921 the designation was changed to the Royal Ulster Rifles. This regimental history extends over a period of 120 years, beginning with the raising of the 83rd and 86th in 1793 and ending in 1912. The author has done a thorough job with this book, so I was more than a bit surprised to read in the Foreword by the Colonel of the Regiment (in his 98th year) his reference to "this little book that I have before me....." when you could do with a porter to carry it for you. This is a goldmine for the genealogist or medallist, for not only does the detail of the text abound with the names of personnel but also there is the complete list of officers who served in the 83rd, 86th and, after 1881, the Royal Irish Rifles. The information against each name gives date of commission or date of transferring from another regiment, dates of subsequent promotions and the date he left the regiment and the reason, such as retired, resigned, half pay, died, transferred to Indian Army or to another regiment etc. Another list gives the names of other ranks awarded the DCM showing campaign and reason for the award, and yet another names the officers who received the Military General Service Medal for service in the Peninsular War and which clasps were awarded. Another appendix lists the succession of Colonels (83rd, 86th and Royal Irish Rifles) with details of their military careers.This is a very good history which begins with the raising of the regiments and continues with each chapter devoted to one or the other regiments for a specific period. Thus, for example, Chapter III is headed 'Eighty-sixth Regiment (1793-1799)' and Chapter VIII 'Eighty-third Regiment (1805-1817).' Most of the 83rd's Battle Honours were won in the Peninsular War where it took part in the campaign from 1809 to 1814, both regiments were in India during the same period, 1842-1859. The narrative not only describes in great detail the actions, battles and skirmishes with casualties but also all other events in the life of the regiments:- moves, rations, clothing, equipment, strength returns, correspondence and so on. The maps are very good and finally, there is a chapter on dress, the Colours and medals. It is the story of a regiment.

"Shiny Seventh" was the nickname of the 7th (City of London) Battalion The London Regiment which, prior to the formation of the Territorial Force in 1908, had been the 3rd City of London Rifle Volunteers. This history tells the story from those early beginnings to the end of WWII including the period between wars when, in 1936, the the regiment's role changed from infantry to searchlight and the title to 32nd (7th City of London) AA Battalion, RE.,TA. Most of the book, some 200 pages, is concerned with the Great War and the record of the two active battalions, 1/7th and 2/7th. The 1/7th landed in France in March 1915 with 4th London Brigade, 2nd London Division (in May these became 140th Brigade, 47th Division) and remained with it till January 1918. Its first major action was at Festubert and subsequently it fought at Loos, Vimy, High Wood (the divisional memorial stands today) Butte de Warlencourt , Messines and Cambrai. 2/7th was raised in September 1914 and landed in France in January 1917 with 174th Brigade 58th Division fighting its first major battle at Bullecourt in May and then took part in the Third Ypres offensive. In January 1918, following the reorganisation of the BEF from four to three battalion brigades the two battalions amalgamated becoming 7th London, in 174th Brigade 58th Division in which it served to the end of the war. The narrative includes extracts from letters, diaries and articles written by officers and men, casualty details are given as they occur and gallantry awards and other incidents. One of the diaries quoted from is that of K.O.Peppiatt whose signature used to appear on our banknotes before WWII. The inter-war years and WWII are only briefly covered and the Roll of Honour for The Great War (none for WWII)has the one list, officers and men of both battalions, in alphabetical order but without identifying the battalion; Honours and Awards are shown under 1/7th and the combined 2/7th and 7th. Other appendices give the succession of Honorary Colonels and provide details of Regimental Colours and Battle Honours. There is plenty of local interest which would certainly have jogged the memories of the Old Comrades.