Sir John Gorman: The Times of My Life
Sir John Gorman: The Times of My Life

Author: John Gorman

Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Published: 2003-03-19

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 1783379448

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The Northern Ireland politician and British Army veteran chronicles his storied life in this memoir. After serving in the Irish Guards in northwest Europe (where he won a legendary MC for ramming a King Tiger tank), John Gorman’s career included being Head of Security with BOAC, and closely involved with Royal visits. Later he was Europe’s largest landlord running the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. before entering politics and becoming Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Sir John Gorman exudes relaxed charm, humour and impeccable style. This book mirrors all these enviable characteristics and makes for a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read.

Southern Ireland and the Liberation of France
Southern Ireland and the Liberation of France

Author: Gerald Morgan

Publisher: Peter Lang

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 9783034301909

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This collection is intended to correct the view that the Irish Free State did not take part in the Second World War. It argues that the 9000 Irish casualties sustained during the conflict came more or less equally from the Southern and Northern parts of the island.

The Thin Green Line
The Thin Green Line

Author: Richard Doherty

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2005-03-19

Total Pages: 373

ISBN-13: 1781594465

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Formed out of the Royal Irish Constabulary at the time of Partition, the RUC's history is predictably a turbulent one right through to its replacement in 2001 by the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Few police forces in the world have suffered so grievously as the RUC and this book is a fitting memorial to the sacrifices made in the interests of the civil population it was determined to protect. Throughout its history, it has not only had to perform normal police duties but contain the ever present IRA threat. In 1969, the climate changed and ushered in a new and even more violent era of sectarian strife. The emergence of extreme nationalist organizations posed grave problems and, with the RUC in a prime role, the position of the Chief Constable was hugely important. This book tells the story of a remarkable police force without fear or favor. Ironically its reward for containing a hugely challenging internal security situation and at the same time policing the community traditionally was its disbandment.

A Political History of the Two Irelands
A Political History of the Two Irelands

Author: B. Walker

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2012-01-17

Total Pages: 267

ISBN-13: 0230363407

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This ground-breaking political history of the two Irish States provides unique new insights into the 'Troubles' and the peace process. It examines the impact of the fraught dynamics between the competing identities of the Nationalist-Catholic-Irish Community on the one hand and the Unionist-Protestant-British community on the other.

Operation Goodwood
Operation Goodwood

Author: Ian Daglish

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2008-06-15

Total Pages: 602

ISBN-13: 1783034882

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This ground-level WWII history describes the British armored offensive into occupied France with rare wartime photos. Military historian Ian Daglish presents an authoritatively detailed chronicle of the greatest armored battle undertaken by the British during the Second World War. After the Normandy Landings, Operation Goodwood sent British tanks south out of the Orne bridgehead. Though the operation failed to break through German defenses, it exposed critical vulnerabilities that would ultimately assist the Allies in the liberation of France. Along with the engaging and informative text, this volume includes newly discovered aerial photos taken during the fighting by the RAF. This amazing imagery makes it possible to trace the course of the battle and to track the movement of the armored regiments and troops of both sides.

British Armoured Divisions and their Commanders, 1939-1945
British Armoured Divisions and their Commanders, 1939-1945

Author: Richard Doherty

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2013-07-16

Total Pages: 320

ISBN-13: 1848848382

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A total of eleven British armoured divisions were formed during the 1939-1945 war but, as this highly informative book reveals, just eight saw action.??In 1940 only 1st Armoured Division faced the German blitzkrieg and it was in the North African desert that armoured divisions came into their own. The terrain was ideal and six such divisions of Eighth Army fought Rommel's Panzers into submission. Three were disbanded prior to the invasion of Sicily and Italy. The campaign from D-Day onwards saw the Guards Armoured, 7th Armoured (the Desert Rats), 11th and Percy Hobart's 79th Armoured Division in the thick of the action.??Of particular interest are the men who commanded these elite formations and the way their characters contributed to the outcome of operations. While some, such as Dick McCreery, went onto greater heights, others did not make the grade; the stakes were high. A number, such as 'Pip' Roberts, were just perfectly suited in the role.??Written by a leading military historian, this book describes many fascinating aspects of armoured warfare from its uncertain beginnings, through the development of tactics and the evolving tank design. Due to British deficiencies, reliance had to be placed on US Grants and Shermans, with the Comet coming late and the Centurion too late.??The combination of gripping historical narrative and well researched fact make this an invaluable and highly readable work on the contribution of British Armoured Divisions to victory in the Second World War.

Viceregalism
Viceregalism

Author: H. Kumarasingham

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-07-18

Total Pages: 385

ISBN-13: 3030462838

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This book examines how the Crown has performed as Head of State across the UK and post war Commonwealth during times of political crisis. It explores the little-known relationships, powers and imperial legacies regarding modern heads of state in parliamentary regimes where so many decisions occur without parliamentary or public scrutiny. This original study highlights how the Queen’s position has been replicated across continents with surprising results. It also shows the topicality and contemporary relevance of this historical research to interpret and understand crises of governance and the enduring legacy of monarchy and colonialism to modern politics. This collection uniquely brings together a diverse set of states including specific chapters on England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Brunei, Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe/Rhodesia, Australia, Tuvalu, and the Commonwealth Caribbean. Viceregalism is written and conceptualised to remind that the Crown is not just a ceremonial part of the constitution, but a crucial political and international actor of real importance.

The Times of My Life
The Times of My Life

Author: John Gorman

Publisher: Leo Cooper Books

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13:

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Sir John Gorman served with the Irish Guards in North West Europe, winning the MC for ramming and knocking-out a Royal Tiger tank; the thickness of its armor precluded any other alternative! After the War he followed his father into the Royal Ulster Constabulary - not the normal choice of career for a Roman Catholic. He was 'headhunted' to join BOAC as head of Security. Amongst his duties was accompanying H.M. The Queen on Royal visits overseas. He rose to run the airline's operations in Canada before being invited to head the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the largest landlord in Europe at a very sensitive time. A man of immense energy and charm, he progressed to becoming a Member and Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly, despite being 79. Like so many of his Countrymen, Sir John tells a tremendous story with disarming honesty and great good humor.

Irish Officers in the British Forces, 1922-45
Irish Officers in the British Forces, 1922-45

Author: Steven O'Connor

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2014-03-25

Total Pages: 234

ISBN-13: 1137350865

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Irish Officers in the British forces, 1922-45 looks at the reasons why young Irish people took the king's commission, including the family tradition, the school influence and the employment motive. It explores their subsequent experiences in the forces and the responses in independent Ireland to the continuation of this British military connection.

Operation Bluecoat
Operation Bluecoat

Author: Ian Daglish

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2010-04-19

Total Pages: 334

ISBN-13: 1848840497

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After seven weeks of bitter fighting there was a desperate need to break out of the Normandy bridgehead. In late July 1944 Lieutenant-General Sir Miles Dempsey’s Second Army moved two entire corps from the Caen sector to the relatively quiet countryside around Caumont. Here, the British XXX Corps prepared to give battle, with VII Corps advancing in support on the right flank between XXX Corps and the American first Army. The offensive did not go to plan. While the XXX Corps attack stalled, VIII Corps surged ahead. With the experienced 11th Armoured and 15th Scottish Divisions in the lead and Guards Armoured close behind, a deep penetration was made, threatening to take the pivotal city of Vire and unhinge General Hausser’s German Seventh Army. The main narrative of this book will span the initial break-in from Caumont on 30 July, through the armored battles of the following days, to the desperate German counter-attacks of 4 – 6 August, the no less desperate German defense of Estry up to the middle of the month, and the final withdrawal from Normandy. The book also examines Monty’s refusal to seize Vire, the disputed Anglo-American border and the Operation’s impact on the German Mortain offensive.