1985, ISBN: 9781848841581

Donald Dean lied about his age to enlist in the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment in 1915 and serve on the Western Front, where he worked his way up from Private to acting Captain. Sev… Plus…

Donald Dean lied about his age to enlist in the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment in 1915 and serve on the Western Front, where he worked his way up from Private to acting Captain. Severely wounded at Passchendaele in 1917, Dean's account of the battle for 'Tower Hamlets' is a gripping account of the horror of trench warfare. Recovered from his wounds, it was in the last weeks of the war, late in September 1918, that Dean won his VC for leading a platoon in the determined defence of a recently-captured and isolated trench against repeated German counterattacks. In one of these attacks, the Germans actually broke into the trench, forcing Dean to break off a call for artillery support with the words, 'The Germans are here, goodbye!' Refusing to be overrun, he personally killed four of the Germans and the position was held.Dean also served in World War II as a senior officer in the Pioneer Corps. He witnessed the fall of France in 1940 and claimed to be the last British soldier to escape from Boulogne. His frank account of the evacuation challenges some cherished conceptions and is very critical of the conduct of the Welsh Guards in particular. Dean describes his distinguished service in Madagascar, Sicily and the Italian mainland up to and beyond the German surrender. When he died in 1985, Colonel Dean was the longest surviving recipient of the Victoria Cross from the Trenches.Terry Crowdy was granted complete access to Dean's private letters and diaries, never previously published, adding additional notes and material from official reports to give the reader context. The result is a moving, often amusing and inspiring portrait of a hero of two world wars.; General, Pen & Sword Military<

2010, ISBN: 9781848841581

Pen and Sword, 2010. Hardbound. New Book. Hardbound. Crowdy, the author of other history books, presents the memoirs of Donald Dean, who fought for Britain in both of the World Wars. He … Plus…

Pen and Sword, 2010. Hardbound. New Book. Hardbound. Crowdy, the author of other history books, presents the memoirs of Donald Dean, who fought for Britain in both of the World Wars. He brings together two manuscripts (one for each of the wars) and papers, official reports, diary entries, and press cuttings to create a narrative that traces Dean's enlistment in the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment in 1915 (even though he was underage) to his rise in rank from private to acting captain in World War I, his accounts of battles, and winning the Victoria Cross. He served in World War II as a senior officer in the Pioneer Corps, witnessed the fall of France in 1940, and claimed to be the last British soldier to escape from Boulogne. Crowdy details his service in Madagascar, Sicily, and the Italian mainland up to and past the German surrender. Distributed by Casemate. (2010 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR), Pen and Sword, 2010, 0<

2010, ISBN: 9781848841581

Pen & Sword Military, 2010. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. In fair condition, suitable as a study… Plus…

Pen & Sword Military, 2010. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. In fair condition, suitable as a study copy. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,650grams, ISBN:9781848841581, Pen & Sword Military, 2010, 0<