This comprehensive Research Handbook examines the key drivers of the arms trade, mapping the main trends in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. It also explores the principal defence markets internationally, including the US, China, India, Russia and the UK in greater detail. Across twenty-six chapters, international experts assess the central drivers of the arms trade, such as the insecurities of small states in an increasingly realist world of power politics, the continued presence of conflict, technological change and the presence of corruption. Analysing critical issues from the future of air and naval power and their implications for the trade to the impact of emerging technology and the prospects for arms control, the chapters raise a number of central issues as to the challenges and future direction of the arms trade. The Research Handbook concludes that defence spending and procurement have remained paramount and on a general upward trend since the Cold War, particularly in Asia and the Middle East. This Research Handbook will be a valuable resource for academics and students of international relations, security studies and political science. Its global approach will also be beneficial for arms policy analysts and defence professionals.

In 1974 the Queen's Gallantry Medal was instituted to replace awards for gallantry in the Order of the British Empire for actions not quite meriting the award of the George Medal. Since then it has been awarded on 1,044 occasions, which includes 38 posthumous awards and 19 second awards. 'For Exemplary Bravery' explains in detail, for the first time, why the Queen's Gallantry Medal was instituted. It explores the relationship between the Queen's Gallantry Medal and other awards for bravery and, also for the first time, explains why the Royal Warrant was amended in 1977 to allow for posthumous awards. Details of the medal's production are examined - the evolution of its design, the artists involved and how it is manufactured - and the original artwork for the reverse design is revealed. Although intended 'primarily for civilians', the author reveals that the medal has, in fact, been awarded to more military recipients than civilian. The majority of this unique book comprises the register of recipients and their stories of extraordinary bravery. It lists every award; all of the published citations are included, with explanatory notes, the personal recollections of many of the recipients, and the details of their other awards and medals. Also included are citations never before published in the London Gazette. A series of thirteen appendices provides first-hand accounts of events that prompted actions to rescue others, repel pirates, tackle armed and violent robbers or deal with unexploded bombs. 'For Exemplary Bravery' is lavishly illustrated with pictures of the recipients, images from the scenes of the incidents where they reacted so gallantly, and full colour photographs of many of their medals groups.

The Victoria Cross is a decoration awarded to 'those officers and men who have served us in the presence of the enemy and shall then have performed some signal act of valour and devotion to their country.' The first VC awarded to a Gurkha was as a result of the 'most conspicuous bravery' in 1915 in France during the Great War. In all, the Gurkha Brigade has won a total of 26 Victoria Crosses, each with a unique tale of courage and devotion beyond the call of duty. This is their story.

This title contains a description of all units in British Service which have enlisted Gurkhas at some period. Revised, written and researched by Sir John Chapple, and his team, who's knowledge of the Gurkhas and their service in the British Army is second to none. It provides the authoritative account of the evolution of raising the Regiments from their inception, dating from 1815 to the present day, the recruitment of the different castes and their districts, and chronological lists of who and what served where.

Blacker's Boys tells the First World War history of the 9th (Service) Battalion, Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) (County Armagh), one of thirteen infantry battalions raised in Ireland for 36th (Ulster) Division. It begins with the political context of the long-running Home Rule crisis and the formation of the Ulster Volunteer Force in 1912. It describes the raising of the Battalion in September 1914 from the men of the Ulster Volunteers of Counties Armagh, Cavan and Monaghan, their training, their move to France and early experiences in the trenches. There are detailed accounts of the actions of the Battalion in the Battles of the Somme, Third Ypres and Cambrai, during the German offensive in 1918 and in the Advance to Victory. The main text is supported by detailed appendices that commemorate those who served and include a Roll of Honour of those who died; the awards and decorations earned; biographical summaries of more than 250 officers and details of over 3,400 men who served in its ranks, and an examination of its excellent discipline record. They explain how this Battalion transitioned from comprising only Protestant volunteers from Ulster to one that was a mix of Protestant and Roman Catholic Irishmen, Englishmen from Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and London, regular soldiers, war-time volunteers and conscripts. The text is supported by full colour maps and many unique photographs.

The years of National Service cover almost two decades from 1945 to 1963. During that time 2.5 million young men were compelled to do their time in National Service with 6,000 being called up every fortnight. Some went willingly while others were reluctant. A few were downright bloody-minded as they saw little difference between their call up and the press gangs of Britain's distant past. At first public opinion was behind the idea of peacetime conscription or national service as they call it. It was clear in the immediate post war political landscape that Britain had considerable obligations and only a limited number of men still in service. Overnight the national servicemen had to learn a new language. !Fatigues!, 'Blanco', 'spit n polish', 'rifle oil', 'pull throughs' and the dreaded 'bull' and 'jankers'. Once they had been shaved from the scalp and kitted out all within a few hours of arrival, the rookie National Servicemen all looked identical even if back in the barrack room every man was still an individual. The arena for the breaking in of these young men was the parade ground. In squads they learnt how to obey orders instinctively and to react to a single word of command by coping with a torrent of abuse from the drill Instructors. After basic training the raw recruits would be turned into soldiers, sailors and airmen and they would be posted to join regiments at home or abroad. Nearly 400 national servicemen would die for their country in war zones like Korea and Malaya. Others took part in atomic tests on Christmas Island or were even used as human guinea pigs for germ warfare tests. There are tragic stories also of young men who simply couldn't cope with military life and the pain of separation from their families. For some suicide was the only way out.

Michael Hafferty's memoirs of his National Service days in the RAF will strike a chord with any ex-serviceman (or woman ). He describes his RAF career from "Square Bashing" - Trade Training - Posting to Singapore and final "de-mob" in a light-hearted, at times laugh-out-loud style, which makes for easy reading. The characters he meets along his way will be recognised by anyone who served in the forces and evoke memories of the mid-50's and events now passed into history. His tales of hard-up conscripts, sent out to Singapore to serve their country make interesting reading for those curious as to what their fathers - or even grandfathers - got up to in their youth The descriptions of working with the Sunderland Flying Boats at RAF Seletar, both now sadly extinct, will prove fascinating to aircraft buffs and landlubbers alike. As a reminder of days gone by to "fellow sufferers," or as an insight to those born too late to experience the joys of National Service, it makes for a most enjoyable read. About the Author Michael was one of the last of many thousands of conscripts to go through the mill of National Service. Following his "de-mob" he joined the Police Force in which he served for 30 years.

The 9th Battalion The Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby) was part of Lord Kitchener's "New Army" made up initially of men from the north midlands This is their story complete with pictures of many of the men The 9th Battalion was not an elite force, but a group of ordinary working men who felt compelled to serve their country but found themselves in the most extra-ordinary military conflagration

This touching autobiography charts the incredible life of a Yorkshire-born lad whose life story could match any Hollywood script.Using his childhood talent of motorcycle racing he becomes a stunt rider performing at many local shows. When World War II breaks out his skill transfers perfectly to the role of despatch rider for the Royal Corps of Signals. This eventful journey takes him all over the world, till he is captured whilst serving in North Africa and transferred to a prisoner of war camp in Italy. Luckily, his farming expertise means he is sent to work on local farmland, which enables his daring escape, aided by the partisans.Despite living such a spectacular life, Nicholson remains a stoical, down-to-earth man and tells his story with an openness and enthusiasm which is heart-warming, and will remind you of the indomitable spirit which makes Britain great.

"Don't be too ready to listen to stories told by attractive women. They may be acting under orders." This was only one of the many warnings given to the 30,000 British troops preparing to land in the enemy territory of Nazi Germany nine-and-a-half months after D-Day. The newest addition to the Bodleian Library's bestselling series of wartime pamphlets, "Instructions for British Servicemen in Germany, 1944" opens an intriguing window into the politics and military stratagems that brought about the end of World War II.
The pamphlet is both a succinct survey of German politics, culture, and history and a work of British propaganda. Not only does the pamphlet cover general cultural topics such as food and drink, currency, and social customs, but it also explains the effect of years of the war on Germans and their attitudes toward the British. The book admonishes, "The Germans are not good at controlling their feelings. They have a streak of hysteria. You will find that Germans may often fly into a passion if some little thing goes wrong." The mix of humor and crude stereotypes--"If you have to give orders to German civilians, give them in a firm, military manner. The German civilian is used to it and expects it"--in the text make this pamphlet a stark reminder of the wartime fears and hopes of the British.
By turns a manual on psychological warfare, a travel guide, and a historical survey, "Instructions for British Servicemen in Germany, 1944" offers incomparable insights into how the British, and by extension the Allied forces, viewed their fiercest enemy on the eve of its defeat.