The Suicide Raid

This is Corran Purdon’s story, one of five true-life recollections from the Second World War in Tales From The Special Forces Club.

The Special Forces Club is a fabled gentlemen’s club, based in the heart of London. It has a closely guarded secret: you have to be a genuine hero to be a member.

Corran Purdon was a gung-ho officer in the Ulster Rifles who thirsted for action. He would volunteer for a new unit, requested by Churchill: the British Commandos.

Corran was to fight in ‘The Greatest Raid of All’: the destruction of the port of St Nazaire in France. The volunteers knew it was fraught with risks. This is his story.

Reviews

‘Sean Rayment has gathered wartime experiences that have an extra resonance. For his veterans served in the Special Forces… [a] brilliant and often deeply moving book.’
Sinclair McKay, Sunday Telegraph

‘An outstanding book offering a vital insight into the wartime adventures of that small community of Britain's war heroes who rarely speak publicly.’ Chris Hughes, Daily Mirror

‘A cracking read, couldn't put it down.’ Neil Chandler, Daily Star Sunday

About the author

Sean Rayment is the defense correspondent for The Telegraph. He is the author of Bomb Hunters, following the tours of duty of bomb disposal teams in Afghanistan. His time spent as a captain in 3 Para, as well as his connections throughout the armed services, mean he can open the doors to these unique veterans from WWII that have been closed to other writers over the years. He will be the first to properly tell their story.