Stretcher Bearer The Butchers Bill

Conventional warfare between two countries is ugly and shocking for those taking part. The author was a 21-year old Paratrooper when he sailed 8000 miles to a foreign land he had never heard of before - the Falkland Island's to free the islanders from an aggressor who had landed on their shores and taken full control. There has always been controversy over the legality of the Falkland Islands between Britain and Argentina ever since Britain reasserted its claim of the islands as far back as 1833. It was such a shock that the then late Governor of the Islands Sir Rex Hunt said when he saw the Argentine's swarming ashore, "It looks like the buggers really mean it." The small Garrison of Royal Marines were overrun and surrendered to the Argentine Special Forces - but not without a typical fierce Commando fire fight. The Author was accompanied by his older brother also 2 Para and had a younger brother training at the Para Depot itching to be part of the Task Force, but just missed out. Soldiers are very proud of serving their country and none more so than the Author. Service personnel are not to know that by taking part in such horrors as full on battlefield warfare that they may be fighting their own personal battles or demons long after leaving the service. Ten-years after leaving the Army the Author was involved in a horrific road traffic accident involving multiple vehicles on the M6 Motorway. He instantly went into battle mode whilst trying to help the casualty who died in front of him. Shortly after this and quite un-expectantly he was diagnosed with Severe Combat Related PTSD. Hidden horrors of past wartime experiences that had been stored away for many years were released triggered by the accident. These horrors were to change the Authors' life forever. He was proud to serve as a Stretcher Bearer during the war and echoes what Nelson wrote in his cabin before the battle of Trafalgar. 'May humanity after victory be the predominant feature in the British Fleet?' Nelson also used the term; the Butcher's Bill,' after battle when he wanted to know how many men he had lost in battle. He would shout to his orderly. "What's the Butcher's Bill today orderly?" Well the British certainly did Nelson proud looking after both their own casualties as well as the Argentine's on the battlefield. Read the Authors straight from the heart account of the battles for Darwin Hill, Goose Green and Wireless Ridge you won’t be able to put this book down.