SAS: DUTY BEFORE GLORY

SAS: DUTY BEFORE GLORY
by Tony Rushmer.


What the SAS did in the second world war has always been a popular subject with new books coming out annually. In this new biography of Albert Reginald Seekings we learn more about Reg himself, as well as his younger brother's wartime experiences.

'Reg' was one of the 'Originals' selected by David Stirling when the unit was first formed in 1941. He had previously joined the Commandos with his younger brother Bob.
As the story of the early days of the SAS are so often told, I won't repeat them here. 
Readers will follow Reg through selection to parachute and some unorthodox training, before David Stirling's men then join forces with the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) on many famous raids carried out hundreds of miles behind enemy lines in the desert. 
Action in Sicily, Italy and France would follow. 

It would be in France, in 1944, when Reg would be either incredibly lucky or unlucky, depending on your point of view. Approaching a German gun position to attack it, Reg was spotted and shot in the head! The bullet lodging between his skull and spine. After some rest he would remarkably recover enough to stay with the unit before having the bullet removed later in Britain. 

With France liberated the push into Germany would bring many more challenges, both physically and mentally. 
None more so then the horrific scenes on liberating Bergen-Belson Concentration Camp. One guard would quickly feel the force of Reg's anger.

After the war Reg would move out to Southern Rhodesia. Here he had an interesting job training a Police Anti-Terrorist unit whose Chief had previously served in the Long Range Desert Group.
On eventually returning to Britain, Reg sadly died in 1999 just days before his 79th birthday. 

Despite the story of the SAS in the war being very familiar to me, it has been refreshing to see things largely from Reg's point of view, including in his own words from recorded interviews. 
What the SAS did and continue to do, must never be forgotten.
This has been a thoroughly enjoyable read, that I have no hesitation in recommending. 

The hardback book is published by Michael O'Mara books limited and is published on September 26th.
I thank the publisher for this review copy.

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