Andrew Powell-Thomas – författare

The landlocked county of Wiltshire, characterised by its high downland and wide valleys, has a rich military history that stretches back through the centuries. Evidence of Wiltshire’s military heritage can be seen throughout the county with numerous buildings and other structures still standing today, from ancient hillforts and medieval castles to military bases used in two world wars and the present day, as well as the army’s training area on Salisbury Plain.Wiltshire’s Military Heritage explores the long military history of the county, not only the battles that took place on its soil, including between warring Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and Danish invaders and during the English Civil War, but also the measures that were taken to defend it against possible attack. It also covers the heritage of the military units that were raised in the county and which were sent to fight in conflicts abroad. The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry was originally raised in 1794 and fought in the Boer War and both world wars, and is part of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry based in Wiltshire today. Wiltshire’s airfields played a significant role in both world wars, including during the Battle of Britain, and in recent years the town of Wootton Bassett became Royal Wootton Bassett because of its role in military funeral repatriations.This book will be of interest to all those who would like to know more about Wiltshire’s remarkable military history.

The largest of the Channel Islands, Jersey is a self-governing dependency of the British Crown. It has retained its special identity through the centuries with many historic buildings, both in the capital St Helier and spread through the rest of the island, and rural and agricultural areas alongside more modern developments. The coastline to the south of the island boasts sandy bays while to the north the coast is distinguished by large cliffs.50 Gems of Jersey explores the many places and their history that make this unique island so special, including natural features, towns and villages, buildings and places of historical interest. Alongside justly famous attractions, others will be relatively unknown but all have an interesting story to tell.

Lying just a few miles off the Hampshire coast, the Isle of Wight is famous for its attractive landscape and historical connections. Its coastal scenery is varied, dotted with towns and fortifications built through the centuries to repel invaders, with a chalk downland spine to the island. Carisbrooke Castle held King Charles I during the English Civil War and royal connections continued with Queen Victoria, who made her home on the island at Osborne House. Other eminent Victorians followed including the poet Tennyson and the island became popular with tourists and holidaymakers. Cowes became synonymous with yacht racing and other attractions have been developed in the last century. Marconi sent the world's very first wireless transmission from the Needles Park while the nearby Needles Battery became the testing site for Britain’s independent rocket-building programme in the 1960s.50 Gems of the Isle of Wight explores the many places and their history that make this unique island so special, including natural features, towns and villages, buildings and places of historical interest. Alongside justly famous attractions, others will be relatively unknown but all have an interesting story to tell.

The Isle of Wight has been a popular holiday destination since the Victorian times, with the island known for its mild climate, beautiful scenery and historic connections. It also sits right at the entrance to the important Southampton and Portsmouth docks and because of this, there are a number of impressive castles and fortifications located on the island, including Carisbrooke Castle. Throughout history, the importance of the Isle of Wight has been recognised by invaders, and the island was attacked by the Vikings, the Normans, the French and most recently the Germans during the Second World War. Cowes was the home of Saunders-Roe, the military aircraft and vehicle manufacturer and in the Cold War, the Needles Battery was the testing site for Britain’s Blue Streak nuclear deterrent missile.This book will be of interest to all those who would like to know more about the Isle of Wight’s remarkable military history.

The story of Scotland’s castles is woven into the history of the country. These formidable structures have guarded the landscape since medieval times, and many of these structures are famous emblems of Scotland today. The royal castles in the strategically important cities of Edinburgh and Stirling still dominate their surroundings, but many others stand proud in more remote areas, often by lochs or the sea, on islands or in the mountains. Many simpler fortified structures were built along the border with England, and as the centuries passed many castles in Scotland were converted into country houses or even new houses were built in the style of castles. Today these iconic structures draw visitors from far and wide to explore a unique part of Scotland’s heritage. This fascinating portrait of the castles of Scotland will appeal to all those who wish to know more about the history of the country as well as those interested in the story of its castles.

As Hitler’s Germany spread her wings across Europe in the late 1930s, nations across the continent began preparing their own defences. The threat of invasion on home soil seemed unlikely at first, but as the relentless Nazi war machine steamrollered country after country, by June 1940 a series of ‘stop lines’ were created across Britain in an effort to delay any Nazi invasion.This book looks at the role and locations of the Taunton stop line, a 50-mile defensive ‘wall’ spanning Somerset, Devon and Dorset, and its lasting legacy that can still be seen today across the idyllic rolling countryside of the South West.

The county of Somerset can trace its origins back to Anglo-Saxon England, when it was a distinct part of the kingdom of Wessex, although the history of its peoples stretches back much further. Much of the county is agricultural and its wealth in the Middle Ages is seen today in Wells Cathedral, churches and the remains of abbeys. The north-east of the county was also a coal-mining area and Bridgwater became an important port in the Industrial Revolution. Today the county is as well known for the annual Glastonbury Festival as it is for its many tourist attractions.In 50 Gems of Somerset, author Andrew Powell-Thomas explores the many places and their history that make this part of the south-west of England so special. It includes Roman remains, castles, magnificent houses and churches, and historic towns, as well as present-day festivals and events. There is also a living heritage of military, transport and industry and natural attractions that include moors, hills, coastline, parks and many other treasures. Alongside the justly famous sites such as Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole the author includes many lesser-known gems that are equally deserving of attention.

The county of Devon, with its coastline north and south, wild moorland, and rolling rural countryside, villages, market towns, many characterised by local industries, and historic cities of Exeter and Plymouth, has a rich military history that stretches back through centuries. Evidence of Devon’s military heritage can be seen throughout the county with numerous buildings and other structures still standing proud today.Devon’s Military Heritage explores the long military history of the county, not only the battles that took place on its soil and the measures that were taken to defend it against possible attack but also the heritage of the military units that were raised in the county and which were sent to fight in conflicts abroad. The 1588 Spanish Armada was first engaged by the English fleet off Plymouth, and the famous Devon mariners Sir Francis Drake, Sir John Hawkins, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Richard Grenville were at the forefront of the defeat of the Armada and other encounters with the Spanish during this period. A hundred years later, in 1688, William of Orange landed at Brixham to launch the Glorious Revolution. Devonport has long been a major port and shipbuilding centre for the Royal Navy and Plymouth was a target for German aerial bombardment in the Second World War. Soldiers from the Devonshire Regiment and the Royal Devon Yeomanry and their antecedents fought for the country for centuries and Devon was also the site of the disastrous rehearsal for D-Day where hundreds of Allied servicemen lost their lives off Slapton Sands and in Lyme Bay. The military heritage of castles, fortifications, airfields, military bases and monuments throughout the county is also explored.This book will be of interest to all those who would like to know more about Devon’s remarkable military history.

The county of Cornwall in the far south-west of England is surrounded by sea on three sides. Resisting Roman and Anglo-Saxon invaders, it retained its Celtic independence and remained separate from the rest of England into the Middle Ages. Cornwall has a rich military history that stretches back through centuries, and evidence of this military heritage can be seen throughout the county with numerous buildings and other structures still standing today. Cornwall’s Military Heritage explores the history of the county – not only the battles that took place on its soil and the measures that were taken to defend it, but also the heritage of the military units that were nurtured there and sent to fight in conflicts abroad. Cornwall was home to two uprisings in 1497, followed by the Prayer Book Rebellion in 1549 and the Spanish raiding of 1595. In the English Civil War, Cornwall was a Royalist stronghold in the predominantly Parliamentarian South West, and Pendennis Castle was besieged alongside the strategic Isles of Scilly, contested by both sides. Author Andrew Powell-Thomas explores the conflicts surrounding an array of historic monuments, including castles, forts, airfields and military bases, noting how the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and its antecedents fought through two world wars to maintain the survival of this most remarkable county.

Wiltshire is one of the largest counties in southern England. Much of it is comprised of high chalk downland, most famously on Salisbury Plain, and wide valleys and vales, often with rivers running through them, but in the north-west Wiltshire runs into the Cotswolds and south-east Wiltshire lies on the edge of the New Forest. Wiltshire is unsurpassed in its ancient sites, from the Neolithic monuments of Stonehenge and Avebury to numerous barrows and burial chambers. Later ages have also added to Wiltshire’s gems, from the distinctive white horses cut into the chalk on hillsides, to Salisbury Cathedral, Longleat and the gardens at Stourhead.In 50 Gems of Wiltshire author Andrew Powell-Thomas explores the many places and their history that make this part of the South West so special. The 50 Gems include ancient sites of the earliest settlers in the area, castles, historic towns and villages, stunning country houses and estates, natural beauty spots and many other treasures. Alongside the justly famous the author includes many lesser-known gems that are equally deserving of attention.