Dean Hollands – författare

For centuries Farnborough was a small town south-west of London, but today it has transformed into a large, vibrant commercial community, synonymous worldwide with the international air show, which it has hosted since 1949, and the home of military aviation. However, the real origins of Farnborough’s military heritage lie not with aviation but with the arrival of the army in 1856 and the building of a new barrack complex in South Farnborough, called North Camp. The army’s presence was further expanded with the arrival of the Royal Engineers, at South Farnborough, followed by the formation of the Army Air Battalion, and then the army’s Royal Flying Corps. The Royal Flying Corps was eventually replaced by the creation at Farnborough of the Royal Air Force and the Royal Aircraft Establishment was set up. The Royal Engineers also established a camp in North Farnborough and during the war years Farnborough was home to many other units including troops from the Canadian Army. German prisoners of war were engaged in building housing in Farnborough, captured German scientists were brought here and interrogated about their knowledge of aviation and rocket development and captured German planes were flown and frequently crashed at Farnborough. The war years also saw many heroic stories and tragic events unfold as Farnborough was routinely attacked.Farnborough has a fantastic military heritage that includes hospitals, notable burials and a wealth of military buildings and structures as well as a fine and often overlooked collection of military monuments and memorials along with its association with many military personalities.This, then, is the real story of Farnborough’s military heritage.

Forged through centuries of armed struggle and foreign domination, aggressive invaders, oppressive monarchs, and rebellious citizens have repeatedly clashed to create Berkshire’s military heritage. A heritage stained with blood spilt during hard-fought sieges, vicious battles, terrible slaughters, and tragic accidents. The oldest remnants of Berkshire’s military heritage date to the Atrebates, an Iron Age people whose impressive hill forts once dominated the county’s skyline, and whose remains are visible today.Windsor Castle, a royal residence, embodies almost a thousand years of military action and is still one of the nation’s top ceremonial attractions. The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst formed on the site of the former Royal Military College is one of the world’s toughest and most revered military training academies in the world. Its graduates include the Sultan of Brunei, Sir Winston Churchill, fascist Sir Oswald Mosley, James Bond author Ian Fleming, sports personalities Fionidi Parker and Heather Stanning, singer James Blunt, Oscar-winning actor David Niven, and Princes William and Harry.Berkshire’s military forces include the Royal Berkshire Regiment’s ‘Biscuit Boys’, who have protected the county and nation at home and abroad since 1881; and the women of the Air Transport Auxiliary service, who were formed and operated out of the county during the Second World War.Military historian and battlefield guide, former soldier Dean Hollands writes passionately about Britain’s military heritage and this book will interest anyone keen to know more about Berkshire’s remarkable military history.

The making of Dorset’s military heritage has been a dramatic, brutal, and often turbulent affair. From the time of the Durotriges tribes and their spectacular Iron Age strongholds, to the more modern sea forts and blast-proof nuclear bunkers of the Cold War, Dorset’s landscape has been shaped by generations of defensive countermeasures.Successive and bloody invasions by Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Viking and Norman forces have paved the way for revolution, civil uprising, insurrection and rebellions that history defines as the Peasants’ Revolt, the Swing and Monmouth Rebellions, the rise of the Dorset Clubmen, the Anarchy and English Civil Wars.In Tudor times the ships of Elizabeth I’s navy dropped anchor in Dorset’s waters before engaging the Spanish Armada off Portland. Men of the local volunteers, militias, yeomanry, and Dorsetshire’s Regiment of Foot have fought bravely and with distinction at home and abroad, from the Peninsular War to South Africa, and through two world wars. The Royal Flying Corps and its successor the Royal Air Force played vital roles in defending the nation, and during the Second World War their presence proved invaluable in the planning and execution of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of northern France.Military historian, battlefield guide and former soldier Dean Hollands writes passionately about Britain’s military heritage and this book will interest anyone keen to know more about Dorset’s remarkable military history.

Portsmouth’s position on the south coast of England has meant it has been an important port for centuries, and the heavily fortified home of the Royal Navy. Industries surrounding the naval docks and shipbuilding led Portsmouth to become one of the most heavily industrialised areas in the country during the nineteenth century, and today this part of Hampshire is Britain’s most densely populated urban area.In Portsmouth Murders and Misdemeanours author Dean Hollands explores the history of serious crime in Portsmouth from medieval times to the twentieth century. He looks at how the punishments for crimes evolved, including the use of corporal and capital punishment and the sites of these grisly events. Tales include murder in many guises, crimes of passion, highwaymen, robbers and motor bandits, a conviction for witchcraft during the Second World War, arson and terrorism, and mutiny – most famously the trial of the crew of Captain Bligh’s Bounty, as well as the assassination of George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham, and the Bishop of Chichester.This collection of true life crime stories gives a vivid insight into life in historic Portsmouth. This book will fascinate anyone with an interest in the history of crime, as well as those who want to know more about the history of the city.

The county of Carmarthenshire has an impressive military history and heritage which stretches back into the Iron Age. Following Celtic settlement, this part of south-west Wales witnessed Roman occupation, Viking raids and Norman and English invasion. Remains of fortifications can be seen in Carmarthenshire from Iron Age hill forts and Roman forts to medieval castles and Civil War defences. The Second World War and the Cold War have also left relics. The military heritage also encompasses the county’s sons and daughters who have distinguished themselves militarily, its munitions factories (which were the largest in Wales) and the many memorials to conflicts.This book will be of interest to all those who would like to know more about Carmarthenshire’s remarkable military history.

The county of Pembrokeshire has a long military history and its heritage stretches back into the late Bronze Age. Even today ancient hillforts and coastal defences can be discerned in the landscape. Norman settlement in Pembrokeshire and Welsh resistance created monumental castles which are still prominent in the landscape, including Pembroke, Carew and Manorbier, and later the strategically important harbours on the coastline such as Milford Haven, Fishguard and Pembroke Dock were further fortified. During the First and Second World Wars, Pembrokeshire played an important role in the aerial war, with what became the world’s largest military flying boat station during the Battle for the Atlantic and numerous airfields inland, some continuing into the Cold War. With numerous memorials, a military cemetery and a roll call of gallant Pembrokeshire men and women through the centuries, this book will be of interest to all those who would like to know more about Pembrokeshire’s remarkable military history.

Hampshire’s position on the south coast of England has meant that it has played a key role in this country’s military history for centuries. Its military heritage is as diverse as any other county in Britain. In this book author Dean Hollands focuses on the significant people, places and events associated with the military history of Hampshire, from the early invaders and occupiers of Iron Age and Roman Britain to the present day. Iron Age hill forts on the chalk uplands of Hampshire can be seen, and the Roman fort at Portchester is the best preserved in northern Europe. These fortifications continued through the Norman Conquest, Henry VIII’s castles, Napoleonic era defences and into the two world wars. Southampton and Portsmouth experienced waves of invaders over the centuries, but were also the home of the Navy and the departure point for British military expeditions overseas, not least for D-Day in the Second World War. Aldershot is famous as the home of the British Army and Farnborough’s air show has demonstrated its importance as the centre of British military aviation research since the 1940s.Hampshire’s Military Heritage looks at the military history of this county on land, by air and at sea. All those wishing to know more about the military legacy of Hampshire will find this book fascinating.

Carmarthen, the county town of Carmarthenshire, is located on the River Towy, around 8 miles to the north of Carmarthen Bay. It is possibly the oldest town in Wales and as such has a long and fascinating history, from its castle, steeped in ancient legends, to the establishment and development of the modern town. Author Dean Hollands takes the reader on a fascinating journey from the mysterious Arthurian legends of the Dark Ages and the Black Death to those who bore a major influence on the political and social development of the town. Carmarthen has a memorial to Waterloo, a monument to Britain’s former empire, and the town centre is the site where the Bishop of St David’s was burned at the stake. Secret Carmarthen delves deep into the town’s medieval heritage and long-forgotten past, revealing secrets that even most residents don’t know about.

Maidstone, the county town of Kent, has a colourful history shaped by battles, royalty, revolts, witches, mad priests, industrialists, brewers and Victorian benefactors. Situated between Dover and London and located on the River Medway, the town on a main route for pilgrimages was once a bustling centre for local and national trade. Despite many changes throughout the centuries, the ambience of old Maidstone can still be experienced. Its history is unusual and intriguing and has everything from dinosaurs and megalithic structures to Cold War bunkers, Egyptian mummies, supernatural occurrences, tales of killer hail, gruesome executions and a prison that has seen many executions and riots and housed some of Britain’s most notorious villains.Secret Maidstone explores the lesser-known episodes and people in the history of the town through the centuries. With tales of remarkable characters, tucked-away buildings and unusual events, this fully illustrated book will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of Kent’s county town.