For Love of Regiment: A History of British Infantry 1660-1914

For Love of Regiment #1

by Charles Messenger

Charles Messenger gives brief but lucid accounts not only of the part played by the infantry in the two major wars of this century but also in the very considerable number of 'side-shows' in which they have been involved, particularly in the post-1945 era.
The book, however, is not concerned merely with the fighting; it also deals in some detail with the living conditions of the infantry soldier - his clothing, his food, his accommodation and, not least, the weaponry with which he is supplied by his superiors in order to carry out his job.
Inevitably it includes the depressing details of the various amalgamations and disbandments which have taken place in the last few years, particularly those deemed necessary by the end of the Cold War. The reader is left in no doubt that the breaking up of a regimental family is a tragic event for all concerned and there can be no doubt that the regimental system has served the British nation magnificently for over 300 years. Paradoxically, however, the bewildering succession of mergers and changes of name does not seem to have affected the efficiency or cheerfulness of the British infantryman one bit. He remains, as he has been for so long, the pride of his country and the envy of all others.

Genres: History, Military Fiction, British Literature

260 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Charles Rynd Milles Messenger was a British Army officer and writer. He served for many years in the Royal Tank Regiment (19 years as a Regular, 13 years as a Territorial) before becoming a military historian and defense analyst after his retirement from active service. In addition to having published more than forty books during his long career, he also carried out several historical analyses for the Ministry Of Defence and was a writer and/or adviser for several TV documentary series.