What do you think?
Rate this book
A Young Gunner's Story: One soldier's experience in the Artillery during the Cold War
"A humorous memoir depicting the trials and tribulations of a gunner serving in the Royal Army during the Cold War, the voices of which are often hidden . . . this is a real and bold view of Artillery life during the seventies and eighties" - Joseph Cartwright (Ex-Army writer and journalist)
When Mark Spencer began training for a career in the Royal Artillery he had no idea how much a life in the British Army would cost him.
Having served several years as a gunner, he has experienced love, laughter, friendship, and loss on the front-line.
This is his story.
When Mark Spencer began training for a career in the Royal Artillery he had no idea how much a life in the British Army would cost him.
Having served several years as a gunner, he has experienced love, laughter, friendship, and loss on the front-line.
This is his story.
103 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2019
3 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Mark Spencer
228 books80 followersIn addition to his new novel, An Untimely Frost, Mark Spencer is the author of the novels Ghost Walking, Love and Reruns in Adams County, The Weary Motel, A Haunted Love Story, and The Masked Demon, as well as the short-story collections Wedlock and Trespassers and a history book, Images of America: Monticello.
His work has received the Faulkner Society Faulkner Award, the Omaha Prize for the Novel, The Bradshaw Book Award, the St. Andrews Press Short Fiction Prize, and four Special Mentions in Pushcart Prize. Over 100 of his novellas, short stories, and articles have appeared in a wide variety of national and international literary magazines.
Mark is the Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, as well as Professor of Creative Writing in the MFA program there.
He and his family live in the famously haunted Allen House, the setting of his books A Haunted Love Story and Ghost Walking, as well as the basis for five TV shows and a forthcoming feature film, The Perfect Host: A Southern Gothic Tale.
His work has received the Faulkner Society Faulkner Award, the Omaha Prize for the Novel, The Bradshaw Book Award, the St. Andrews Press Short Fiction Prize, and four Special Mentions in Pushcart Prize. Over 100 of his novellas, short stories, and articles have appeared in a wide variety of national and international literary magazines.
Mark is the Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, as well as Professor of Creative Writing in the MFA program there.
He and his family live in the famously haunted Allen House, the setting of his books A Haunted Love Story and Ghost Walking, as well as the basis for five TV shows and a forthcoming feature film, The Perfect Host: A Southern Gothic Tale.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 2, 2019
4 Stars
A Young Gunner’s Story: One Soldiers Experience in the Artillery During the Cold War by Mark Spencer is the memoir of the author’s time in the army during the early 1980’s. It is interesting and insightful- with plenty of funny anecdotes, comradery, banter, practical jokes and friendly rivalry, friendship, pain, shocks, loss, lots of details of military life, army terminology & slang, and much more.
Mark Spencer always dreamed of joining the military, following in his father’s footsteps by becoming a soldier. He joined up as soon as he was able, and was excited to begin this new chapter of his life. We are taken through the process from leaving home, to finally getting to the base. From haircuts to physical training and finding his ‘feet’ through the whole process- the recruits are then given their exams and placed in trades. He became ‘field gunner’- which is what he wanted. To be the one firing the weapons and making all the ‘noise’. We then follow him to West Germany, where he is posted. There are many interesting stories to come from his time there and I laughed at some of the antics they got up to, playing jokes on each other and the allied forces. It isn’t all fun and games though, and Mr. Spencer shares some of the more ‘shocking’ events too.
The photos which accompany the story gives it added interest, and gives us small ‘windows’ into his army life. The book and its account, is only a small part of Mark Spencer’s story- and he hints of more to come in the future. I will have to keep my eye out for further work/s from him.
The stories and memories shared in this book are told as if sitting having a coffee (or beer) with the author. There is no pomp and ceremony- just an open and honest account of what he went through. All the ups, and downs which came with being a “young gunner” in a foreign country. I enjoyed this book, it was a very quick and easy read. Although it could do with a little more editing, to really give it more 'polish'- as there were some minor issues that pulled me out of the story when I came across them. Things like spelling mistakes or wrong words, eg: thou instead of though; to instead of too; punch instead of punched. But there weren’t too many, and they didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.
If you like military memoirs, non-fiction, insightful details, and humorous anecdotes- then this is definitely worth a read!
Thank you, Mark Spencer!
A Young Gunner’s Story: One Soldiers Experience in the Artillery During the Cold War by Mark Spencer is the memoir of the author’s time in the army during the early 1980’s. It is interesting and insightful- with plenty of funny anecdotes, comradery, banter, practical jokes and friendly rivalry, friendship, pain, shocks, loss, lots of details of military life, army terminology & slang, and much more.
Mark Spencer always dreamed of joining the military, following in his father’s footsteps by becoming a soldier. He joined up as soon as he was able, and was excited to begin this new chapter of his life. We are taken through the process from leaving home, to finally getting to the base. From haircuts to physical training and finding his ‘feet’ through the whole process- the recruits are then given their exams and placed in trades. He became ‘field gunner’- which is what he wanted. To be the one firing the weapons and making all the ‘noise’. We then follow him to West Germany, where he is posted. There are many interesting stories to come from his time there and I laughed at some of the antics they got up to, playing jokes on each other and the allied forces. It isn’t all fun and games though, and Mr. Spencer shares some of the more ‘shocking’ events too.
The photos which accompany the story gives it added interest, and gives us small ‘windows’ into his army life. The book and its account, is only a small part of Mark Spencer’s story- and he hints of more to come in the future. I will have to keep my eye out for further work/s from him.
The stories and memories shared in this book are told as if sitting having a coffee (or beer) with the author. There is no pomp and ceremony- just an open and honest account of what he went through. All the ups, and downs which came with being a “young gunner” in a foreign country. I enjoyed this book, it was a very quick and easy read. Although it could do with a little more editing, to really give it more 'polish'- as there were some minor issues that pulled me out of the story when I came across them. Things like spelling mistakes or wrong words, eg: thou instead of though; to instead of too; punch instead of punched. But there weren’t too many, and they didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.
If you like military memoirs, non-fiction, insightful details, and humorous anecdotes- then this is definitely worth a read!
Thank you, Mark Spencer!
December 1, 2019
This starts with young Mark setting off to join The Royal Artillery.
It tells his tale through basic training, learning how to polish books, make beds, lots of PT and training too, at the hands of the loud Sergeant to NATO exercises..
There’s a lot of humour and shocks like peeing on an electric fence!!!!!!!ouch.
There are some photos too which really adds to the story.
This is just the beginning of his life as a young gunner in the Royal Artillery in the 80’s. It’s an interesting inside look at the life of a new recruit and a very engaging read.
Thank you to Caroline Vincent and CazVin Books for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
It tells his tale through basic training, learning how to polish books, make beds, lots of PT and training too, at the hands of the loud Sergeant to NATO exercises..
There’s a lot of humour and shocks like peeing on an electric fence!!!!!!!ouch.
There are some photos too which really adds to the story.
This is just the beginning of his life as a young gunner in the Royal Artillery in the 80’s. It’s an interesting inside look at the life of a new recruit and a very engaging read.
Thank you to Caroline Vincent and CazVin Books for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
March 16, 2022
This book had potential but the read was spoiled by so many spelling mistakes and grammatical errors it made it hard to read at times. If only the draft had been proof read and corrected it would have made an interesting read. Hopefully though there will be a next chapter to his story.
January 3, 2020
A Young Gunner’s Story is a fantastically written novel. I really enjoyed the look into Mark’s life in the Royal Artillary. It’s a raw and real look into a recruits life and I really enjoyed learning about it.
I like the bits of humor mixed in with the shocks. It kept the pace moving. This was a quick and powerful read and I think Mark’s goal of sharing the truths and dispelling the myths depicted in TV shows was well done.
I recommend checking this one out. An entertaining story that I’m glad I had the opportunity to read!
*Book received from Bits About Books. All opinions are my own.*
I like the bits of humor mixed in with the shocks. It kept the pace moving. This was a quick and powerful read and I think Mark’s goal of sharing the truths and dispelling the myths depicted in TV shows was well done.
I recommend checking this one out. An entertaining story that I’m glad I had the opportunity to read!
*Book received from Bits About Books. All opinions are my own.*
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews