Glimpses of War
A compilation of military stories and eyewitness accounts to raise funds for Blind Veterans UK
Supporting Blind Veterans UK
How did Glimpses of War come about ?
BMMHS Launches Operation Bookworm during the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the first lockdown in early 2020, the British Modern Military History Society launched Operation Bookworm – a project aimed at collecting a series of articles covering people’s wartime experiences of the last 200 years – any war, any role both civilian and military. We felt this would help individuals be able to focus on something other than COVID-19, and by being able to take their minds off all of the terrible news around us, that this would in some small way “make a positive difference”.
With many of us having time on their hands during the wretched COVID19 pandemic, this was the ideal chance for our supporters, their friends and families to research and write about their own or their family members experiences – military or civilian during military conflicts. We also asked leading historians to contribute articles as well.
From all over the world, we have had some remarkable stories of great bravery and valour, while others have told how it was as civilians enduring hardships and fear we cannot imagine. A mixture of incredible stories of survival, and some of being witness to hugely significant historical events. Alongside these are tales of ordinary people ‘doing their bit’, some with great humour, others with great fortitude and some with great sadness, and often a mixture of all these.
We are still asking for more articles for volumes 2 and 3, please send them in to us.
Glimpses of War
We have had a fantastic response with over 120 contributors sending in over 220 articles and over 300,000 words. Various historians have also given their support providing their own articles and book extracts too. Some contributions have been a couple of paragraphs, others 3-4 pages. The range of topics has been remarkable from the diaries of an officer on the Western Front in WW1, to life as a Far East POW and others living through the Blitz in WW2 to experiences serving in the Falklands, Northern Ireland and Iraq. Articles have come in from across the globe including the USA, Australia, Poland, the Netherlands, France and elsewhere. There are some fantastic tales of heroism, sadness, people ‘doing their bit’, and some excellent pieces from historians too.
As a result these articles have now been published in a book called Glimpses of War.
Now available on Amazon, Glimpses of War volume 1 comprises over 500 pages with a range of personal memories, and historical pieces and photos covering people’s wartime and military experiences.
Proceeds are in aid of Blind Veterans UK (formerly St Dunstans). Volumes 2 and 3 are already planned.
Please send us your stories (and here is what we need..)
With the plan for future volumes of Glimpses of War we are still asking you to send in your stories – a bit of your own family history – it could be your own experiences, your Father or Mother’s, your sons, your grandads, an aunt or uncle.
Almost everyone has someone in the family with a tale to tell, and when you start asking or researching you will be surprised what you find out. From my family, we have an uncle who landed on Gold beach on D+1, a great uncle who served in the Royal Artillery in WW1 and is buried in Flanders, two aunts who were evacuees, and another uncle who landed at Gallipoli in 1915. Somewhere in your bookshelf, in a drawer or your loft you may well have the military records and papers and other memorabilia that would make an interesting story.
We only want a short article – from a couple of paragraphs to 3 pages ideally with some photos/documents – certainly not War and Peace or a lengthy, detailed history of a military career. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar etc – we can amend documents – but ultimately they will be your words. Of course, you may have something written or even published already, so send it across.
For all articles we would like your permission to publish then in all or part on our website, on Facebook and ultimately in the books.
If you would like to contribute to future volumes, email us on info@bmmhs.org
Thank you to all of you who have made this possible.
For all of you who have sent in contributions, a very big thank you. They have made for amazing reading, with some telling of great heroics, some of the grim realities of war, some of remarkable tales of survival and other of ordinary people just ‘doing their bit’. A real melange of tales giving a wide picture of wartime experiences.
A sincere thank you to you all.
The BMMHS Team
“BMMHS are to be congratulated on the timely publication of this first volume of Glimpses of War. It was a pleasure and privilege to be involved in this fascinating project, together with one of our former patients and to support the valuable work of Blind Veterans UK.”
Nicci Pugh
Former Senior Nursing Officer Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service served on board Her Majesty’s Hospital Ship Uganda throughout the Falklands War in 1982.
What you are saying about Operation Bookworm
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What was Operation Bookworm ?
Bookworm was launched as a project to help us through ‘the Great Isolation’ and lockdown during the COVID19 pandemic, whereby we wanted to produce and publish a book for charity from articles written by our members and associates.
"Helping us all through the Great Isolation"
How can I contribute and are there any restrictions?
Everyone can contribute. You will be surprised by how much military history there is in your family, whether it is from published papers or documents in your bookshelf, a drawer or a case in the loft.
In terms of content, there is no real restriction so long as we feel it would be interesting to others… for example it does not always have to be tales of military actions or bravery. For example, we have had offers of what it was like with rationing in WW2, what life was like as an evacuee, alongside people’s grandparents winning the Military Medal in WW1, or experiences in Vietnam, Bosnia, The Falklands, Iraq etc.
There is no real boundary on topic area so long as it is in a wartime or military context.
Are you supporting a charity with the book’s proceeds ?
Profits from the book will go to the charity, Blind Veterans UK, (formerly St. Dunstans) which supports veterans past and present who have lost their sight, totally or partially. The Patron is the Countess of Wessex.
What format will the book be ?
With such an amazing response we have decided to publish 3 volumes over time.
The book(s) will be ones that people will ‘dip into’ with a wide variety of interesting content.
The book(s) will comprise a wide range of articles on varied topics and anecdotes from serving on the Somme, to life as a modern day serving soldier or airman.
Articles can be a couple of paragraphs or a few pages, but not War and Peace or a lengthy detailed history, please.
The title for the book is ‘Glimpses of War’.
What is the content of the books and who do you expect to contribute?
The books comprise a range of different types of articles including articles from our members and their families about their own experiences in the military or as civilians during wartime. Ideally these should be complimented with images and documents.
We will continue to ask our speakers, military museums and authors and other associates from UK and abroad to continue to make short contributions too.
Will I get acknowledgement for any article I contribute?
Yes, you will get full acknowledgement for any contribution you make ? If this is an extract from a book or article you have written or are writing, this will be promoted too
Who will publish the book ?
Glimpses of War – Volume 1 is now available Amazon
What is the closing date for Submissions ?
With the move to produce 3 volumes of “Glimpses of War” we are asking you to continue to submit articles. Please send your articles in to us via info@bmmhs.org
Will you publish an audiobook ?
This is also currently work in progress and we are researching this through both our contacts in the industry and through the charity.
Image Rights and Permissions
We have to be sure that any permissions for the printing of pictures/documents are gained from the necessary body. Personal images are of course allowed providing you give us permission to publish them.
From our perspective, we do need your agreement (or that of your family) that we can publish your contributions in all or part.
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Contact us at info@bmmhs.org
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