Mark Forsdike
@markforsdike.bsky.social
“A dedicated historian of his long-gone local regiment”
Author of ‘Fighting Through to Hitler’s Germany’, ‘A Battalion in Burma’ and ‘The Malayan Emergency: The Crucial Years.’
markforsdike.com
Author of ‘Fighting Through to Hitler’s Germany’, ‘A Battalion in Burma’ and ‘The Malayan Emergency: The Crucial Years.’
markforsdike.com
Reposted by Mark Forsdike
This Friday Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945 is out. The greatest combined arms manoeuvre battle you’ve never heard of.
Available from Chiselbury.co.uk Amazon Waterstones WHSmith or anywhere else you can order books.
#ww2 #history #author #writer #tanks #india #burma #myanmar #historian #greatest
Available from Chiselbury.co.uk Amazon Waterstones WHSmith or anywhere else you can order books.
#ww2 #history #author #writer #tanks #india #burma #myanmar #historian #greatest
June 25, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Absolutely wonderful to see Ken Wright looking fit and well here at the youthful age of 102.
Ken served with 15 Platoon, ‘C’ Company of 1st Suffolk Regiment and is now the only known Suffolk Regiment D-Day veteran.
📸 Alan Hamer, via Rochdale Borough Council
Ken served with 15 Platoon, ‘C’ Company of 1st Suffolk Regiment and is now the only known Suffolk Regiment D-Day veteran.
📸 Alan Hamer, via Rochdale Borough Council
May 8, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Absolutely wonderful to see Ken Wright looking fit and well here at the youthful age of 102.
Ken served with 15 Platoon, ‘C’ Company of 1st Suffolk Regiment and is now the only known Suffolk Regiment D-Day veteran.
📸 Alan Hamer, via Rochdale Borough Council
Ken served with 15 Platoon, ‘C’ Company of 1st Suffolk Regiment and is now the only known Suffolk Regiment D-Day veteran.
📸 Alan Hamer, via Rochdale Borough Council
“My own darling Joan, I wish so much that I could be with you tonight, but I guess I’m always wishing that my love, but the news that the war with Germany is over makes it a special night and we could be having such a wonderful time if only we could be together…”
May 8, 2025 at 7:12 PM
“My own darling Joan, I wish so much that I could be with you tonight, but I guess I’m always wishing that my love, but the news that the war with Germany is over makes it a special night and we could be having such a wonderful time if only we could be together…”
Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 14, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Happy Valentine’s Day!
One for @alliedarmour.bsky.social Cracking post-war recruitment poster featuring an Archer. Currently for sale on eBay (but a bit pricy for me 🙁)
February 3, 2025 at 12:10 PM
One for @alliedarmour.bsky.social Cracking post-war recruitment poster featuring an Archer. Currently for sale on eBay (but a bit pricy for me 🙁)
It’s remarkable what you find when you are least expecting it! Film of a Churchill tank commander from 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps. The unit started life as the 7th Bn. Suffolk Regiment and wore a Suffolk cap badge throughout its service.
January 26, 2025 at 9:08 PM
It’s remarkable what you find when you are least expecting it! Film of a Churchill tank commander from 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps. The unit started life as the 7th Bn. Suffolk Regiment and wore a Suffolk cap badge throughout its service.
Sad to hear we have lost another Suffolk Regiment soldier.
Brian Dilley left us just before Christmas. A really lovely man he served in Malaya 1950-52. A stalwart of the Hemel Branch of the Old Comrades Association, he will be greatly missed.
Our National Servicemen are leaving us rapidly now.
Brian Dilley left us just before Christmas. A really lovely man he served in Malaya 1950-52. A stalwart of the Hemel Branch of the Old Comrades Association, he will be greatly missed.
Our National Servicemen are leaving us rapidly now.
December 30, 2024 at 9:24 PM
Sad to hear we have lost another Suffolk Regiment soldier.
Brian Dilley left us just before Christmas. A really lovely man he served in Malaya 1950-52. A stalwart of the Hemel Branch of the Old Comrades Association, he will be greatly missed.
Our National Servicemen are leaving us rapidly now.
Brian Dilley left us just before Christmas. A really lovely man he served in Malaya 1950-52. A stalwart of the Hemel Branch of the Old Comrades Association, he will be greatly missed.
Our National Servicemen are leaving us rapidly now.
We said farewell to Len today. One of the last true giants of the Suffolk Regiment world who wrote the first real volume on their service in Malaya (1949-53). A really lovely man, I shall always feel privileged that he shared some of his vast knowledge on the Malayan Emergency with me. Farewell Chum
December 16, 2024 at 7:23 PM
We said farewell to Len today. One of the last true giants of the Suffolk Regiment world who wrote the first real volume on their service in Malaya (1949-53). A really lovely man, I shall always feel privileged that he shared some of his vast knowledge on the Malayan Emergency with me. Farewell Chum
80 years ago, the photograph that I use for my profile picture was taken in a cold muddy field at Geijsteren in Holland.
The subject is Corporal Don ‘Spitter’ Mowle who had enlisted into the Suffolk Regiment in 1935. He’d already served with 2nd Bn in Burma, then with 1st Bn in NW Europe…..(1/2)
The subject is Corporal Don ‘Spitter’ Mowle who had enlisted into the Suffolk Regiment in 1935. He’d already served with 2nd Bn in Burma, then with 1st Bn in NW Europe…..(1/2)
December 4, 2024 at 12:58 PM
80 years ago, the photograph that I use for my profile picture was taken in a cold muddy field at Geijsteren in Holland.
The subject is Corporal Don ‘Spitter’ Mowle who had enlisted into the Suffolk Regiment in 1935. He’d already served with 2nd Bn in Burma, then with 1st Bn in NW Europe…..(1/2)
The subject is Corporal Don ‘Spitter’ Mowle who had enlisted into the Suffolk Regiment in 1935. He’d already served with 2nd Bn in Burma, then with 1st Bn in NW Europe…..(1/2)
Reposted by Mark Forsdike
This just was passed onto me of my Pa #jonpertwee taken in the Sergeant’s mess during the Korean War. I know very little of papa serving there other than he stole a tank. Alcohol may have been involved.
Thanks to Mark Howard for sharing this. His father is the fine moustached Denis Howard pictured.
Thanks to Mark Howard for sharing this. His father is the fine moustached Denis Howard pictured.
December 3, 2024 at 12:17 PM
This just was passed onto me of my Pa #jonpertwee taken in the Sergeant’s mess during the Korean War. I know very little of papa serving there other than he stole a tank. Alcohol may have been involved.
Thanks to Mark Howard for sharing this. His father is the fine moustached Denis Howard pictured.
Thanks to Mark Howard for sharing this. His father is the fine moustached Denis Howard pictured.
Sad to hear that Len Spicer has left us. He served with the Suffolk Regiment in Malaya, 1950-52 and had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Regiment’s service there. A really lovely man, he was an enormous help to me when I wrote my book on the Malayan Emergency. I shall miss him greatly.
December 1, 2024 at 8:18 PM
Sad to hear that Len Spicer has left us. He served with the Suffolk Regiment in Malaya, 1950-52 and had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Regiment’s service there. A really lovely man, he was an enormous help to me when I wrote my book on the Malayan Emergency. I shall miss him greatly.
Sad to hear that Vauxhall Motors will be closing their Luton plant in 2025. Famous for producing the Churchill tank during WW2, it seems appropriate to post a photo of the model they presented to the Suffolk Regiment in recognition of its being one of first Regiments to use the Churchill in action.
November 27, 2024 at 9:54 AM
Sad to hear that Vauxhall Motors will be closing their Luton plant in 2025. Famous for producing the Churchill tank during WW2, it seems appropriate to post a photo of the model they presented to the Suffolk Regiment in recognition of its being one of first Regiments to use the Churchill in action.
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Timothy West. I only had the privilege to meet him briefly as a platoon member in the remaking of ‘Dad’s Army: The Lost Episodes’ but he was always polite, professional and very funny. A real gentleman.
November 13, 2024 at 12:38 PM
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Timothy West. I only had the privilege to meet him briefly as a platoon member in the remaking of ‘Dad’s Army: The Lost Episodes’ but he was always polite, professional and very funny. A real gentleman.
As the history world looks to have migrated here en masse, I thought I would say hello and introduce myself.
I write about the history of the Suffolk Regiment (1685-1959). Two books published so far on their WW2 service (NW Europe and Burma) and another on their post-war service in…..
I write about the history of the Suffolk Regiment (1685-1959). Two books published so far on their WW2 service (NW Europe and Burma) and another on their post-war service in…..
November 11, 2024 at 10:35 AM
As the history world looks to have migrated here en masse, I thought I would say hello and introduce myself.
I write about the history of the Suffolk Regiment (1685-1959). Two books published so far on their WW2 service (NW Europe and Burma) and another on their post-war service in…..
I write about the history of the Suffolk Regiment (1685-1959). Two books published so far on their WW2 service (NW Europe and Burma) and another on their post-war service in…..
Question for @alliedarmour.bsky.social
Do you know how long the Suffolk Yeomanry retained their Archer’s after the war? This photo has cropped up online taken at Lowestoft in (I am guessing) 1949-52, showing 358 Battery (as they were then designated) with an Archer. Any help gratefully appreciated!
Do you know how long the Suffolk Yeomanry retained their Archer’s after the war? This photo has cropped up online taken at Lowestoft in (I am guessing) 1949-52, showing 358 Battery (as they were then designated) with an Archer. Any help gratefully appreciated!
March 11, 2024 at 3:19 PM
Question for @alliedarmour.bsky.social
Do you know how long the Suffolk Yeomanry retained their Archer’s after the war? This photo has cropped up online taken at Lowestoft in (I am guessing) 1949-52, showing 358 Battery (as they were then designated) with an Archer. Any help gratefully appreciated!
Do you know how long the Suffolk Yeomanry retained their Archer’s after the war? This photo has cropped up online taken at Lowestoft in (I am guessing) 1949-52, showing 358 Battery (as they were then designated) with an Archer. Any help gratefully appreciated!
Tune in folks, this will be good!
On Saturday, February 17th I will be discussing the Archer with Brad St Croix of @otdmilhistory.bsky.social. The talk will take place at 7pm GMT (2pm EST). I hope you will join us!
I would also appreciate greatly if you could share this with others.
youtu.be/Hj3wgiQt_r0
I would also appreciate greatly if you could share this with others.
youtu.be/Hj3wgiQt_r0
Rearwards into Action: Self-Propelled 17-Pounder Archer with Christopher Camfield
Join me as I welcome to Christopher Camfield to the channel to discuss his book Self-Propelled 17-Pounder – Archer Rearwards into Action. Link to buy the book: https://www.trackpadpublishing.com/archer
youtu.be
February 17, 2024 at 1:13 PM
Tune in folks, this will be good!
I’m very pleased to reveal the front cover for my forthcoming book on the Suffolk Regiment’s part in the Burma Campaign, 1943-44.
A companion volume to my first book on their counterparts who fought in Europe, it will be published in May by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
#HistoryBookChat
A companion volume to my first book on their counterparts who fought in Europe, it will be published in May by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
#HistoryBookChat
February 16, 2024 at 10:51 AM
I’m very pleased to reveal the front cover for my forthcoming book on the Suffolk Regiment’s part in the Burma Campaign, 1943-44.
A companion volume to my first book on their counterparts who fought in Europe, it will be published in May by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
#HistoryBookChat
A companion volume to my first book on their counterparts who fought in Europe, it will be published in May by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
#HistoryBookChat
@alliedarmour.bsky.social - it’s just arrived and it looks great - Well Done!
February 12, 2024 at 7:39 AM
@alliedarmour.bsky.social - it’s just arrived and it looks great - Well Done!
Saddened to hear of the passing of Suffolk Regiment veteran, Cecil Deller - one of the very last survivors who fought in NW Europe, 1944-45. When I took him back to Holland he couldn’t believe the reception he received: “I don’t know what all the fuss is about” he said.
Farewell old chum.
Farewell old chum.
December 27, 2023 at 5:29 PM
Saddened to hear of the passing of Suffolk Regiment veteran, Cecil Deller - one of the very last survivors who fought in NW Europe, 1944-45. When I took him back to Holland he couldn’t believe the reception he received: “I don’t know what all the fuss is about” he said.
Farewell old chum.
Farewell old chum.
Hello to you all!
I have now made it through to the new position okay and I’m hoping to find all my chums from our old position here in due course.
Please follow me for interesting snippets of Suffolk Regiment history and updates on my books on its campaigns.
Thanks👍
I have now made it through to the new position okay and I’m hoping to find all my chums from our old position here in due course.
Please follow me for interesting snippets of Suffolk Regiment history and updates on my books on its campaigns.
Thanks👍
October 23, 2023 at 8:20 AM
Hello to you all!
I have now made it through to the new position okay and I’m hoping to find all my chums from our old position here in due course.
Please follow me for interesting snippets of Suffolk Regiment history and updates on my books on its campaigns.
Thanks👍
I have now made it through to the new position okay and I’m hoping to find all my chums from our old position here in due course.
Please follow me for interesting snippets of Suffolk Regiment history and updates on my books on its campaigns.
Thanks👍