Highlight:
I was interested in the City Imperial Volunteers (CIV), where a total of 1,260 served in South Africa drawn from 47 different units having been deemed fit for overseas service. As for the CIV, the South African campaign in 1900 was a harsh environment, shortages of food and extremes of heat and cold. Not to mention long periods of nothing happening, never quite knowing when it was to be broken by heavy artillery action.

Loopholes; Journal for the Pillbox Study Group

"It is a most enjoyable and enlightening book, with a decent index and a good bibliography. Highly recommended."

Hexham Local History Society (Hexham Historian) Newsletter - Autumn 21

This is a topical read, and a fascinating examination of the military and social history of ‘Volunteer Armies’ and their employment around the
western world.

Royal Anglian News, May-June 2021

Review by Jason Hubbard

...this book is well worth grabbing, as I did nd it an interesting read, and there’s lots of scope for the war gamer to pull out some great background informa- tion for creating amateur units as well possible scenarios to replay such as Fishguard. This will appeal to many military historians out there and most would not be disappointed if they found this wrapped up under the Christmas tree.

Irregular magazine, issue 14 Volume 2/Winter 2020

Amateur Armies are a phenomenon I have never ever considered needing further information on, but Stephen Cullen's superb book has changed all that, with considerable research and fascinating facts.

Books Monthly

This is an interesting insight into the creation and role of militia and ‘home defence’ units and how they became relevant and important to various conflicts. Maps would have been useful in delivering a better and complete understanding of some of the actions used as examples.

Michael McCarthy. Battlefield Guide

Michael McCarthy