"...this personal experience of war is emotional, harrowing and funny, a definite must-read."

Classic Military Vehicle Magazine

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South Shropshire Journal

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Mid Wales Journal

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Shropshire Star

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Market Drayton Advertiser

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Bridgenorth Journal

Article: 'Tale of how railway worker Tom answered call to arms'

Newport Advertiser

Article: 'Tale of how railway worker became an airborne warrior'

Express and Star (City Final, Wolverhampton)

Article: 'Tale of how railway worker became an airborne warrior'

Shropshire Star

Wounded and taken prisoner at Arnhem, Hicks spent the remainder of the war at a German lead mine; an exhausting and dangerous job, and certainly one of the least appealing places to which a POW could be sent to work. Here his narrative changes from a recollection of events years later to quoting verbatim from the almost daily diary which he kept almost from the moment of his capture until his arrival back in the UK in April 1945.

Read the full review here

Pegasus Archive

This is a fascinating memoir giving a fresh picture of life in the Parachute Regiment.

History of War

A very personal account of life on the railways and in Britain's 1st Airborne Division. Worth reading.

The Eagle - Journal of the Parachute Regimental Asscoiation

Recommended to anybody with an interest in military history, airborne operations or just an appetite for a great story.

Soldier Magazine

The memoirs of the battle of Arnhem of Sapper Tom Hicks, who served in the 1st Parachute Squadron, are brought to life in a memoir written by his son Norman. The memoir, based on personal diaries and taped recollections, paints a dramatic picture of what it was like for thousands of young men who took part in the ill-fated attempt to capture the bridge across the River Rhine in 1944.

Cannock & Rugeley Chronicle

You’d have thought from the title that this book was mainly about Operation Market Garden and its aftermath, however it is far more than that. This is the biography of Tom Hicks written by his son Norman.  And very well written it is too.

The book flows very well, is well explained throughout, I must admit whilst my knowledge of the military railway system was scant but has been improved by this book. The descriptions of Tom’s time in North Africa and Sicily give a good insight into the way the Sappers were deployed within the 1St Parachute Brigade and one can contrast it against the manner in which Operation Market Garden developed.

A fascinating book telling the story of an unassuming individual who had an interesting wartime experience and has been lucky enough to have a son who has written it all down.  The book is well illustrated with photos and maps throughout as well as a section of photos in the middle.  There are plenty of footnotes, including some poignant ones describing the fate of many of Tom’s companions.  There is also included as the final appendix, a Roll Of Honour of 1st Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers.

www.arrse.co.uk

A fascinating story and an example of a person triumphing in the face of adversity through his sense of humour, keen eye, motivation and pride.

Discover Your History

Captured at Arnhem by Norman Hicks is the story of Tom Hicks by his eldest son, on his war years and how he went from the railways to be a paratrooper and back again to working on the railways. It is always great to see that the stories of our old soldiers are being recorded so that in generations to come their story will live on long after we have all departed this mortal coil.

This is an honest soldier’s account of his life and like many men of his age understated and just took it in their stride. Like many Tom Hicks did not come home to a great fanfare but now this book is his fanfare and it has been an honour and privilege to share in his story.

Paul Digget

The compelling tale of a soldier who was captured in Germany has been revealed in a new book written by his son, Norman Hicks, of Kinver. [Norman] provides insightful commentary as he tells the story of an ordinary soldier, motivated by pride in his unit to triumph in the face of adversity.

Stourbridge News