This is very much a campaign narrative, and a detailed one at that. It strives to record the actions of all British units involved and rightly restores the narrative of actions such as that of the Queen's Own Highlanders at Seria. This book does a considerable service to post–1945 British Army history in generating a detailed campaign narrative of an overlooked campaign, and restores to attention the role of key individuals.

Society of Friends of the National Army Museum

The author joined the intelligence corps in 1970 and over the next twenty years saw service in many countries.

The Bulletin

Written by one of J Battery’s former forward observation officers, Richard Mountford, it provides a vivid picture of operations.

The times

Researched in great detail.

Soldier Magazine

Britain's military history in the second half of the twentieth century is littered with "bush fire wars" from the heat of the desert to the humidity of the jungle. One of the lesser known conflicts is the Brunei insurrection of 1962-63. Evidence that little has been written of this campaign is demonstrated in the book's bibliography runs to only five sources, including one of the author's own. Lack of sources has not prevented Nick van der Bijl from producing a very good study of the conflict.

The early chapters helpfully set the scene during and after WW2 and the political context of the region and the war in Malaya. This is not a balanced book in that there are precious few first-hand accounts from the TNKU. So the story is told largely from the British perspective which is covered in great depth. Nick van der Bijl has done well to research the activities of the various units involved, right down to platoon level - who was where and when.

Brunei is perhaps best known for the Royal Marines' assault on Limbang and the author makes good use of personal accounts of the dawn attack. The assault cost the Marines five dead, their largest loss in a single day between Korea and the Falklands. Four local personnel also lost their lives at Limbang. Other units are not ignored, and the roles of the Green Jackets and Queen's Own Highlanders feature prominently.

Anyone wanting to know what is behind the clasp "Brunei" on a Naval (for the Marines and Royal Navy) or General Service Medal should read this book. It is an essential companion to the DVD "Return to Limbang" which is also worth purchasing.

Peter Weedon