Shaw, Tony: SAS South Georgia Boating Club

Many aspire to serve in the Special Air Service, arguably the most renowned regiment in the world, but few achieve their goal. In these inspiring memoirs, the author describes how he left school without qualifications and embarked on a 30-year career, most of which he spent in Hereford, including four years in the Regiment. Against all odds, he rose through the ranks before being commissioned as an officer and eventually retiring with the rank of major. He initially served as a radio operator with 22 SAS, then volunteered for Selection, the toughest and most demanding test, and passed. He was transferred to D Squadron Boat Troop, with whom he served in the Falklands War, Northern Ireland and the British anti-terrorist team. Thanks to the diary he kept during the Falklands War, the reader is treated to a thrilling first-hand account of the intense operations he and his colleagues experienced, including reconnaissance missions, diversionary attacks, raids and ambushes in both South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. He later commanded the Royal Signals Troop supporting D Squadron, 22 SAS, before entering the civil service and later pursuing a second career as a security consultant in various crisis areas in the Middle East.