{"title":"Stephen Mcgreal","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"cheshire-bantams-the-15th-16th-17th-battalions-of-the-cheshire-regiment-book-stephen-mcgreal-9781844153879","title":"Cheshire Bantams, The: 15th, 16th, 17th Battalions of the Cheshire Regiment","description":"Raised in Birkenhead in 1914 the Bantams were unique as the average height of the volunteers was a mere five foot!  Previously denied the opportunity to serve, these men seized this chance to join up.  As a result the battalions comprised working class men from all over Britain: Welsh miners, sturdy London dockers, Lancashire mill workers and Merseyside labourers. As part of 35th (Bantam) Division, the Bantams fought on the Somme.  The Bantams' casualties were so severe that by early 1917 the Division effectively ceased to exist.  Thereafter reinforcements came from the General Pool.  They suffered heavily again at Houlthust Forest.  The 35th Division played a key part in stopping the German 1918 offensive.  Some 900 members of these Battalions lost their lives in The Great War.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49503849677073,"sku":"GOR013616100","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49536381190417,"sku":"GOR008343728","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ WELL_READ \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51197197779217,"sku":"GOR014196570","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1844153878.jpg?v=1751060160"},{"product_id":"zeebrugge-and-ostend-raids-book-stephen-mcgreal-9781844156085","title":"Zeebrugge and Ostend Raids","description":"The unrestricted U-Boat war threatened the very survival of Britain, whose reliance on imported food and war materials was her Achilles' Heel.  A significant element of the German submarine fleet operated from the occupied Belgian ports of Zeebrugge and Ostend. After careful planning the Royal Navy launched audacious attacks on these two ports on St Georges' Day 1918.  Five obsolete cruisers and two Mersey ferries supported by a flotilla of smaller vessels penetrated the near impregnable defences, while Royal Marines and naval storming parties battle ashore in a diversionary attack.  At the time of the action the concrete filled block ships were scuttled in the ports' approaches. Despite being a costly and bloody affair for the participants, the survivors returned to acclaim.  The raids gave a fillip to the national morale, at a time of depressing news from the Front.  To underline the success of the affair no less than 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49546734666001,"sku":"GOR002704694","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1844156087.jpg?v=1751154874"},{"product_id":"wirral-in-the-great-war-book-stephen-mcgreal-9781783032938","title":"Wirral in the Great War","description":"On 4 August 1914 Britain declared war on Germany. Originally perceived as a short campaign to curtail Germanic imperialism, it developed into a four-year long war of attrition. The Great War is justifiably associated with the horrors of trench warfare and the death of a generation but history has overlooked the home fronts' colossal contribution to victory. On the outbreak of war thousands of troops arrived in Wirral to defend the coast from invasion and guard the docks and shipyards under the watchful eyes of the gunners of the Bidston Hill artillery batteries. The transition to a military garrison also led to the conversion of schools to military hospitals, predominately financed by the community. Thousands of wounded service men arriving at Woodside station were dispersed and administered to by a plethora of military or auxiliary hospitals. Voluntary organizations also procured funds for ambulances and comforts for those at the front. At the beginning of hostilities, the Government swiftly introduced draconian regulations to restrict liberty, particularly for those of foreign extraction. Following the 1915 sinking of the Lusitania, the xenophobia vented itself in Wallasey and Birkenhead where riots resulted in the destruction of German owned business premises. The resentment was further fueled by the German submarines attempt to destroy the British merchant fleet and starve Britain into submission - they almost succeeded. As vital cargoes plunged to the sea bed, food became the latest rationed commodity; consequently unused tracts of Wirral land were turned over to food production and German prisoners of war helped clear the river Birkett. The local shipyards and factories came under the control of the Ministry of Munitions and unlikely companies were involved in the national preoccupation of producing artillery shells. Following the 1916 introduction of compulsory military service, female workers increasingly replaced the men thereby making undreamed of advances in female emancipation. Also involved in the war effort were school children who collected food for wounded soldiers, boy scouts patrolled the coastline, 'sister Susie famously sewed shirts for soldiers' and a Dad's Army was established to repel invaders. Their activities and others are generally overlooked by twentieth century chroniclers. This is the fascinating, but forgotten story of how Wirral provided the sinews for war, and made a significant contribution to the comprehensive defeat of Germany.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49556641054993,"sku":"GOR007737647","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ WELL_READ \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49592670257425,"sku":"GOR013716053","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53491181781265,"sku":"GOR014945061","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1783032936.jpg?v=1751433063"},{"product_id":"liverpool-in-the-great-war-book-stephen-mcgreal-9781473821613","title":"Liverpool in the Great War","description":"At the dawn of the twentieth century Liverpool had eight miles of docks thronged with cargo ships loading or discharging cargoes. The city prospered through its maritime trade, and this led to the Cunard Line and other illustrious transatlantic passenger carriers making Liverpool their home port. As the storm clouds of war gathered, few would perceive the conflagration would change the political and social make-up of Britain including the emancipation of women.  When Britain declared war on Germany in the summer of 1914, Liverpool's geographical position demanded it be one of the chief home bases of wartime operations. It was a challenge the city accepted with relish and went on to become one of the most significant home front contributors to the Allied victory.  Justifiably, the city cenotaph proudly declares 'out of the north parts came a great company and a mighty army,' but there is a forgotten army of patriotic civilians whose endeavours played a key role in the Allied victory. Despite an acute shortage of skilled labour, Liverpool led the way in the construction of munition factories and developed the required skills to 'feed the guns.' Initially men who were too old for military service produced shells, a local factory became the first in the country to introduce women shell makers, this initiative was replicated throughout the nation. As the men made the transition from street to trench, Liverpool and district developed into a vast arsenal employing approximately 30,000 women and producing a million shells monthly. Civilians were also actively involved in tending the wounded, fund-raising for hospital equipment and ambulances and the provision of home comforts for those at the front. When the German submarine onslaught almost severed Britain's maritime trade routes food rationing was introduced. Damaged ships limped into Liverpool where their precious cargoes were salvaged and large swathes of Liverpool were ploughed up as the nation 'dug for victory.' The city was also a portal through which thousands of American troops passed; they stayed briefly at Springfield Park Rest Camp before entraining south. Liverpool opened the first hospital in the United Kingdom for the treatment of American servicemen. Another first occurred on Independence Day 1918, when the first post-revolution march past of American troops took place on British soil.  This is the fascinating but largely forgotten story of how Liverpool provided the sinews of war.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49572001677585,"sku":"GOR010946283","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49607982547217,"sku":"GOR006908698","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53385349988625,"sku":"GOR010135669","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1473821614.jpg?v=1751306280"},{"product_id":"wigan-in-the-great-war-book-stephen-mcgreal-9781473834781","title":"Wigan in the Great War","description":"On 4 August 1914, Britain declared war on Germany. Originally perceived as a short campaign to curtail Germanic imperialism, it developed into a catastrophic four-year-long war of attrition. The First World War is justifiably associated with the horrors of trench warfare and the death of a generation, but history has overlooked the Home Front's colossal contribution to victory.  Shortly after the declaration of war, Lord Kitchener appealed for recruits for a new citizen's army. Within four months 4,360 men from Wigan alone responded to the call, and by September 1914, the districts 5th Manchester Territorial Battalion were in Egypt. Everyday life altered immeasurably after the men left for war, those too old for military service worked in munitions factories, joined a Dad's Army or 'dug for victory'. The conflagration changed the political and social make up of Britain, allowing most women to escape a life of drudgery by filling occupations vacated by army recruits.The furtherance of the war effort involved every civilian from school age upwards in fundraising for hospital equipment and groceries, ambulances and the provision of a diverse range of home comforts for those at the Front. Compiled predominately from contemporary newspaper and first-hand accounts, this is the first book to deal specifically with the contribution to victory made by the townspeople of Wigan and the nearby district.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49604579098897,"sku":"GOR012191846","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51470644216081,"sku":"GOR011939799","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1473834783.jpg?v=1751426954"},{"product_id":"cheshire-bantams-15th-16th-and-17th-battalions-of-the-cheshire-regiment-book-stephen-mcgreal-9781844155248","title":"Cheshire Bantams: 15th, 16th and 17th Battalions of the Cheshire Regiment","description":"Raised in Birkenhead in 1914 the Bantams were unique as the average height of the volunteers was a mere five foot!  Previously denied the opportunity to serve, these men seized this chance to join up.  As a result the battalions comprised working class men from all over Britain ' Welsh miners, sturdy London dockers, Lancashire mill workers and Merseyside labourers. As part of 35th (Bantam) Division, the Bantams fought on the Somme.  The Bantams' casualties were so severe that by early 1917 the Division effectively ceased to exist.  Thereafter reinforcements came from the General Pool.  They suffered heavily again at Houlthust Forest.  The 35th Division played a key part in stopping the German 1918 offensive.  Some 900 members of these Battalions lost their lives in The Great War.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49630277370129,"sku":"GOR002028374","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52537400885521,"sku":"GOR014551442","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53356772393233,"sku":"GOR012995889","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1844155242.jpg?v=1751313421"},{"product_id":"boesinghe-book-stephen-mcgreal-9781848840461","title":"Boesinghe","description":"In the aftermath of the War the war-ravaged countryside was restored and the trenches of the Western Front were filled in.  75 years after the War a group of Belgians, known as the Diggers, excavated a classic trench system at Boesinghe, discovering many artefacts as well as remains of the Fallen.  One section has been preserved.Boesinghe is a canal village and the opposing sides continually bombarded each other across the wide Yser canal.  In the opening phases of the Second battle of Ypres, the Germans used gas here.,  Despite this the British flank held.  Late in the summer of 1917 the Allies launched the Third battle of Ypres and the Guards Division spearheaded the crossing of the canal.  They attained their planned objectives but at great cost.  The many military cemeteries in the area are poignant reminders of the cost of war even in what some regarded as a 'quiet' sector.Stephen McGreal  is a Wirral man who has worked in the ship yards and as a merchant seaman.  He now runs his own business making and restoring rocking horses.  He has three published works: The Cheshire Bantams, The Zeebrugge and Ostend Raids 1918, and War on the Hospital Ships, all with Pen and Sword.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49733336531217,"sku":"NGR9781848840461","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49930547134737,"sku":"GOR013817551","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50400647119121,"sku":"CIN1848840462G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50500128637201,"sku":"GOR004151468","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50955776262417,"sku":"GOR014144479","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1848840462.jpg?v=1750803206"},{"product_id":"war-on-hospital-ships-the-1914-1918-book-stephen-mcgreal-9781844158584","title":"War on Hospital Ships, The: 1914-1918","description":"It is often said 'The first casualty of war is the truth' and there is no better example of this than the furore caused by the claims and counter-claims of the British and German Governments at the height of the First World War.  Wounded allied personnel were invariably repatriated by hospital ships, which ran the gauntlet of mined waters and gambled on the humanity of the U- Boat commanders.  For, contrary to the terms of the Geneva Convention, on occasions Germany had sunk the unarmed hospital ships under the pretence they carried reinforcement troops and ammunition.  The press seized on these examples of 'Hun Barbarity', especially the drowning of non-combatant female nurses.  The crisis heightened following the German Government's 1 February 1917 introduction of unrestricted naval warfare. The white painted allied hospital ships emblazoned with huge red crosses now became in German eyes legitimate targets for the U-Boats. As the war on the almost 100 strong fleet of hospital ships intensified the British threatened reprisals against Germany, in particular an Anglo-French bombing raid upon a German town. Undeterred the Germans stepped up their campaign sinking two hospital ships in swift succession.  Seven hospital ships struck mines and a further eight were torpedoed.  Faced with such a massacre of the innocents Britain decided her hospital ships, painted and brightly lit in accordance with the Geneva Convention, could no longer rely on this immunity.  The vessels were repainted in drab colours, defensively armed and sailed as ambulance transports among protected convoys.  Germany had successfully banished hospital ships from the high seas.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49755610022161,"sku":"GOR006098009","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50392779292945,"sku":"CIN1844158586VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50400883376401,"sku":"CIN1844158586G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50475523735825,"sku":"GOR009228047","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1844158586.jpg?v=1750866195"},{"product_id":"moreton-and-district-patriots-1914-1919-book-stephen-mcgreal-9781901231151","title":"Moreton and District Patriots, 1914-1919","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49911357767953,"sku":"GOR006250368","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1901231151.jpg?v=1751250307"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/collections\/author-books-by-stephen-mcgreal.oembed","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}