By Lord Ashcroft
First published in The Sunday Times Magazine on 16 September 2018.
During their childhoods, they were typically adventurous and boisterous boys: they loved making model aircraft, sailing toy boats, hunting for crabs in seaside pools and swimming off remote beaches. (more…)
By lordashcroft.com
Lord Ashcroft’s new book – White Flag? An Examination of the UK’s Defence Capability – will be published on October 2 and can be pre-ordered now.
The book, co-written with political journalist Isabel Oakeshott and published by Biteback Publishing, will examine the state of the UK’s armed forces after years of cuts. It will assess whether they are ready to deal with coming threats and the possibility that this country may be drawn into military conflict which is not at a time and place of our choosing. It will also explore the politics of defence. (more…)
By lordashcroft.com
Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC has had his latest “hero of the month” article published in Britain at War, the country’s best-selling military history monthly magazine.
The September issue of the magazine has a three-page write-up on the life and bravery of Company Quartermaster-Sergeant Alexander Brereton, who was born in Manitoba, Canada, in November 1892. (more…)
By Lord Ashcroft
First published in the Daily Express on 17 August 2018.
He was a soldiers’ soldier who represents all that I most admire about the Victoria Cross (VC), Britain and the Commonwealth’s most prestigious gallantry award for courage in the face of the enemy. (more…)
By lordashcroft.com
Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC has had his latest “hero of the month” article published in Britain at War, the country’s best-selling military history monthly magazine.
The August issue of the magazine has a two-page write-up on the life and bravery of Sergeant Henry Dalziel VC. Dalziel was born in North Queensland, Australia, and he enlisted in into the Australian Imperial Force in 1915, aged 21. (more…)
By lordashcroft.com
Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC has had his latest “hero of the month” article published in Britain at War, the country’s best-selling military history monthly magazine.
The July issue of the magazine has a two-page write-up on the life and bravery of Temporary Second Lieutenant John Scott Youll VC. Youll was born in the mining village of Thornley, County Durham. Known throughout his life as “Jack”, he left school at 15 and became an apprentice electrician at Thornley Colliery. (more…)
By Lord Ashcroft
First published in Britain at War in June 2018.
Brigadier Manley Angell James VC, DSO, MBE, MC: leadership
Manley Angell James was born in Odiham, Hampshire, on 12 July 1896. He was the son of Dr John James and his wife Emily. After leaving Bristol Grammar School aged eighteen, he had intended to follow his father into the medical profession. However, after the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914, he was commissioned on 1 December as a temporary second lieutenant to the 8th Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment. (more…)
By lordashcroft.com
Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC has had his latest “hero of the month” article published in Britain at War, the country’s best-selling military history monthly magazine.
The June issue of the magazine has a two-page write-up on the life and bravery of Brigadier Manley Angell James, who was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for outstanding bravery during the Great War. (more…)
By Lord Ashcroft
First published in the Daily Express on 16 May 2018
LIKE so many schoolboys of my generation I was captivated when I watched The Dam Busters shortly after the film came out in 1955. There was so much to enjoy. Not least the charismatic Richard Todd playing Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the commanding officer of 617 Squadron, and the distinguished Michael Redgrave’s brilliant portrayal of Barnes Wallis, the aeronautical engineer who devised the “bouncing bomb”. (more…)
By Lord Ashcroft
First published on 15 May 2018 on ConservativeHome.com
I have announced today that, after nearly six years in the role, I am stepping down as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Veterans’ Transition.
It has been a privilege to serve under the last two Conservative Party leaders as I worked with all stakeholders to ensure military personnel receive the support they need when making the transition to civilian life. (more…)