Born into a family of soldiers, Tim Neely enlisted in the British Army at sixteen, fresh out of school. After enduring nine challenging months of infantry training at the Guards Depot Pirbright, he joined the ranks of the Irish Guards. Tim went on to complete two tours in South Armagh, a region infamously known as ‘Bandit Country’, where the Provisional IRA was responsible for the deaths of 165 members of the British security forces during the sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland, known as ‘The Troubles’. After several years with the Irish Guards, Tim transferred to the Royal Irish Regiment, where he found himself patrolling South Derry another fiercely Republican area with deep connections to the Provisional IRA. In his account, Tim offers an unflinching portrayal of life as a young soldier, with his characteristic honesty and self-deprecating humour. He provides a gripping, visceral narrative of his experiences in the British Army, revealing both the triumphs and trials of a professional soldier’s life. Woodentop: Her Majesty’s Foot Guards, Adventure Drinking, and Northern Ireland is a raw and unforgettable memoir that captures the culture, camaraderie, chaos, and danger of soldiering during the Troubles. Packed with previously unpublished personal reflections, vivid detail, and dark humour, it will appeal to readers of military history, memoir, and anyone curious about the realities behind the uniform.
