Adventures of a Cold-War Warrior!

This is a humorous – and at times, tongue-in-cheek – account of the author’s time in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, from soldier to ‘rock ape’ (RAF Regiment), with a stint as a ‘penguin’ (steward) tucked in between.
Covering the period from 1966 to 1976, when the Cold War was still in full swing, the book tells what went on behind the scenes that the recruiting posters and adverts would never show you. Prepare to laugh, smile, shake your head in disbelief at the strange and at times downright crazy goings-on, as the author and his pals jump from one crazy adventure to the next.
This is not a book for the faint-hearted or easily offended. These are real characters that the author met, though some of the names may have been changed, as they say in all the best films, ‘to protect the guilty’! When reading, the reader is experiencing for themselves what is happening along with the author.
To those who have never been in the forces and don’t know the mindset of the military mind and reasoning of one who serves his country, the characters in this book may come across as having a beer-drinking, girl-chasing, cavalier attitude. Not true – but when single and in our late teens/early twenties and a product of the times, we lived life to the full, not knowing if the Cold War would one day turn hot…

Up until joining the armed forces, the author of this book, John D. Rowbottom, had not had a spectacularly unusual upbringing.
His grandfather had fought during the World War I and received the Military Medal for bravery at the Battle of the Somme where he was temporarily blinded. Fortunately, he survived the war – otherwise John wouldn’t be here to tell of it.
John’s father was ex-military and was engaged through the World War II at one time as an R.A.F. policeman, with a spell in the newly formed R.A.F. Regiment.
Throughout John’s childhood, his brother Martin and he were subjected to their father’s and grandfather’s adventures and exploits during the wars on an almost daily basis.
So, it was probably inevitable that they joined the forces – first Martin, in the R.H.A. (Royal Horse Artillery), shortly followed by John himself into the R.C.T. (Royal Corps of Transport) at Houndstone Camp in Yeovil, Somerset. (The camp is now gone, replaced by the new Yeovil Town Football Club.)
In those days, all members of the R.C.T., regardless of job, had to be able to drive a Land Rover and 4-tonne truck. John passed through the military basic training on a high but when it came to driver training, the army’s philosophy was: if you can drive a 4-tonner and pass your test, then it is easy to drive a Land Rover. He was probably the only one on the course who had never been behind a steering wheel in his life, and the first time sitting high up in the cab looking down on all and sundry filled him with dread and fear! Thus, he was never able to pass the driving test (though he did a few years later) because the nerves got the better of him. So, he left after a year. But bitten by the military bug, just had to join up again, so he joined the R.A.F. on 19 September 1967, in which he served nine years – firstly as a steward and later to remuster to the R.A.F. Regiment.
His time up, he demobbed back to UK in August 1976. He was out about 2/3 years and had to do it all again but not full time now, but in the T.A. (Territorial Army), but that’s another story…
‘Come back, Capt. Mainwaring – all is forgiven!’

Customer Reviews

4.9

8 reviews

Matthew Martin

The Author states 'Real Friendship never dies' then goes ahead to prove it. I throughly enjoyed this book and found the bite size 'chapters' made reading it on the bus to and from work ideal. The Service Terms at the back of the book really helped.
John Skuse

Anyone out there PLEASE GET JOHN D ROWBOTTOM'S BOOK A COLD WAR WARRIOR, YOU ARE IN IT. YOU WONT REGRET IT
Phil Newman

I have just finished reading your excellent book, Really enjoyed it. Especially the part T.G.19 (Stewards trade group) which I served 69-90 Some of the experiences were the same as me well done!
Marilou Palma.

Excellent reading and found myself laughing-out-loud. Well written and hilariously funny. The funny side, is a cross or combination between the sitcoms, Dad’s Army, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum and ‘Allo ‘Allo. A compelling and downhearted account of the Author’s life in the Military Forces (RAF Regiment). Well done John Rowbottom.
Lydia Meniano

After reading John D Rowbottom's book 'The Adventures of a Cold War Warrior' it opened my eyes, and I now realise the reason Prince Edward failed to make the grade in the Royal Marines and what Prince Harry went through when he was in the Army.
Also when the Author visited Las Vegas, Disneyland, Universal Studios it reminded me of when I visited the U.S.A. with my dear friend, now no longer with us, how she was mesmerised by all she saw. It brought back many happy memories.
The book is well presented and laid out with lots of humour and funny stories, I can recommend it!
Jose and Lindsay Aventino.

The stories presented in the book of John D. Rowbottom are interesting, funny and well written.
REGINO ESCOBAL

EVERY STORY PRESENTED IN THIS BOOK WAS INTERESTING AND FUNNY!. APART FROM THAT, I HAVE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT HOW MILITARY LIFE WAS IN THE UK,IN EUROPE AND IN THE WHOLE WORLD DURING THOSE TIME (FROM 1966-1976). A LOT OF THE STORIES ARE VERY INFORMATIVE AND PRESENTED IN A UNIQUE WAY THAT IT TICKLES YOUR MIND AND LAUGH IN THE END. I MUST SAY THAT THIS BOOK IS EXCELLENTLY CREATED AND VERY ENTERTAINING. WITHOUT A DOUBT, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK NOT JUST TO A MILITARY PERSON BUT TO EVERYONE WHO LOVES TO READ VARIETY OF STORIES. A SNAPPY SALUTE AND CONGRATULATION TO THE AUTHOR, MR. JOHN D. ROWBOTTOM!!

REGINO ESCOBAL
AUSTRALIA
Jeffery Hurling

This is a quality thick book, well presented and designed, and good value for money. The short stories make it easy to read and enjoyable and well thought out.
…
it shows the difference between the military mindset and thinking compared to someone in 'civvy street' who has never served his country. It seemed as though the author had problems with adjusting to the civilian life after his de-mob, I can sympathise as I also went through the same with jealous- envious civilians. The book brought back many happy memories from the time I served. I can highly recommend this book to any ex-forces or others who have an interest in military matters!

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Customer Reviews

8 reviews

Matthew Martin

John Skuse

Phil Newman

Marilou Palma.

Lydia Meniano

Jose and Lindsay Aventino.

REGINO ESCOBAL

Jeffery Hurling

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