Thomas Firbank was originally from Canada. This is his autobiography from 1939 to 1946, published in 1951. It is fascinating and humorous. He returned from holiday in France in 1939 and joined a Guards regiment, then did some commando training, before joining a fledgling parachute unit. From the UK he went to North Africa, then Italy, where he was on active service. After Italy he went back to the UK and was selected to be a staff officer. His HQ travelled by glider as part of the Market Garden operation in September 1944. He was not a regular soldier but nevertheless reached the rank of Lt Col. His reflections and assessments are what makes this book stand out.