I Bought a Star

by Thomas Firbank, Firbank Thomas

In this book Thomas Firbank describes his experiences of training and war in the years 1939 to 1945. He went from hill-farmer in Snowdonia (described in 'I bought a Mountain') to Lieutenant-Colonel in the Guards in four years. It begins in Spain from where he drives to London to help the war effort. His account of training in Scotland and North Africa is detailed and realistic, proving his extraordinary physical resourcefulness. He saw active service in Italy. Then, in September 1944, on the Netherland-German border, he descended by glider to Nijmegen. Firbank's rare first-hand account of this famous engagement is told with a wry humour and an engaging lack of melodrama.
The author was awarded the Military Cross and Bar.

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[London Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugely enjoyable book, witty turns of phrase and very descriptive. It's about joining up in 1939-40 and then joining the parachute regiment, fighting in Arnheim. Good escapism, I dipped into it most nights.

[Andy Farman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in hardback in the mid-70s, I recall the cover was just the title, author, and the Coldstream Star back then. It was loaned to me by the author's grandson who was a platoon commander in my battalion, 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards, the same regiment the author served in.
I particularly recall two accounts in particular, in training, a senior officer visiting them in the field and being upset that the sentry was out of sight under a bush instead of standing rigidly to attention in the open, and the second being of a long-range patrol in the desert where they encountered a steep-sided wadi with no way of driving their vehicles down and up the far side. He had been seriously considering the practicality of disassembling their vehicles and carrying the parts to the far side and reassembling them there when another patrol happened on them and told them of a crossing point, quite distant.
Thoroughly enjoyed it

[A J HOOPER · Rating 2 out of 5]

An early back to nature story about a would be farmer who actually does buy a mountain in the Snowdonia area. Loads of chapters about sheepdogs, sheep et al. It doesn't possess the same magic as a John Lewis-Stempel.