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Warrior: A True Story of Bravery and Betrayal in the Iraq War
Warrior is the powerful true story of a British soldier's heroism during the Iraq War that reveals how he was ruthlessly sacrificed by the Establishment. Captain Tam Henderson was adopted as a baby in Glasgow. His family moved to England and he grew up on a violent council estate in Birmingham. At 16, he chose to join the famous Black Watch regiment. In a career spanning 23 years, he rose through the ranks and was deployed to conflicts in Northern Ireland, the Balkans and the Middle East.During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Tam was in the thick of ferocious fighting and, amidst Basra's chaos, he set up camp for the 200 men of Charlie Company, who were put in charge of the city's most volatile districts. Having fought to recover the body of one of his men killed in action, Tam was horrified when the chain gun on his Warrior tank malfunctioned, suddenly firing of its own accord and seriously injuring a comrade. He was told to take the rap but refused, insisting that the dangerous fault on the gun needed fixing. He was convicted by a kangaroo court at Saddam's palace and sent home in disgrace. But Tam fought back and embarked upon the biggest battle of his life - against the Ministry of Defence and international arms companies.Pacy and starkly authentic, Warrior takes the reader on an exhilarating journey that is by turns horrific, humorous and poignantly reflective.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 19, 2019
Tam Henderson’s account of his army career which he was determined to serve in the Black Watch and deployment to Iraq in 2003 is a compelling account of a man who having fought with courage and dedication on the battlefield found himself battling the very institution that he joined.
From his introduction to army life, transfer to the Black Watch, tour of Northern Ireland and instructors course at Sandhurst Henderson tells a story of a man who’s professionalism would tested both on the battlefield and in a Military court
The accounts of the invasion of Iraq and the conflict faced by British soldiers in Basra in the post Saddam era are told with candour and matter of factness in which belies the reality that faced those on the ground. In a war which was portrayed as a video game and the first “TV War” Henderson tells the reader of how at times despite a lack of suitable equipment and backing from political and Military masters and a situation on the ground which moved from warfare to policing a burgeoning hostile population, it was the boots on the ground that got the job done.
Central to this story is the tragic consequences which he faced, personally and professionally when malfunctioning equipment led to one of his men being seriously injured and he being accused, despite his loyalty and professionalism of negligence.
When many would have accepted the offers of a plea bargain, Henderson stood firm in the face of the British Army, Ministry of Defence and Arms Manufacturers, at stake not only his personal and professional reputation, but as he sees it, his responsibility to ensure that every man and woman who joins the armed Forces receives the protection for which they sign away the rights and freedoms that the public take for granted.
The book is as much of story of the treatment of men and women who swear their lives to defend their country as it is about the unforgiving nature of warfare.
A fantastic read and a tribute to a man who “Nemo me impune lacessit”
From his introduction to army life, transfer to the Black Watch, tour of Northern Ireland and instructors course at Sandhurst Henderson tells a story of a man who’s professionalism would tested both on the battlefield and in a Military court
The accounts of the invasion of Iraq and the conflict faced by British soldiers in Basra in the post Saddam era are told with candour and matter of factness in which belies the reality that faced those on the ground. In a war which was portrayed as a video game and the first “TV War” Henderson tells the reader of how at times despite a lack of suitable equipment and backing from political and Military masters and a situation on the ground which moved from warfare to policing a burgeoning hostile population, it was the boots on the ground that got the job done.
Central to this story is the tragic consequences which he faced, personally and professionally when malfunctioning equipment led to one of his men being seriously injured and he being accused, despite his loyalty and professionalism of negligence.
When many would have accepted the offers of a plea bargain, Henderson stood firm in the face of the British Army, Ministry of Defence and Arms Manufacturers, at stake not only his personal and professional reputation, but as he sees it, his responsibility to ensure that every man and woman who joins the armed Forces receives the protection for which they sign away the rights and freedoms that the public take for granted.
The book is as much of story of the treatment of men and women who swear their lives to defend their country as it is about the unforgiving nature of warfare.
A fantastic read and a tribute to a man who “Nemo me impune lacessit”
February 14, 2013
Not my usual sort of book but a worthwhile read. I know nothing about the armed forces and war but have been aware of news items about lack of equipment etc. This is the tale of a career soldier and how the army treated him and his colleagues (is that the right term for soldiers?)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews