EndEx

by Clive Ward

It’s over. Your clearance chit is all signed off. You’ve received your last train warrant, they’ve taken your ID card off you at the guard room, and you walk out through the gate for the last time, it’s Endex. It doesn’t matter how many years you served in the military, it will always have a lasting effect on the way you live the rest of your life. Marine, soldier, sailor or airman, whichever you may be, there are some qualities and experiences that most, if not all veterans, share. There are 3 types of people, Civilian, Military and Veteran. Once you join the military, you can never go back to being a civilian again. When you’ve left the military, you might think you are doing a great job trying to blend in to your civilian surroundings, but the signs are there, that you once served your country, sometimes without you even realising it. What you will realise is you’ll never be normal again.

Genres: Military Fiction

98 pages, Paperback

Published June 29, 2017

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This short book was recommended to me by a friend (also ex services) and having read the description I thought that I was in for a treat. Looking at the current star ratings it would appear that I'm going to be in the minority with this review. Whilst it did evoke a few memories from my time in HMF it was not exactly the side splitter I had anticipated. To clarify, I'm not saying that it wasn't good, it just didn't "float my boat" and, as always, I can only say how it was for me.

[K R POOLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello all stations 3 This is 3 pronto speaking ENDED OUT.

What a great read full of memories and good laughs. I must admit I'd forgotten the parrot on BFradio in Germany hell he was annoying. At 70 I still miss those days mine were OP Banner . Would I do it all again ........of course I would.
Thanks Clive from a proud VET.

[David Uebel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uggg

Typical Ward.....semi-coherent nonsense poorly written. Mildly amusing at times and thankfully short....
However, it doesn’t make much of what he says untrue...outrageously exaggerated perhaps, but not untrue.

[Andrew Wain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brought things back I thought were long forgotten.

Truthful, honest, and funny, just like a veteran!

Hits the nail squarely on the head. Let's you know it's not just you grumbling about civvies.

[David Asher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being ex military and now a veteran I could totally relate to the stories and humour from the author. Memories came flooding back, some good, some bad, would have loved it too have been a longer read.

[Peter Laws · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endex

Brought back loads of good and bad memories.
The banter between army friends and the other services. I've been out for 40 plus years and do every thing the author mentions, my wife and civy friends just roll their eyes look away.

[Andrew Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

MEMORIES

I served from 82 - 97 and remember, especially the 'Parrot' and resemble a lot of what was written. A short but good read for any veteran. Some 'Civies' might understand it!

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was leaving the RAF in January 1987, all passes, ID card, equipment handed in, Married Quarter marched out. I found this absolutely hilarious, I was familiar with most of the tales and references. Pretty much any veteran from any of the Services would chuckle at this.

[Mr A G Swallow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Absolutely brilliant book. Brought back so many great memories and didn't stop smiling from start to finish. Couldn't put it down at all great read

[william carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent

A bit disjointed but still an enjoyable read with some humorous anecdotes a small insight into military life and trying to adjust to civilian life

[CA Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veteran 's must read

Absolutely brilliant had me getting flash backs and laughing my head then trying to explain to my new partner whats so funny.

[Carol Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book

Had me in fits of laughter. Bought memories of my time in the Army till now as a civvy.
Great reading

[M J Woodgate · Rating 5 out of 5]

had me laughing from start to finish

well worth a read, it brought back a lot of fond memorys and had me laughing from page one. cant wait to start the next one

[Tobias · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. A book of squaddie humour, somewhere between Viz and Soldier magazine. Mildly chuckle worthy in places, but don't go out of your way to get it.

[David Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rib ticklingly true

We never considered ourselves as different to others, but civvies just don't understand, life shouldn't be taken seriously, it's not permanent,

[john parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laughed through tears whilst reading this.

Laughed out loud through tears whilst reading this. Not cool as i was sat at a table on my own, in a truck stop.

[jamie maddever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memory

Good memories might be different decade but the service life never changes good laugh and found myself agreeing and laughing to myself ,

[Paul Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny and brought back a lot of memories but really should have been proof-read first - sorry, Clive!

[MR JT COLE · Rating 4 out of 5]

One small ‘snark’

The occasional use of ‘Americanisms’ such as ‘buddy’ but on the whole a good read.
Though different Regts had different standards of humour, leaving turds lying around wouldn’t have been thought funny in 1RRF.
Having said that, as a miner post Army, most Colliery’s wouldn’t have found this funny either, but one Colliery (Whittle) had a very ‘lavatorial’ sense of humour.....mebbes they had a history of Welsh ‘blackleg’ miners?😁

[gerald morson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

Enjoyed it no end thank God I'm a veteran not a civilian ,be board to death of I was on of themb