Publisher's Synopsis
At the beginning of World War II Stephen Simpson became an infantry soldier of the 5th Battalion Coldstream Guards. Steve recounts his journey from the Yorkshire mines to the frontlines of Europe. The 17 year old soldier's story is delivered with warmth and good humour, parallel to the horrendous events of war and fantastic insights into the major key campaigns of Operation Market Garden and Operation Goodwood.
Steve scrupulously saved the smallest of artefacts, to mark his life changing, life threatening, experience all of which are featured throughout his book, adding a valuable, visual insight into life as a soldier during the second world war and beyond. What he witnessed during the war sat in the shadows of his heart and mind as he became a loving and deeply respected friend, comrade, husband, father, and grandfather. On returning to England he never forgot his young friends who perished during the fighting. He marched every Remembrance Day knowing his fallen comrades would never see the future that their courage and lives had helped to build. Steve worked tirelessly all his life for the Coldstream Guards Association helping many ex-military feel connected and part of a community. He returned to France for many celebrations always visiting his friend's graves to pay his respects, one day finally making it back to Belgium to find the family he was billeted with during the fighting. 2664217 was the number assigned to him by the British Army but Steve was more than just a number and this is his story.
