guns and bugles.
Welcome to the website to accompany my book, Guns and Bugles – The Story of the 6th Bn K.S.L.I – 181st Field Regiment R.A 1940 – 1946, Don Neal.
L/Bdr A. Smith, Gnr G. Neal
Published in November 2001, and launched at Shrewsbury Castle in December. The book is based on the exploits and War service of my father’s Regiment. It is the result of six years of research and includes both interviews with the men who were there and letters from other members, which have arrived from all parts of the UK, as well as a gallery of photos. The book has received an endorsement from the Regimental Museum in Shrewsbury.
Mr. Donald G. Neal’s chronicle of the World War II campaign service of the 6th Battalion The King’s
Preface by Major J.H.H Yorke M.B.E , B.A – Guns And Bugles The Story of the 6th Bn K.S.L.I – 181st Field Regiment R.A
Shropshire Light Infantry is the rewarding result of a great deal of meticulous research by it’s author,
inspired by his father’s war service in 6KSLI and 181 Field Regiment Royal Artillery.
This fascinating account of a battalion which, remarkably and most successfully converted from an
Infantry to a Field Artillery role in the middle of a major war, fills the last major gap in the 1939-45 archives
of the KSLI. The Regiment will long be indebted to the author for producing a book which is not only of
great historical interest but which also pays fitting tribute to the courage, steadfastness and loyalty of the
Shropshire Soldier in war
Since the end of the second World War there have been many changes to the military establishment, and
Foreword by Major A.D.G. Shaw. D.S.O. R.A. (retd.)
many famous and historic regiments have disappeared in all but name.
It is important therefore that their histories should be recorded as fully as possible and their names and
deeds be perpetuated. The 6th Bn. The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry suffered as in, that it never
completed its existence as such, it being converted to an Artillery unit. This is an excellent effort by Don
Neal some fifty odd years later to put together the story of the 6th Bn. and its successor the 181st Field
Regiment RA. His research over a period of six years, sifting through official records, endless pages of
documents, personal interviews and correspondence has produced a very coherent and moving record,
brought to life by a collection of excellent photographs. A fitting tribute to his father and the four hundred
plus men of Shropshire and the surrounding counties, who merged with three hundred or so Artillerymen
to produce a Field Regiment in the very best traditions of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. The 181st Field
Regiment was fortunate enough to be affiliated into the 15th Scottish Division where it found itself
amongst soldiers and Regiments of great tradition and pride in their own histories. This encouraged the
men of the 181st to rise to the highest possible level of achievement. It was also of great credit to the men
that they should be so readily accepted by the ‘jocks’ to such an extent that by the end of the war they
were not referred to as ‘gunners’ but as ‘our gunners’ such was the affection and esteem shown by the
men of the Scottish Infantry
Guns and Bugles 