Historian reveals tale of mayhem

From the archive, first published Thursday 27th Oct 2005.

GAZETTE & HERALD: Military historian Richard Lambert-Stiles is celebrating the launch of his new book about the Cyprus emergency.

Mr Lambert-Stiles, from Pewsham, Chippenham, is a business account manager for HP Foods Ltd ­ but his passion is military history and he has spent ten years researching his book, entitled Mayhem In the Mediterranean: A Chronicle of the Cyprus Emergency 1955-60.

The volume, published by Savannah Publications, which specialises in military history, will be launched at a ceremony at Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre at the end of November.

Mr Lambert-Stiles, who started researching military history while an officer cadet at Sandhurst, said his interest in the topic had carried on growing.

"At Sandhurst I had access to a library and military records. I carried on when I was a commissioned officer in my spare time," he said.

His first book was called The Story of the India General Service Medal and was published by Imperial Press in 1992.

The new book has lots of previously unpublished material about the Cyprus Emergency, including references to many local people who were involved.

The author is hoping the book will prove of interest to veterans and their families, as well as students of military history.

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