Mattocks Military Books

We have just purchased Tom Morgan’s remaining book stock as our starting point and we aim to maintain the high standard of customer service that Tom set.

We are a mail-order business specialising in the sale of books on the subject of the Great War.

The Books

All books are new and offered for sale at reduced prices compared to publisher's prices.

Pictures and details of the books on sale can be found in the appropriate categories. The choice of category is subjective so please look at them all.

Featured Book

MEET AT DAWN, UNARMED – Captain Robert Hamilton’s account of Trench Warfare and the Christmas Truce of 1914 by Andrew Hamilton and Alan Reed. An eye witness account of Trench Warfare and the Christmas Truce in 1914. On August 5th 1914, Robert Hamilton left his young family behind in Devon to start a momentous six month journey through France and Belgium with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Captain Robert Hamilton's original diary has been reproduced, word for word, along with an informative commentary by Robert’s grandson, Andrew Hamilton and Great War enthusiast Alan Reed. Paperback book, 208 pages including 113 photos and 10 maps and sketches. Published Price £16.99 – OUR PRICE £14.99

The following review was written by Chris Baker and is shown on the Long, Long Trail website:

The flow of publication of memoirs, diaries and letters of the Great War period seems unending - but here is one that stands out not only for the content but for a tremendously high standard of production. "Meet at dawn, unarmed" is based on the diaries and letters of Robert Caradoc Hamilton, who served with the Norfolk Regiment during the Boer War and was mobilised from the Special Reserve of Officers for service with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in August 1914.

Hamilton's tale of his time on the Western Front was short, for he returned to England in January 1915. During these few months, however, he experienced near-surrender by his commanding officer in the retreat and a good deal of fighting in the area of Meteren and Ploegsteert Wood during First Ypres. He is a fellow officer of, among others, Bruce Bairnsfather and Bernard Montgomery. In April 1915 he was made commandant of the Military Detention Barracks at Hereford, which from mid 1916 held conscientious objectors. This part of the diary is much shortened with only key points being picked out.
The highlight of the book, chosen by the authors as its central theme, is the involvement of Hamilton and the 1st Warwicks in the extraordinary unofficial truce at Christmas 1914. This is a genuine addition to our understanding of these events.

It is the treatment of the story that makes this book stand out. Illustrations, many being Bairnsfather cartoons that relate directly to incidents mentioned in the diary, together with clear maps, make the story vivid and understandable. There is useful, idiots-guide coverage of British army structures, the regiment and the early events of the war. Drawing too upon official records, postcards and "then and now" photographs, it makes for easy and highly entertaining reading. The book is beautiful from a graphical viewpoint, having been laid out professionally with an eye to design.

Contact details and ordering

ORDERING
By Phone: 01904 786 022.
You can get through at any time, preferably between 1800 and 2000 Monday to Friday. At other times please leave a name and number and we will call you back soon as we can.

By Post: Mattocks Military Books
8 Malvern Avenue, Acomb, York, YO26 5SG

Please write all instructions clearly.

By Email: You may email us at mattocks.militarybooks@ntlworld.com

PAYMENT
By Credit or debit card via PayPal.
Cheques, Postal Orders etc: We can accept payment by cheques etc. Please do not send a cheque with order as availability of books and amount of postage to be paid will determine what you owe.

Overseas Customers: We can only accept payment by credit card.

POSTAGE
Books will usually be posted as First Class packets or as standard parcels, depending on the size and weight of the order. Costs will be kept to a minimum by using recycled packaging material whenever possible. The cost of postage will be agreed before payment is taken for the order.

Website last updated - 3 July 2009