Somerset's Military Heritage

The serene and tranquil countryside of Somerset has a rich military history that stretches back many centuries with numerous buildings and other structures still standing proud today. Somerset’s Military Heritage explores the long military history of the county, not only the battles that took place on its soil and the measures that were taken to defend it against possible attack but also the heritage of the military units that were raised in the county and which were sent to fight in conflicts abroad soil and noteworthy military figures like Admiral Sir Robert Blake. The Battle of Sedgemoor fought between the Royal Army of King James II and the rebel army of Duke of Monmouth was the last major battle fought on English soil and the Somerset Light Infantry fought in many of the bloodiest conflicts of the First World War. The role and locations of the military structures in the county are examined, from the remains of hill forts built during the Iron Age, to castles constructed in the aftermath of the Norman conquest of England in the eleventh century. In the Second World War defences were built as part of the Taunton Stop Line, alongside secret research stations, huge ordinance factories, airfields and decoy towns and a range of locations used as a base for troops preparing for D-Day. Today, Somerset is home to the Royal Marines and RNAS Yeovilton.The book is organised into geographical sections, based on the districts of Somerset, and each of these chapters would contain a map to show the reader exactly where the key points of interest are. The majority of photographs show the locations now, so the reader can explore what can still be seen today. This book will be of interest to all those who would like to know more about Somerset’s remarkable military history.