Residents publish book about their Falklands War experiences

Yorkshire residents have released a book which gives an insider’s view into the experiences of the crew who sailed in the North Sea Ferry during The Falklands War.  

Michael Wood, a former Para-trained Royal Signals soldier of 22 years and burgeoning author, wrote MV Norland: Secret Weapon of the Falklands War with Reg Kemp, a former night steward on The Norland. The story is told through the eyes of Reg and gives a riveting account of the adventures of The Norland’s crew members.    

Michael and Reg are both residents at John Gray Court housing scheme in Willerby and discovered each other’s backgrounds during communal events held at the scheme. 

Michael’s younger brother Grahame was deployed to the Falklands where he was a Senior Barman on SS Canberra. Michael always wanted to tell his brother’s story, but they worked in different parts of the world and sadly Grahame died before he had the chance. 

As Michael and Reg became friends, Michael learned that Reg had deployed to the Falklands on The Norland and that he had an amazing story to tell. Indeed, The Norland’s exploits are equal, if not more, to anything that SS Canberra did during the same campaign.  

Alyssah Kelsey, Manager of John Gray Court said:

It’s wonderful to see Michael and Reg’s work in print! Everyone is thrilled for them and I’m so pleased that their paths crossed thanks to the communal events we hold.

Residents across our housing and care home locations are encouraged to get involved in activities, events, and other initiatives that support physical and mental wellbeing. The organisation strives to create communities where residents can interact with each other and are supported in doing the things they enjoy.   

Michael has been able to concentrate on writing fulltime since the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and for over a year, took notes and interviewed crew members who were on The Norland.  

Commandeered by the MOD as part of Ships Taken Up From Trade (STUFT), The Norland played a major part of the South Atlantic Task Force. It was considered first in and last out from the war and the adventures of the men and women on the crew, together with testimony of the battles by members of two and three Para, makes for gripping reading. 

Michael said:

For many who deployed in the Task Force, their time down south was 100 days, for The Norland it was 10 long months. The resulting book tells of their excitement, fear, intrigue, humour, heartache, and elation.  

Always in the thick of the action, MV Norland was in fact the first ship into San Carlos Water ending up a sitting duck in ‘Bomb Alley’ air raids while disembarking troops and carrying out resupply runs. Narrowly escaping sinking, the ship was used as a shelter for Royal Navy survivors and for collecting the Gurkhas from QE2 in South Georgia, before repatriating Argentine POWs. Long after the surrender, it provided a ferry service between the Falklands and Ascension Island. 

With the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, the authors are optimistic that the book and this incredible story will receive widespread interest.  

Reg said:

I never thought I would ever have my experiences ending up in print. To see the finished book is a thrill. I’m equally thrilled that the opportunity to do so came my way through Michael and that the true story of The Norland has at last been told. I was just one of 93 crew on board and the book is dedicated to my crew mates and the British Armed Forces.

Michael continued:

The book is a classic tale of ordinary people thrown into extraordinary circumstances and how they coped. Readers will be gripped wondering how they would have coped in the same situation. It has a poignant last chapter which looks at the aftermath of the war and the ‘laying of ghosts to rest’, not just by those at the sharp end of the fighting but also some members of the crew for whom the war has stayed long in the memory.

The book has a foreword by the senior naval officer on board, Commander Chris Esplin Jones, and an afterword by Major Chris Keeble of two Para, who took over command from the ill-fated Lieutenant Colonel Jones at Goose Green. 

Reg summed up the part he played when he said:

You don’t just have to fire a gun to fight for your country.

Michael concluded:

It’s also a very entertaining read, which may sound a strange thing to say of a book about war, but the relationship forged between the crew and the troops shines like a beacon through some of the darker times. In the end, what also wins through is that great British trait of humour.

MV Norland: Secret Weapon of the Falklands War (published by The History Press) is now available at Waterstones, Amazon, Kindle and other outlets. 

For more information on John Gray Court please click here.