The Quiet Gunner, reviews

A really fine memoir, 10/10 The Great War Magazine

(Also posted under ‘Royal Artillery’. It’s too good to miss.)

A new book, and an excellent one! Richmond Gorle, M.C., R.A. fought through North Africa and Sicily, and then in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, with 128 and 181 Field Regiments, R.A. He died in 1971, having written the manuscript for his family in 1958, and it has been edited by his son, Peter Gorle [who lives in Chiswick]. It’s published by Pen and Sword. Belville,
Irish war Memorials Trust

A fresh well written take on war at the sharp end of North Africa.
Military History Monthly

The Quiet Gunner at War is a delightfully fresh well written account of War at the sharp end of Africa, Sicily and North West Europe.
In a world where the ability to talk is more highly prized than ever, The Quiet Gunner is a reminder that the ability to do what needs to be done is so much more important. Richmond Gorle was one such man, quiet and unassuming but incredibly dedicated and courageous.

He describes the horrors of war and the bravery of himself and his comrades with the same humility and modesty he showed as a soldier and it is this which makes his moving and honest account so special.
DEKHO, Burma Star Association Magazine

What really sets this book apart is the detailed description of the mundane detail and some of the stark realities of modern warfare.
His accounts of the courage of fellow soldiers make this an engaging, at times humbling but truly memorable read.
Scottish Field

Richmond Gorle writes with modesty and humility, and the dangers that he and his comrades-in-arms faced are consistently understated.
Britain at War

Comments from readers.

1. I was given the book as a present and put off reading it as I expected it might be boring. Once I started reading, I could hardly put it down. J.H.

2. I read it from cover to cover with my heart in my mouth. Technical in its descriptions of how an army worked in those historic times…most enlightening; but above all, a personal story, told with humility and without a trace of sentimentality. Yet…’this is what it was all about’….his all-important and much-loved family. A truly special book which I will long remember (and re-read often). E.B.

3. …I found it greatly interesting and devoured it avidly. I also admired the very apposite quotations at the head of each chapter. R.E.

4. ` Richmond Gorle gives an excellent account of his experiences in North Africa, Italy and Belgium. Well written and easy to read. This was a present and coincidentally covers my own father’s wartime service which he would never speak about to me. Highly recommend. D.F.

5. I thoroughly enjoyed the read, finding it both entertaining and informative. I had not appreciated the close level of working between the infantry and the artillery personnel and now have a much greater understanding of the contribution of artillery to the winning of World War Two. Recently I read The Alanbrooke Diaries and reading The Quiet Gunner was like looking through a telescope from the other end ! Richmond Gorle comes across as a very modest, capable and compassionate man thrust into the torrent of conflict. The book showed a true picture of war and the unpredictable role of good fortune. HR

www.quietgunner.com