Woodentop

Born into a family of soldiers, Tim Neely enlisted in the British Army at just sixteen, fresh out of school. After enduring nine gruelling months of infantry training at the Guards Depot in Pirbright, he earned his place in the ranks of the Irish Guards.

Tim went on to complete two tours in South Armagh, a region infamously known as “Bandit Country”, where the Provisional IRA was responsible for the deaths of 165 members of the British security forces during the sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland known as “The Troubles”.

After several years with the Irish Guards, Tim transferred to the Royal Irish Regiment, where he found himself patrolling South Derry—another fiercely republican stronghold with deep-rooted connections to the Provisional IRA.

In this account, Tim delivers an unflinching portrayal of life as a young soldier, told with characteristic honesty and self-deprecating humour. He presents a gripping, visceral narrative of his time in the British Army, revealing both the triumphs and the hardships of professional soldiering.

Woodentop: Her Majesty’s Foot Guards, Adventure Drinking, and Northern Ireland is a raw and unforgettable memoir that captures the culture, camaraderie, chaos, and constant danger of serving during the Troubles. Packed with previously unpublished reflections, vivid detail, and dark humour, it will resonate with readers of military history and memoir alike, as well as anyone curious about the realities behind the uniform.