PENAL COMPANY ON THE FALKLANDS – PHILIP NEAME IN CONVERSATION WITH ROBERT FOX

CHAIRED BY SAVILIAN DAVID OLDROYD-BOLT

On 1 April 1982 the Argentinian junta invaded the Falkland Islands, while the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment was on leave. Recalled to barracks, it joined the hastily assembled task force to recover the Islands. No parachutes – instead a journey of 8000 miles on a North Sea ferry to deliver the battalion into battle. Philip Neame commanded D Company, one of the battalion’s three 100-strong rifle companies, and in his compelling book he tells their story.

2 PARA was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel ‘H’ Jones, who was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross at the Battle of Goose Green. After winning the first major land battle on the Falklands, 2 PARA were the only battalion to fight two, going on to fight at Wireless Ridge, the final gateway to Port Stanley. There, D Company played the decisive role, but, in the closing moments, suffered a deadly artillery barrage – from their own guns.

D Company was the Cinderella of 2 PARA, at the back for everything: on training, always in reserve; in barracks, the parking lot for those who proved too troublesome for A and B. It was nicknamed ‘Penal Company’.

This authentic and honest portrayal, alive with humanity and humour, of British soldiers at war explores the realities of war – the tightrope between success and disaster, comedy and tragedy; the strength of companionship and the solitude of fear. Above all, it is a tribute to a band of brothers who, taking their nickname as a badge of honour, fought, cursed and laughed together, to win through on those ‘ringing plains of windy Troy.’ 

Philip Neame served for six years in the RAF Regiment and twenty years in the Parachute Regiment. He received a Mention In Despatches for his service in the Falklands War. He left the army as a lieutenant colonel in 1994 and went into business. Before leaving, he established the Ulysses Trust, which provides financial support to encourage members of the Volunteer Reserve and Cadet Forces to undertake expeditions. He is now deputy chairman of the Trust and spends much of his time helping to run and raise money for the charity. He was awarded an MBE for services to Reserve and Cadet Forces in 2017. His lifelong passion has been mountaineering and he has taken part in several expeditions to the Himalayas, including Mount Everest. His honeymoon was an expedition to China in 1981, shortly before the Falklands War.

Robert Fox was the BBC’s Defence correspondent attached to the Task Force. He was embedded with 2 PARA for the battle for Darwin and Goose Green, first major land action of the campaign won against overwhelming odds in which the battalion’s Commanding Officer earnt a posthumous Victoria Cross. Robert is now Defence editor of The Evening Standard and a Fellow of Exeter University’s Strategy and Security Institute

“One of the finest Falklands accounts, written by a man who was in the heart of the action. Phil Neame brings alive both the grit of the men at the sharp end, and the decision making of their commanders.”

Dan Snow, Popular Historian and Television Presenter

“By far the best book I have read about the true realities of combat during the Falkland Island War. Self-deprecating, thoughtful and funny, it is impossible to put down ‘Penal Company’ whilst reading Philip Neame’s gripping account of D Company’s battles of Goose Green and Wireless Ridge. At a time, when so much emphasis is being placed on high technology to win wars, Philip Neame clearly demonstrates that it is actually the fighting spirit and humour of the soldier that succeeds when all else fails.”

General Sir Michael Rose KCB, CBE, DSO, QGM