SAS: Duty Before Glory: The True WWII Story of SAS Original Reg Seekings (as featured on SAS Rogue Heroes)

The biography of remarkable SAS Original Reg Seekings, from his humble beginnings in the Cambridgeshire Fens to his instrumental role in the success of the SAS during the Second World War. Starting at the very bottom of the ranks, Seekings was a farm labourer’s son who climbed from private to squadron sergeant-major and became one of the British Army’s most highly decorated non-commissioned officers of the Second World War. In short, Seekings was an ordinary man who did extraordinary things. His is a remarkable story – one of fierce ambition, camaraderie, inner strength and heroism as he transcended humble beginnings in the Fen fields of Cambridgeshire. And he was there from the very first day of the SAS, which was born in the late summer of 1941. Using audio material from the Imperial War Museum and previously unseen material from Reg’s collection of notebooks and handwritten accounts of operations, this is a comprehensive and engaging portrait of one of the unit’s all-time greats.

About the Author :
Tony Rushmer has been a journalist for twenty-five years, covering a wide range of top-class sport for national newspapers and magazines. His first book was the critically acclaimed The Triumph of Henry Cecil, which was one of three finalists for the 2019 Dr Tony Ryan Award. Tony established his own sports PR business in 2005 and his clients have included Newmarket Racecourses, the PGA and World Snooker. He lives near Newmarket, in the UK.

Review :
Reg Seekings is the great unsung hero of the wartime SAS. Countless words have been written about David Stirling and Blair Mayne but, as the power behind their thrones, Seekings' importance can hardly be overstated. Here, at last, is a biography that does him justice. In Tony Rushmer’s skilful hands, Seekings’ remarkable story leaps from the pages. But this book is more than a biography. It is the story of the Special Air Service from its pre-existence to its post-war termination, told through a little-remembered man who experienced every moment. It is a thrilling – and important – new angle on a frequently told story. Brilliant, revelatory and compelling. The legendary Reg Seekings was an iconic figure in SAS operations of WWII. A highly decorated Original, a warrior almost without compare, an elite soldier with a touching humanitarian side, this book does his memory full justice, demonstrating how powerfully the legacy endures. This is a vital addition to the history of the SAS. Reg Seekings was a formative member of L Detachment, SAS, and as such he saw more wartime service than most ranks. His story is not only a personal journey, but an account of the wartime SAS from its inception. The book has been a gift we never expected ... a story that is now written down and which will not be lost in the passage of time. The stuff of "Boys Own" comics, full of heroics and derring-do … A thrilling read The use of Seekings' own handwritten accounts of operations adds a layer of authenticity and immediacy to the narrative Refreshing to see things largely from Reg's point of view … A thoroughly enjoyable read, that I have no hesitation in recommending A comprehensive and engaging biography of one of the most highly decorated special forces soldiers of the Second World War. This title is a must- have for any Second World War bookshelf A must read … absolutely superb