Special Forces Brothers in Arms

Special Forces Brothers in Arms written by Patric McGonigal and published

by Pen & Sword Books - £25 - Hardback - Pages 360

The McGonigal brothers, Eoin and Ambrose were fiercely independent characters. Born and educated in southern Ireland to a catholic family but raised in Belfast, they wasted no time in enlisting at the outbreak of War in 1939. Both outstanding sportsmen, their leadership potential was quickly recognised.

Eoin was one of the first two officers selected from an Irish regiment for Commando training in 1940. After leading a troop at the River Litani battle in Syria, he became the youngest of the original officers selected for the fledgling SAS and quickly made a name for himself. Tragically, he was lost after parachuting behind enemy lines in Libya. His body was never recovered and many unanswered questions remain today.

Ambrose, having carried out multiple coastal raids with the Commandos and winning two Military Crosses, later led operations for the SBS in Yugoslavia and Italy. Post-war, he had a short but notable legal career as a Lord Justice of Appeal in Northern Ireland at the height of the Troubles.

Light is also shone on the brothers’ close friend, the legendary Blair Mayne and the controversial decision to downgrade the award of his Victoria Cross.

This is a thought-provoking account of lost and fulfilled potential and unswerving loyalty at a time of political and religious turmoil

If you wanted a poster to advertise what you wanted for Special Forces, then you couldn’t go far wrong with a picture of these two men, Eoin & Ambrose McGonigal. These two brothers originally born in Ireland were highly educated, active, ambitious and the kind of men you find leading the local football team. Both brothers had been educated in Belfast and both enlisted as soon as they could in 39, Eoin unfortunately was lost during an operation to parachute behind enemy lines and was never seen again. Ambrose had also been a Commando and was fully skilled and had been on multiple raids, and survived through to the end of the war.

This book is quite a riveting read and does read like a comic book hero-type book, but then this is what the brothers got up by living a decorated life where they got to do all sorts of military activities in the name of war. The book is written by a relative of the brothers, and I must say has written an excellent book full of good detail, references from records and family knowledge from being a family member. The book is supported by some good photos throughout and I enjoyed the appendices at the back of the book. A thoroughly good read.