Coldstream Guardsman 2664217 War

02/12/2025

Do you know someone interested in WWII or local military history? The book is now available on Amazon using this link for a Christmas gift just for them.

Happy Christmas 🎄

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DKPJ8NYS?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520

At the beginning of World War II Stephen Simpson became an infantry soldier of the 5th Battalion Coldstream Guards. Steve recounts his journey from the Yorkshire mines to the frontlines of Europe. The 17 year old soldier's story is delivered with warmth and good humour, parallel to the horrendous...

20/11/2025

20/11/2025

From Chapter 1 'It'll Do You The World Of Good'.....We got all the vehicles ready for landing and on the 6th of June 1944 we were ready to go and the invasion started.

It was absolutely amazing that evening, around a thousand bombers came over head to go over the channel. What a sight that was it was a thrill to see them like y’know.

So from there we moved up to a holding area in London at Wanstead Flats. It were a camp with a barbed wire fence around and once you were in there you weren’t allowed out. The instructions came through on what we intended to do and we moved from The Flats to The King George V docks in London.

‘In 1942 whilst my Grandad was on leave, he met Beryl Clough at Lillian and Johns wedding. They were friends of them both. Beryl later became Steve's wife. Throughout his time in training and during his active service through Europe they wrote to each other. Steve posted gifts, post cards, poems and greetings cards to her. She kept them all safely together.’

21/08/2025

Steve’s story continues to be told out there, and is now stocked by Waterstones.

Buy Coldstream Guardsman 2664217 by A C Reynolds from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.

11/11/2024

There were a few folk interested in Steve’s book at the Remembrance Ceremony in Castleford so here’s the link for those of you who were enquiring.

Thank you for being respectful to all the young cadets who tried their best too and who also showed an interest in past generations. Lovely to hear and see.

At the beginning of World War II Stephen Simpson became an infantry soldier of the 5th Battalion Coldstream Guards. Steve recounts his journey from the Yorkshire mines to the frontlines of Europe. The 17 year old soldier's story is delivered with warmth and good humour, parallel to the horrendous...

10/11/2024

Steve’s two Great Grandsons today in their Army Cadets uniform. Taking part in Remembrance Day. Will wears miniatures of Steve’s medals out of respect. I like to think Steve (my grandad) marched with them. And his brother (middle name Stephen named after Steve) carried a Coldstream Guard cloth in his pocket belonging to his great grandad. Nulli Secondus.

So proud of them all.

10/11/2024

Good evening everyone, I have just heard that the Royal British Legion said the cadets have raised a massive £1,196.96p in 4hrs on Saturday. Maybe them being out of step on the march can be forgiven!

Absolutely amazing!!

Well done everyone 👏 It was a lovely ceremony with much respect extended to those who gave their lives for us.

Castleford Royal British Legion.

10/11/2024

The young men and women who took part in today’s Remembrance ceremony parade (including Steve’s two Great Grandsons) demonstrated the utmost respect for fallen heroes and all the veterans who attended.

10/11/2024

Lest We Forget Steve's three friends whom are buried at St. Manvieu War Cemetery whose graves he visited every time he made a trip to Normandy.

Losing them broke his heart and you could see the pain in his face and hear the emotion in his voice when he spoke about them.

It felt appropriate to remember them here today for him and to honour their sacrifice specifically with these photos taken from Steve's own camera.

10/11/2024

At the going down of the sun and in the morning...

06/11/2024

Young everyday lads won the war for us and Steve came from Garforth, Leeds and worked in Buffs, Colliery Company, Micklefield near Leeds as an underground carrier before heading off to war.

The photo is his reference for the Army recruitment office from his Colliery Detailer Mr J Winfield. (Courtesy of Regimental HQ, Wellington Barracks, London)

Through stories of individual accounts like Steve’s, we find out more. At the time, each of them probably thought they were no different from those they left behind. They were all young, scared, cold, and miserable at times.

They thought they were ordinary, but I think they were extraordinary and are not to be forgotten.