When the Fighting is Over

Robert Lawrence was born into the army. His brother, father and grandfather had all been in the forces before him, so it seemed natural for him to join up. He joined the Scots Guards and loved the army life - its sense of family and history, the mess nights, the ceremonial, the training and travel. When the Falkland Islands were invaded by Argentina in 1982, Lawrence became involved in the battle for Tumbledown Mountain, in which he was seriously maimed. This is an account of his experiences there and his subsequent recovery and treatment on his return to Britain. He and his father describe the disgust they felt at the reception of the "conquering heroes" - the men the British Army tried to forget. Published to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the Falklands War, this is a testimony to those who liberated the Islands and to their families who lived through the war and its aftermath.