Once a Hussar: A Memoir of Battle, Capture and Escape in the Second World War, By Ray Ellis

This WWII memoir offers a vivid chronicle of combat in Egypt with the 107th Royal Horse Artillery and a daring escape from an Italian POW camp.

When the Second World War broke out, Ray Ellis was a patriotic teenager eager to serve his country. Once a Hussar is Ellis’s gripping account of his wartime experiences. A gunner for the 107th RHA, South Notts Hussars, he fought in the Western Desert Campaign and distinguished himself as the last soldier to fire on advancing German troops in the devastating Battle of Knightsbridge. Captured by the Italian Royal Army, Ellis suffered harrowing deprivation as a prisoner-of-war before executing a daring escape to join the partisan forces in the Apennine Mountains. Told with self-deprecating humor and a keen eye for detail, Ellis’s story honestly depicts the horror of war, but also reveals the triumphs of the human spirit in times of great hardship.

[stewartlancaster]

Ray Ellis died in February 2014 aged 94 in his home town of Nottingham. May he rest in peace, with our eternal and humble gratitude

[natashamillerrouse]

Great story. Wonderful writing. Enjoyed the narrator. Highly recommend.

[garyteague]

Great book, I’ve never read about desert warfare against the Italians, this book is well written and the reader is great

[AirB-]

An exceptional book and superb narration, thank you!

[garyteague]

Wonderful book, don’t miss it, well written and well read and gave me knowledge I never heard before

[TheCaptain]

What can I say about this book other than bravo brilliant and fantastic 10/10. Loved every single minute of it. Thank you Mr Ellis Sir for putting down your story and the sheer hardship not to mention the action that you see and went through. I wish I could have met you may you R.I.P Sir and thank you . The narrator done a brilliant job as well clear and precise and correct English all the way through. Thank you Derick .

[deirdredery]

Fantastic book and a brilliant narrator.... need to buy a hard copy now

[DarrenWest-mufc]

Fabulous book, very well read...and I was educated at the same time...thanks

[vernedavis]

such crystal clear recollection. one wonders
how such vast memories are stored
4July'24

[petermanning]

Fantastic book enjoyed every minute of it highly recommended.

[pickititllneverheal]

Very possibly the best WW2 book I've read, or listened to. Thanks for the adventure.

[andylyon]

Seems there are so many books like this by german soldiers by this by an english soldiers is the first I have come across. Very good!

[owildman]

Life After Death: A Guardsman's Tale brought me here to this book. I do not find it surprising at all to listen to the treatment of this man and his fellow escaped British prisoner when they tried to rejoin their fellow soldiers at the end of the book. The British military has much to learn about caring for the soldiers who so selflessly serve their country during wartime. Don't get me wrong. As a US Army veteran, the US military is not far ahead of the standards of treatment of veterans. I highly recommend this book, as it nearly brought me to tears several times, remembering some of my very vivid experiences and memories of my time in service.

[MegaGREENJACKET]

Fantastic. It never ceases to amaze me that most of the books I read, will have a Green Jacket, in them somewhere. (Rifle Brigade). 🖤💚

[jangulherme]

I've read Ian Smith's book, he was shot down over Italy and received much help from Italian families and eventually escaped with their help

[johnandersen]

A beautiful human story of his time in war.🙏

[allanmcinnes]

The sacrifice these British soldiers made for future generations fills me with gratitude. Iron men for iron times. And yet the truest gentlemen you could ever wish for.

[thandyadriel]

really nice book!! it left many questions open questions.... did he marry pinky? how did little maria die?...

[calumlittle]

This guy is an absolute bomb scare. I'm surprised anyone near him survived.

[Survve_Thrive]

Why has no one made a decent film/movie of this story? Made with respect. It has dialogue, detail, accuracy. Real action, crucial battles, accurate locations, comeraderie, humour, suspense, drama, compassion...it has it all. It has elements of all the best WWII films. It would require real people not posey actors. Many western modern war films are mainly pretty boys, smoking and swearing and walking around behind enemy lines, making friends with enemy then becoming enemies again. A badly done CGI battle. Dialogue not appropriate for the period.
MAKE THIS. 🇬🇧👍