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Latest News > OP News > A Bootneck Remembers (A Royal Marine's Memoirs) By Julian Thompson & Henrietta Lilley

A Bootneck Remembers (A Royal Marine's Memoirs) By Julian Thompson & Henrietta Lilley

In his new memoir, co-written with his daughter, Henrietta, Major General Julian Thompson details his illustrious career and why Pangbourne and the Falkland Islands Chapel are close to his heart.
7 Oct 2026
Written by Sue Carpenter
OP News
A Bootneck Remembers
A Bootneck Remembers

This fascinating book details the career of a highly experienced officer and commander in the Royal
Marines, Britain’s elite amphibious and special force. From joining the Corps in 1952,
through to his command of 3 Commando Brigade in the Falklands War and his
retirement as Major General in 1986, it provides a fascinating background into Julian Thompsons family history, both military and otherwise, including his early life in India, and his direct descent from a convicted witch in
Salem, Massachusetts and a long-serving missionary in the South Pacific.


The book highlights how he witnessed and played a role in specific key historical and military
events, both domestic and global, in the latter half of the 20th century, putting his
service in the Royal Marines in context with those events and with updates and further information on the events surrounding the Falklands War, initially covered in  Major General Thompson's Sunday Times Bestseller: No Picnic: 3 Commando Brigade
in the Falklands War.


Also covered in the book are the details of his civilian career, following his retirement from the Royal
Marines; including his consultancy work in security matters, counter maritime piracy,
his television and film work and his time as a Visiting Research Fellow and Visiting
Professor of the Department of War Studies, Kings College, London.

A Bootneck Remembers by Julian Thompson and Henrietta Lilley will be published by Pen & Sword Books on 30th November 2026 and is available now for pre-order from Amazon and Pen & Sword Books

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