Bøker av Adrian and Dawn L. Bridge

Commemorating its 80th anniversary, this book tells the full story of a crucial late campaign in the Second World War. Drawing on a variety of sources, the authors shine a light on an area that General Eisenhower said 'experienced some of the fiercest fighting of the whole war'.

This collection of true life crime stories gives a vivid insight into life in Manchester in the past.

The county of Staffordshire has an impressive military history and heritage that stretches back well over 1,000 years. In this book the authors explore the military heritage of the historical county of Staffordshire, including the heavily populated urban areas of Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Walsall and West Bromwich and the more rural parts of the county from its Anglo-Saxon and Viking legacy to the present day. As well as Staffordshire's historic fortifications, airbases and other military structures, the authors tell the story of Staffordshire's experiences on the Home Front in the world wars. Its military heritage also encompasses military hospitals, munitions, armaments and aircraft production, as well as the military units and regiments associated with Staffordshire, significant military personalities and awards and the foreign wars its soldiers were involved in through the centuries, as well as the county's memorials to these conflicts. This book will be of interest to all those who would like to know more about Staffordshire's remarkable military history.

Through much of its history the Cheshire town of Northwich was little more than 6 statutory acres. This modest settlement was surrounded by other small townships, which it gradually absorbed over time. The bonds between central Northwich and its surrounding villages and settlements have been very strong for centuries. The long industrial history of parts of Northwich - famous for its salt, soda ash and shipbuilding - contrast with the semi-rural character of areas such as Davenham and Hartford. In Secret Northwich & Around, local authors Adrian and Dawn L. Bridge delve beneath the surface of the area's fascinating history and focus upon aspects of its past that are lesser known, but of considerable significance. Among the subjects highlighted is the massive impact that slave trade money had on the local economy. Other chapters look at local industries, people, power and controversy and Victorian politics. The authors also explore hidden aspects of the locality's past, which include topics ranging from law and order to public health, poverty and wartime. Illustrated throughout, with colour and archive images, this book will be of interest to local residents, visitors and all those with connections to the area.

The ancient walled city of Chester has an illustrious military history dating back to Roman times when a fort, four times the size of anything else in Britannia, was built here. In this book, local authors Adrian and Dawn L. Bridge chronicle the city's military history across the centuries. Beginning with the impact of the XXth Legion - Legio Vigesima Valeria Victrix - the authors go on to explore the Dark Ages, Viking, Saxon and medieval eras right through to the twentieth century, with both world wars, and beyond. Chapters focus on themes including local, national and foreign conflicts; military personalities, honours and awards; military units; and buildings and memorials. Both lesser and well-known aspects of the city's military heritage are featured to present a balanced perspective. In addition, the authors highlight women, as well as men, on the front line and the home front. Famous Chester military heroes such as Bomber Command's Leonard Cheshire VC and the Korean War's Kenneth Muir VC feature with lesser-known but equally distinguished local people such as John Dolphin (Head of SOE's Section IX during the Second World War). The Cheshire Regiment looms large in any discussion of Chester's military units. Its origins immediately after the 1688 Glorious Revolution are discussed together with the regiment's history up to its modern merger with the Mercian Regiment. Chester's Military Heritage presents a broad and insightful account of this important aspect of the city's history.

Northwich has an impressive history stretching back to Roman times when the surrounding area was exploited for its salt pans. Although the town's history goes back so far, the township was a very small one, comprising little more than 6 square acres of land. It was surrounded by nearby larger communities such as Witton-cum-Twambrooks, Leftwich, Hartford and Davenham. However, during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Northwich expanded to incorporate many of these neighbouring towns and villages, and is now largely indistinguishable from such parishes. There is one long continuous ribbon of development stretching out into the Cheshire countryside. In Northwich & Around in 50 Buildings, local authors Adrian and Dawn L. Bridge seek out landmarks and structures from across the centuries which are significant to the town. These are the buildings that reveal the fascinating history of Northwich and its environs and tell the story of its people and their way of life. Focusing upon key themes including ancient buildings, portable buildings, industrial heritage, residences of the rich and poor, Victorian paternalism, leisure and retail, and modern buildings, the authors study a wide range of structures that served many different purposes and were built in contrasting styles. Among those featured are Vale Royal Abbey, Arley Hall, the Lion Salt Works, Anderton Boat Lift, the local workhouse, churches, schools, pubs, hospitals and places of entertainment. Coming right up to the twenty-first century, the Baron's Quay development and the Northwich Memorial Court complex are also included in this detailed and engaging chronicle of the area's history and architecture.