Soldier’s­ story

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
By Gavin Dickson with D.J. Carswell
Ten Publishing. 36 pages. £0.99
ISBN 978 1 912 373 390

My grandfather fought in World War II. He was a major.

Yet, when I was a boy, we did not discuss tanks or guns; I never heard one story of wartime heroics. We were not even allowed to clench our fists after winning a board game. It brought back too many virulent memories of bitter victories won. War is cold and cruel.

In We Will Remember Them Gavin Dickson, former Scots Guardsman (2003-2013), gives those, who have never perceived war firsthand, a glimpse of life as a soldier. The former member of the British Army powerfully recalls the death of many comrades in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also speaks of the aptness of remembering those who serve faithfully, and the importance of supporting those coming to terms with the trauma of war. Nevertheless, this short book, primarily shares the testimony of ‘a very angry young man’ – a serviceman once addicted to pornography, prostitution, and alcohol – who became a soldier of Christ.

Honest about war

Storytelling in our society is a powerful weapon, and this is a good one. Dickson is very honest about both the reality of war and his pre-conversion lifestyle. There are some great heart-warming moments, e.g. soon after Dickson becomes a Christian, he speaks of wanting to be in the lead military vehicle, because ‘I was [now] ready to die… many others were unprepared.’

Yet the book never presents itself as ‘The Conversion of Rambo’. There is a compelling honesty to it. At the start of the book, Dickson highlights that he is small man from a humble home. He also shares how difficult it has been to readjust to life post-war, and how he still battles everyday sins. Perhaps most encouragingly he retells how he was converted through the patient witness of a local pastor and his wife, and how he has grown most as a Christian simply through reading his Bible.

This book is a great one to give to an unbeliever with a military background, but it’s a good read for anyone. It made me more thankful for those who have sacrificially served to keep our country safe. It made me even more thankful that the Gospel continues to bring peace – even to those who have experienced the horrors of war.