A NEW book has been launched to honour the history of local soldiers.

“Never Better Served” reflects and celebrates the story of the Ayrshire Yeomanry Squadron and their members from local communities like Mauchline.

Major Peter Kennedy unveiled the novel at Yeomanry House in Ayr with author William Purdie covering 60 years of history throughout the book.

It includes all the various changes which have taken place since the Ayrshire Yeomanry Regiment was disbanded and became a squadron.

Mr Purdie’s History of the Ayrshire Yeomanry 1964-2018 charts the events following the Regimental History narrated in “The Proud Trooper”.

The book is dedicated to the memory of Sergeant David Smith who was killed in Germany in 1982 and Staff Sergeant John “Jock” McKelvie who tragically died while serving earlier this year.

Major Peter Kennedy said: “I am delighted that this history of the Ayrshire Yeomanry Squadron which started as an idea has come to fruition.

“It is also a tribute to my grandfather who fought with the Ayrshire Yeomanry in the First World War and my father who also fought with the Ayrshire Yeomanry in the Second World War”.

William Purdie, added: “It has been a great privilege to work with serving soldiers of the Ayrshire Squadron and the Old Comrades while writing this history.

“I’ve met some amazing people and heard some wonderful and amusing stories of what the squadron got up to”.

Now the Squadron continues to support the regular army, carrying on the proud tradition of the Ayrshire Yeomanry Regiment which was founded over 200 years ago (becoming the Earl of Carrick’s Own) and which fought in the Boer War as well as both World Wars.

The book is available to buy online at www.ayrshireyeomanry.co.uk for £20 + p&p.