British army

A former British soldier has been sentenced to spend seven years and six months in a Turkish jail for fighting against Islamic State militants in Syria, alongside Kurdish militia forces. Joe Robinson, 25, of Accrington in Lancashire, was convicted of being a member of a terrorist organisation. He was sentenced on Friday but was still out on bail a day later, the Telegraph understands. The Foreign Office said it was “standing ready” to provide consular assistance. Robinson, who toured Afghanistan with the Duke of Lancaster’s regiment in 2012, went to Syria in July 2015, days after a terrorist killed 38 tourists including 30 Britons in a mass-shooting in Sousse in Tunisia. He has said he was inspired to go to protect civilians from Islamic militants, after becoming incensed by gory Isil propaganda videos and what he saw as British inaction in the region. … [Read more...] about Former British soldier jailed for nearly 8 years in Turkey after being accused of fighting against Islamic State

Never-before-seen photos of the Arab Revolt have come to light to reveal Lawrence of Arabia had help from a plucky band of British troops as well as the native tribesmen. War hero T.E Lawrence famously led local guerrilla forces across the desert in World War One by dressing as an Arab to build a rapport with them. The photos feature in a new book which sheds new light on Lawrence's achievements in the Middle East. Never-before-seen photos of the Arab Revolt have come to light to reveal Lawrence of Arabia had help from a plucky band of British troops as well as the native tribesmen. The photos feature in a new book which sheds new light on Lawrence's achievements in the Middle East called: Masters of Mayhem, Lawrence of Arabia and the British Military Mission to the Hejaz War hero T.E Lawrence famously led local guerrilla forces across the desert in World War One by dressing as an Arab to build a rapport with them.The photos had been tucked away in the private photo albums of … [Read more...] about The SECRET desert Tommies: Unseen images reveal for the first time how British troops joined Lawrence of Arabia as he famously led the Arab Revolt in WWI

A heroic British diver who helped in the Thailand cave rescue may sue Elon Musk for calling him a "pedo guy" on Twitter, according to reports. MirrorOnline reported yesterday how the business magnate called Vern Unsworth "pedo guy" after the diver, who lives in Chiang Rai in Thailand, criticised Mr Musk's offer to help in the rescue as a "PR stunt". Reports also claim Mr Unsworth is yet to see Mr Musk's tweets using the word 'pedo' - which is the American spelling abbreviation for 'paedophile'. But the Daily Mail reports that when asked if he will take legal action against Mr Musk he said: "If it's what I think it is yes" - before adding "this ain't finished." The diver reportedly added that he plans to weigh up his options when he returns to the UK. Mr Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX, had claimed his prototype submarine could be used to rescue the 12 young Thai football players and their coach trapped in the Tham Luang caverns. But after the boys were rescued Mr Unsworth, 63, … [Read more...] about Hero British diver may sue Elon Musk for calling him ‘PEDO GUY’ on Twitter after Thailand cave rescue criticism

Up to 35,000 people living downstream from the crumbling dam above Whaley Bridge have been urged to 'prepare a bag of essentials' in case they need to be evacuated. Residents in the towns of Marple and New Mills and the village of Furness Vale are piling sandbags at their doors and will have ten minutes to flee if the Toddbrook Reservoir floods the area. The Army and firefighters have been visiting properties warning people that the swollen River Goyt could flood their homes if the dams breaks. Thousands of litres of water from the reservoir is being pumped into the Goyt to lower water levels and reduce pressure in the reservoir. But as a result Marple, with a population of 23,000, New Mills, with a population of 10,000 and the village of Furness Vale, with a population of 1,500, are also in danger of flooding if the dam breaks into the bursting river. Katie Jackson, 32, who lives in the village of Strines, around six miles from Stockport, could be evacuated with her husband and three … [Read more...] about 35,000 MORE residents are at risk from Whaley Bridge dam: Towns and villages further downstream from danger zone are warned by the Army to ‘prepare a bag’ and be ready to evacuate with 10 minutes’ notice

A family fell seriously ill with food poisoning while holidaying at the same hotel at which a British couple died in suspicious circumstances. Sarah McCormick, 37, and her ex-army corporal husband Thomas, 42, spent £5,000 to take kids Paige and Lexi on a two-week break at Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada, Egypt. But they were all taken poorly with Salmonella and the intestinal disease Shigella. Mrs McCormick, a bookkeeper, said she feared her partner was going to die. They stayed at the same Thomas Cook venue at which John Cooper, 69, and his wife Susan, 63, from Burnley, Lancashire, died suddenly . Mrs McCormick, of Wimborne, Dorset, said today: "I feel really sorry for the Cooper family and can't imagine what they are going through. It's as if their deaths meant nothing and everything carries on as before. "I thought my husband was dying he was that sick. "He used to be in the army and does Ironmans and triathlons and he couldn't even lift his head off the bed he … [Read more...] about Brit family fall ill at same hotel as Thomas Cook British ‘e-Coli’ death couple