Books - by Leonard J. Gill

Old Cambrian Society

Rambunctious Reflections

The humorous snapshots of a boy growing up in Kenya, and the people he meets on his way to adulthood form a joyous and often engrossing celebration of life in general.

"The book covers the first ten years on my life from 1930, the attitudes I adopted, and events I and my family experienced, together with tales about some of the famous and infamous characters we met. These include visits from the Prince of Wales and his experiences with Beryl Markham, various "white hunters", and, of course, the shenanigans of my school days"

- Len Gill

Rollicking Recollections

"The book covers the emergence of the young adult years of my life from 1940, the attitudes I adopted, and events I and my family experienced, together with tales about some of the famous and infamous characters we met. My own adventures in which I faced serious injury and even death didn't make me more circumspect.

I walked through life confident in my immortality, like a cat with twenty-nine lives, and with a sense of fun and growing responsibility.

Hesitant steps toward youthful romance were met with mild disappointment and an arrogant belief that girls were of little value beyond being useful targets for pranks"

- Len Gill

This book describes Len's experiences during his years as a pupil of the Prince of Wales School, Nairobi.

Military Musings

Entertaining tales of a Kenya Regiment soldier serving with the Kings African Rifles in anti-Mau-Mau terrorist operations. Amid the serious incidents, there are humorous and enchanting anecdotes of unforgettable characters. The book covers the relationships Len had with his African troops and their experiences which led to mutual respect and comradeship. Together they faced danger from terrorist ambushes, rogue animals and the cold, damp climate of high altitude and nutritionally inadequate diet. Sensitive contacts with the civil population led to trust and friendship toward him and his soldiers.

More Military Musings

Leonard Gill, a Kenya-born English lad, will keep you enthralled by stories of the fight against Mau-Mau terrorists in the forests of Kenya. As we have come to expect from Len, this book will keep you chuckling at some of his tales and those of the African troops with whom he served.

Remembering the Regiment

Kenya settlers, of European extraction, performed enthusiastically in a variety of roles in the Emergency Forces: Serving in Kenya Regiment companies; serving as patrol commanders attached to the Kings African Rifles with African troops, and with British regiments as guides, tracker handlers and advisers; as District Officers with the Kikuyu Guard as leaders and instructors in military skills; as pseudo Mau-Mau terrorists; as policemen; as pilots with the Kenya Police Air Wing; as criminal investigation and intelligence officers. They participated with good humor and enthusiasm at all levels and gave their expertise freely. Many were extraordinarily effective and many served in isolation from their superior officers, who relied on their initiative.

Webmaster's comments:

About the Author

Born in Kenya, East Africa, of English parents in December 1930, Len lived there until 1989.

Even in a period of anti-Mau Mau Rebellion operations Len found sensitive and happy incidents among the hell of bloodshed and killing.

Africans dubbed him with the nickname Mpenda raha (he who enjoys a good time). Len insists that a shot-glass of humor helps the worries go down.

Len served with African troops. With them, Len matured in a way that enabled him to balance horror with humor.

Len now lives in Glenwood Springs, Colorado with his wife, Kaye and Shih-tzu, Bandit.

Webmaster received an e-mail from Kaye Gill on 20th March 2006:

My best friend is no longer with me. Len died on Monday, 13 March. He went so soon, and because of VERY heavy pain-killers, there was no apparent pain.

(Len had been suffering from cancer of the lower back, diagnosed just recently)

For anyone who lived through this very difficult time in Kenya's history, this is a "must have" for the bookshelf.