and his books focussing on the war from the frontline soldiers point of view rightly rebalanced the study of war away from generals and Kings etc. I loved his buttondowned tv style he was always sounded slightly cross. This could be slightly humourous at times as in his film about "The battle of the Boyne" he recounted how Irish soldiers lead by King James turned on him after the defeat calling him "Seamus A'Caka" Holmes translating this with a completely straight face as "James the shit head" did make me chuckle.