The helicopter carrying McAleese and Tomkins crashed as it flew low through the clouds over the Andes, killing the pilot. The events were told in the 2021 documentary film ‘Killing Escobar’.

He served in the British Army's Parachute Regiment and Special Air Service (SAS), the Rhodesian Special Air Service and British South Africa Police, and South Africa's 44 Parachute Brigade. As a mercenary or contractor, he worked in countries including South Africa, Angola, Colombia, Russia, Algeria and Iraq. In early 1977, McAleese moved to Rhodesia and enlisted with the Rhodesian Special Air Service, being assigned to its 'A' Squadron, fighting in the Rhodesian Bush War with the rank of a non-commissioned officer. In 1979, he joined the British South Africa Police's Special Branch operating in South Rhodesia. He left the British Army in 1969 and after a stint on the North Sea oil rigs in 1975, took up a new career as a professional soldier fighting in the Angolan Civil War on behalf of the National Liberation Front of Angola, even assuming command of the formation after the capture of British mercenary Costas Georgiou, who was executed by firing squad following the Luanda Trial. Peter McAleese who is bidding a farewell to arms – in fact his entire archive documenting his explosive career is coming up for auction in Lichfield.

a b c d Interview audio tape (No.15433) with Pater McAleese, Sound Archive, Imperial War Museum, 1995. Associated Press filmed interview with McAleese, 'McAleese on mercenaries' killings', recorded 18 February 1976. Published on YouTube 23 July 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-lWbwYMIks In 1964 he re-joined the SAS and served with 'D' Squadron's 16 (Air) Troop in Borneo and in the Aden Emergency. The divorced dad-of-three has decided to part with the archive after downsizing to a one-bed flat in his adopted Birmingham, where he once ran The Gunmakers Arms pub. McAleese, Peter (11 November 1993). No Mean Soldier (First Edition, First Impressioned.). London: Orion. ISBN 9781857972504.

In his latter years McAleese was a pub landlord in England. In 1993, he published his memoir, entitled No Mean Soldier, which has been reprinted several times. [6] Publications [ edit ] Peter enlisted with the British Army's Parachute Regiment in Aberdeen in 1960 at the age of 17. After basic training at the Parachute Regiment's Aldershot depot, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment's mortar platoon.I’ve had a great life. I’m extremely happy at the moment and I have a marvellous relationship with my family. That’s when he completed the legendary selection course to become a member of 22 Regiment SAS. McAleese subsequently went to train with US Special Forces at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, one of the first SAS troopers to complete HALO parachute training with the US Green Berets. Viewing ahead of the sale takes place on Saturday, March 21 and Monday, March 23. Call 01543 251081 or visit www.richardwinterton.co.uk. Life of wild adventure They are the classic British troops dropped behind enemy lines and working undercover – no different to the modern SAS. “From a collectors’ point of view, whenever groups like this come on the market they’re always sought after because of the story to tell. Beyond No Mean Soldier" does exactly that, going deep and further beyond the experience of "No Mean Soldier". Over many months and into the early hours, McAleese reflected on his wide and expansive experiences - the men he's served with and the operations he'd conducted. Here in startling detail are the Aden insurgency, covert operations with the Rhodesian SAS and one of the first ever operational HALO inserts in British military history. Heart pumping assaults on SWAPO positions with 44 Para's Pathfinder Company and the sheer terror of flawed mercenary operations in Angola with the likes of 'Colonel Callan'; near death in Colombia when an assassination attempt went terribly wrong.

I’m just an ordinary person who happened to find himself doing extraordinary things,” he says. “I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Beyond No Mean Soldier: The explosive recollections of a former Special Forces Operator', publisher's profile of P. McAleese". 2019. Archived from the original on 28 August 2015 . Retrieved 24 January 2019.

My Book Notes

Former SAS trooper Peter McAleese is bidding a farewell to arms – in fact his entire archive documenting his explosive career is coming up for auction in Lichfield. Former SAS trooper Peter McAleese is bidding a farewell to arms – in fact his entire archive documenting his explosive career is coming up for auction in Lichfield. What's going under the hammer...

Parachute Regiment, Special Air Service, the Rhodesian Special Air Service, British South Africa Police, 44 Parachute Brigade Peter McAleese was born into a Catholic family of Irish descent in Glasgow, Scotland, within sight of Barlinnie Prison, and spent his childhood years in the city's Shettleston district. [1] Growing up he was often beaten by his father, who had served in the military and had a reputation for being an aggressive fighting man, which contributed to Peter's use of fighting to solve conflicts later in life. [2] Military career [ edit ] Interview with McAleese, 'Pathfinder Company, S.A.D.F.', published on Youtube 9 March 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gxumw_iSAg&t=381s What sets this group out from others which have come to market is the variety of medals and awards that have been issued to this man and from different countries. “That sets the group apart as being totally unique. Read More Related Articles Because of the secretive nature in which the SAS is run – for all the right reasons – it’s sometimes very hard for the collector to find out the story behind the medals, but not in this case. It’s all there in the books. “This group represents a unique insight into the tough world of a professional soldier.”

No mean soldier

In early 1977, McAleese went to Rhodesia where he enlisted with the Rhodesian SAS as a non-commissioned officer. Two years later, he joined the Special Branch in South Rhodesia and in 1980 enlisted with the South Africa Defence Forces 44 Parachute Brigade, where he served as colour sergeant. Read More Related Articles He served three prison sentences in the early 1970s following convictions for violence and was incarcerated at HMP Gloucester. On release from prison for the third time he left the United Kingdom for Africa, where he was a mercenary soldier in the Angolan Civil War for several months in 1976, fighting for the National Liberation Front of Angola, assuming command of the formation after the capture of Costas Georgiou. [4] [3] In later life Peter became an author publishing 2 books "No Mean Soldier" and "McAleese's Fighting Manual".