James Lee

James Lee is an Army veteran who served 24 years in the Royal Corps of Transport and the Royal Logistic Corps. Beginning his military career as a driver, and progressing, with surprisingly few accidents, he eventually became a Movement Controller. Throughout his time in the military, James accumulated a wealth of experiences, stories, and insights from his various roles.

Upon retiring, James turned his boyhood passion for aviation into a new career by gaining his Commercial Pilots Licence and becoming a self-employed Flying Instructor. His varied experiences ultimately led him to authorship, where he published his debut book, Licking the Taliban’s Flip Flop, in 2021. The first in the, Hurry Up & Wait, trilogy, this work offers an immersive, often humorous account of his final deployment to Afghanistan in 2012 as a Staff Sergeant in the Royal Logistic Corps. Far from being a typical military memoir, the book explores the crucial but underappreciated role of support units, providing a fresh perspective on life behind the front lines.

James’ second book, Sleeping in the Ditch with Slobodan Milošević, takes readers back to 1996. In this instalment, James is a driver involved in the international effort in the Balkans enforcing peace, where years of bloody conflict left the region devastated. His narrative blends the absurd with the tragic, highlighting the surreal situations he encountered in a post-conflict environment.

The final book of the trilogy, slated for release in late 2025, will take readers to Germany just after the fall of the Berlin Wall. As James begins his military career, the narrative will explore how one bad decision by Saddam Hussein ultimately leads him to the streets of West Belfast.

Through his books, James provides readers with a unique and insightful perspective on military life, emphasizing the essential roles of ordinary soldiers in support units who keep the British Army operational. Departing from traditional military chronicles, his work blends humour and keen observations to spotlight the often overlooked contributions of those working behind the scenes, offering a refreshing view of military life beyond the front lines of combat.