The Special Air Service, the special forces unit within the British Army, has become legendary. No surprise then that its origins have taken on some myth-like qualities. Much of the story of the SAS’s inception during WWII circles around the ‘Phantom Major’ David Stirling. But, as Gavin Mortimer’s new book 2SAS: Bill Stirling And The Forgotten Special Forces Unit Of World War II reveals, his brother Bill and the exploits of his SAS unit are the true predecessors of the modern force. We spoke with Mortimer to learn more about the elusive Bill Stirling and the lasting impact of his exploits during WWII.
Could you tell us a little about Bill Stirling and his background?
Bill was born in 1911, to brigadier general Archibald Stirling and his wife, Margaret, the daughter of the 13th Lord Lovat. Bill’s father died in 1931, just before he turned 20, and he became the Laird of Keir, one
