An independent history site dedicated to Lt Col Robert Blair “Paddy” Mayne, the Ulsterman who rose from rugby international to one of the founding officers of the Special Air Service.
In Short
Our aim is simple: tell Paddy Mayne’s documented story accurately, separate fact from legend, and show our sources.
Our Mission
Few figures of the Second World War have attracted as much legend as Paddy Mayne. Over the years, memoirs, biographies, documentaries and television dramas have shaped how he is remembered, and the line between record and retelling has often blurred. This site covers his life, his rugby career, his service with the SAS, the operations he led, and the long debate over his Victoria Cross. Throughout, we distinguish between what is documented and what is disputed.
Who Publishes This Site
We are a small group of history enthusiasts, not academics or a publishing house. We write in our own time and check what we publish against the documented record. When something is well attested but not proven, we say so plainly. If you know this history better than we do, we want to hear from you.
Independent Website Notice
PaddyMayne.com is an independent educational website. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Special Air Service, the British Army, the Ministry of Defence, the SAS Regimental Association, or the Mayne family.
Our Editorial and Verification Standards
- We do not invent details. No fabricated quotes, citations, casualty figures or mission specifics.
- We label our confidence. Documented facts are stated plainly. Memoir-based or single-source claims are framed as “according to,” and disputed points are identified as such.
- We prefer strong sources. Official records, archives, museums, named historians and published books come before internet repetition.
- We keep a source trail. Each history page lists its sources and further reading.
Images
Images on this site are historical photographs drawn from public archives and openly licensed collections. If you hold rights to an image used here, or can identify its original source, please contact us and we will credit or remove it promptly.
Corrections
We would rather be accurate than first. If you spot an error, or have sourced material that corrects or expands what we’ve published, please contact us through our Contact page or at info@paddymayne.com. We review every correction, update the page where warranted, and date significant changes.
