"Leaders collects in one place for the first time the remarkably personal and distinct stories from Pangbourne College of the courageous men and women in war and peace - accounts that are in danger of being forgotten today. Based on original research and neglected first-person accounts, it covers the period 1917-2020, with a particular emphasis on World War II, the Cold War, the Falklands War and contemporary conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Leaders documents the courageous and singular actions during a century of peacetime, as well as profiling the outstanding Second World War heroes Mike Cumberlege, David Smiley, and GTS 'Peter' Gray. A chapter recounting amazing exploits in the world of international sport adds a separate dimension to the book."

What is courage? --two George crosses, two George medals -- "A New Kind of Sailor" : the destroyer commanders -- The submariners : brave pirates of the deep -- G.T.S 'Peter' gray: a naval enigma -- They also served … -- In the army : leading by example -- "Courage is the Thing. All Goes if Courage Goes!" -- The flyers : over land and sea -- The supreme sacrifice : not mere words -- My dreams : tremendous as the sky -- The sporting life -- The troubled post-war world -- Fighting in the Falklands -- In peace as well as war.