Meet The Anglia Tours Team

Brian was born (1958) and raised in Nottingham, struggled academically at school leaving at 16 and joining the Army. Brian then served in the Army for 35 years reaching the rank of Warrant Officer (Sergeant Major) in the Infantry specialising in Battlefield Communications. For the last 15 years of Army Service Brian was involved in Designing, Delivering and Evaluating Military Training for soldiers including NVQ Level 3 and 4 in Communications. Brian has a life long interest in Military History and has been delivering Battlefield Studies and Tours for 25 years ranging from Military Study Groups, International Groups and School tours.

First and Second World War, Cold War, English Civil War and Napoleonic Wars

Susie comes from a strong military family, with all three services being represented. She spent 23 years as a Regular soldier serving with the Royal Corps of Signals in a variety of roles and operational theatres, it was early on during this career that she developed a keen and professional interest in Military History. On leaving the Regular Army in 2019, she transferred to the Army Reserve as a soldier before commissioning as an officer. She also set herself up as a self-employed battlefield tour guide/manager. Susie has a passion for bringing soldiers' stories to life, delivering an emotional rollercoaster, giving a feel for what it must have been like for soldiers and being able to give a comparison and contrast with her own operational experience, whilst also inspiring the next generation.

First World War, Second World War, Realities of War

Ian led his first tour for Anglia back in 1998, since which he has guided more than 400 groups on tours to the First World War battlefields, the Netherlands, Poland and Germany. Ian is also licensed to guide groups around the Sachsenhausen Memorial. Until recently Ian combined guiding with the role of Educational Development Manager for Next Generation Travel, working closely with teachers, educationalists and exam boards. He understands the importance of ensure our tours support key learning objectives and is comitted to providing every student with an unrivalled educational experience that will engage, inspire and motivate them.

First World War, Nazi Germany, Holocaust, Cold War, Prague

Beth has had a keen interest in military history since first being introduced to the topic as a teenager. Initially interested in the Second World War, she developed a passion for the study of the First World War after going on several battlefield tours whilst attending secondary school. Beth’s knowledge has been developed through her academic background alongside a personal appetite for self-directed study. As well as being a battlefield tour guide, Beth is a co-director of the Great War Group, a charity set up to promote education on, and further commemoration of the First World War. Beth hopes through her work that she can inspire the next generation, particularly young women, to have a passion for all aspects of history, as she was inspired by her teachers and those around her. Beth is a member of our ITG Realities of War guide team.

First World War, Second World War, Development of Warfare

Andy has been guiding professionally since 2012, has worked with exam boards and schools on Anglia’s endorsed tours in the UK, France and Germany, and teaches modern conflict and violence at the University of Suffolk. He has a PhD and a Masters Degree in First World War history, and also studied modern languages at undergraduate level. Andy’s written work has been published in magazines and peer-reviewed edited volumes, but his favoured work is done on the ground, exploring historical sites. When not working, Andy is Lead Coach of the Men’s Amateur section at Blackheath Rugby, the oldest open rugby club in the world.

First World War; Nazi Germany; Cold War; Development of Warfare; London Walking Tours

Steve spent 12 years as a regular soldier serving with the Royal Military Police in a variety of operational theatres. On leaving the Army, he joined the Metropolitan Police and served for a further 23 years. Following his retirement, he established himself in a second career as a Military Historian and researcher and in this capacity has worked on a number of TV productions including, 'Who Do You Think You Are?', 'Find My Past' and 'The One Show'. He was also one of the panel experts on the 'BBC WW1 Roadshow'. For the past twenty years, Steve has been involved in archaeology on the Western Front and in this capacity both as historian and archaeologist has been involved in a number of television productions on the subject. As a battlefield guide, Steve has been leading groups of all types to the battlefields of WW1 and WW2 for over 25 years. He has been guiding for Anglia since 2003 and is licensed to guide at the Sachsenhausen Memorial. Steve is a member of our ITG Realities of War guide team.

First World War, Second World War, Development of Warfare, Nazi Germany, Cold War, Living History

Andy graduated in History from London University. After 15 years in ‘the City’, he trained to teach History. Andy taught for 17 years, becoming a Vice Principal of a large secondary school, and completing a Masters in Educational Leadership. He has now returned to a deeper study of his passion – History - and wishes to share the exploration and experience with those who visit the battlefields and historic sites. In particular, he is keen to develop understanding of the First & Second World Wars and the Cold War. This keenness was ignited when Andy’s school went on one of Anglia’s first tours! With fellow Anglia guide Nathalie Harty, Andy co-authored an all-in-one revision and exam practice book, which supports the AQA GCSE 9-1 History topic ‘Conflict and tension between East and West 1945-1972’. Since February 2019, Andy has been licensed to guide at the Sachsenhausen Memorial.

First World War, Second World War, Nazi Germany, Cold War, Development of Warfare

Sean graduated with a History degree from the University of London, taught history in secondary schools for 14 years and holds a Masters degree in Education. Combining a passion for history and travel, he has visited over ninety countries. A qualified Expedition Leader, Sean has led over 600 educational visits - he is also licensed to guide at the Sachsenhausen Memorial. Sean combines guiding on Great War, Weimar and Nazi Germany, Holocaust and Cold War tours. Formerly the Health & Safety / Product Executive with Anglia's parent company, Sean is now a self-employed Tour Manager, leading groups all over Europe.

First World War, Nazi Germany, Holocaust, Cold War, Prague

Alain is the former Managing Director and Chairman of Anglia Tours, a company he co-founded in 1997. As well as continuing to guide, he still visits schools and gives evening presentations. As a former soldier, he can empathise with the men whose stories he tells, with a passion that makes his audiences feel they were there. His areas of expertise are WW1 and Germany, where he spent time serving during the height of the Cold War. Since February 2019, Alain has been licensed to guide at the Sachsenhausen Memorial.

WWI, Germany

John spent 24 years in the British army as a helicopter pilot and staff officer during which time he developed a professional interest in military history. He was awarded a PhD in history by the University of Leeds and has authored and contributed to several books on Second World War subjects. John’s chief interest is in the development of warfare from the First World War, through the Second World War to the Cold War. Hence he is familiar with Twentieth Century battlefields across Europe; from Malta to Berlin and from the Somme to Monte Cassino. John is a member of our ITG Realities of War guide team.

First World War, Second World War, The Home Front, Nazi Germany, Cold War, Development of Warfare

Since 1984 Dickie has been involved with military history after listening to many WW1 stories from his grandfather who served in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers from 1913 to 1919. In 1986 he joined the Royal Anglian Regiment TA. Dickie runs a military Living History group who portray the British Soldier of WW1 and WW2 participating in educational displays for the public and schools. Dickie is a Specialist Military Extra for TV  and Films and has participated in many productions eg. ‘The Somme, from Defeat to Victory’, ‘Private Peaceful’, ‘Downton Abbey’, ‘The Sainsbury's WW1 Christmas advertisement’ to name but a few. Dickie is a member of our ITG Realities of War guide team.

First World War, Living History, Development of Warfare

Julian joined Anglia Tours in 2015 after a long career as a Chartered Accountant, retiring in 2013 as a Partner in a national practice. Julian is a graduate in Modern History from the University of Oxford and his passionate interest in Twentieth Century History stems from his student years. In the Second World War, his father served with the RAF and his uncle with the Welsh Guards, but it was his grandfather speaking about his First World War service with the Devonshire Regiment that sparked Julian’s interest in that conflict. His grandfather returned to France and Belgium in 1974 and he was featured in a newspaper article which Julian has kept to this day.

First World War

Dave converted to teaching from engineering in 2000. He has a BA in History from Birkbeck (London), an MSC in the History of Science Technology and Medicine and a PGCE from the Institute of Education. He retired from teaching after 12 years as Head of History. Dave has guided for Anglia since April 2006 and has taken school groups to the First World War battlefields, Berlin, Auschwitz, Normandy and Hastings. He is married to Anne and has twins at university.

Hastings, Medieval Europe, First World War, Nazi Germany, Holocaust, Cold War

Andrew retired from the RAF as a group captain in 2005 after 36 years service, over 30 of which were in the intelligence specialisation. He is a graduate of the RAF Staff College. He has worked in Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, the Gulf and Germany, including six years in Berlin and East Germany at the height of the Cold War. He has a particular interest in World War 1, driven by his two grandfathers who served then in the Gloucesters and the Yorkshire Regiment. Berlin in World War 2 and the Cold War remains Andrew's main interest and he been licensed to guide at the Sachsenhausen Memorial since February 2019.

First World War, Nazi Germany, Second World War, The Home Front, Operation Dynamo, Cold War, Russia

Tim has been working with Anglia Tours since 2021. On leaving the army he became a full-time military historian, not only guiding but writing some thirty books principally on WW 2 and the Peninsular War and he has also presented and edited fifty military history documentary films. Tim was the subject matter expert for Anglia’s Realities of War package for British Army trainees. His areas of expertise are the Western Front, Gallipoli, Normandy, the North West European Campaign and the Mediterranean campaigns.

First World War, Second World War, Living History, Waterloo, Revolutionary France, English Civil War, Development of Warfare

Moray Treadwell is an actor who has appeared in 'Eastenders', 'Wuthering Heights', '2.4 Children',  'Pirates of the Caribbean II' and 'Downton Abbey', amongst others. In recent years, he has toured as a member of the cast of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, worked with the Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, and most recently appeared as Capulet in Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds. As a young man he was a member of the National Youth Theatre and went on to train at the Guildford School of Acting where he graduated with the ‘Actor's Cup'. His interest in the battlefields stems from his own family experiences as ‘warriors for the working day' in both world wars. His acting skills bring alive the battlefields for students, especially during the Christmas Truce tours, when he portrays Unterofficer Jozef Wenzl. Moray also guides Anglia’s Holocaust tours to Poland.

First World, War , Holocaust

As a co-founder of Anglia, Ed has worked for the company as a guide and Tour Leader for over 15 years. A keen amateur historian, he has long held an interest in military history and in particular the equipment and dress of WWI. Ed is able to impart his knowledge to young people and to help students understand how, when and why events happened. Since February 2019, Ed has been licensed to guide at the Sachsenhausen Memorial.

Revolutionary France, Waterloo, First World War, Living History, Nazi Germany, Second World War, Normandy Landings, Cold War,  Development of Warfare

For nearly 3 decades, Frank had a successful career within the creative industry as a designer – he created Anglia’s ‘Student Great War Aide-Memoire’, which has been a great success. He also served 10 years in the 70th (Essex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron, part of 71st (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment (V), and had the distinction of having been the youngest qualified tradesman in the regiment at the age of 19. Frank has been guiding since 2006 and is a badged member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides. In 2011, Frank received the Richard Holmes Award for services to the Guild and since 2019 he has been licensed to guide at the Sachsenhausen Memorial. Frank is a member of our ITG Realities of War guide team.

First World War, Waterloo, Nazi Germany, Cold War, Development of Warfare, Normandy Landings, Holocaust, Living History

Rob gained a Masters degree from the University of East Anglia. He has taught history to ‘A’ level in England and New Zealand and worked as a postgraduate tutor for Buckingham University. He is fascinated by modern European history and the history of Germany in particular. He is licensed to guide at the Sachsenhausen Memorial and his interest in the Great War was sparked by a visit to Ypres on Armistice Day 1984. Rob enjoys helping young people to engage with and gain a deeper understanding of some of the conflicts that have torn Europe apart.

London Walking Tours,Hastings, Medieval Europe, First World War, Nazi Germany, Second World War, Holocaust, Cold War, Prague, Development of Warfare

Dr Kate Vigurs joined Anglia Tours early in 2014. She is a professional historian, honorary research fellow at University of Warwick and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Kate is the author of ‘Mission Europe’ and ‘Mission France’. She is an acknowledged specialist in 20th century conflict - especially resistance activity in Occupied Europe, the Holocaust and the Cold War (which she has first-hand knowledge of having lived in Berlin during the 1980s). Kate regularly contributes to TV and radio – recently for BBC five live for VE day, BBC D-day the Unheard Tapes, A house through time and WW” in Colour – the road to victory on Netflix. She also runs the living history company History’s Maid

First World War, Second World War, Nazi Germany, Holocaust, Cold War, Living History

Martin Featherstone joined the infantry in 1965. After serving 10 years in the ranks, which included several tours of Northern Ireland and a stint as a Sergeant instructor at the Jungle Warfare School, he was commissioned at Sandhurst. Further service as an officer included Northern Ireland, the Falklands, several attachments to African armies and a tour as a tactics instructor at the Infantry Battle School in Brecon. A total of 28 years service! He has two married daughters, one of whom served 16 years as an officer in the British Army. He is an experienced solo Adventure Traveler who was made a Fellow Of The Royal Geographical Society for leading several Amazon expeditions. Since February 2019, Martin has been licensed to guide at the Sachsenhausen Memorial.

Hastings, Medieval Europe, First World War, Nazi Germany, Operation DYNAMO, Cold War, Development of Warfare

Rick retired from the army in 2003 after 24 years of service with the Royal Horse Artillery, serving in Germany, Bosnia, Canada and the UK. He recently returned from Afghanistan and the Middle East where he was working as a civilian contractor for ISAF/NATO in Kandahar and Bastion airbases. Rick's interest in military history and walking battlefields stems from being given a group of WW1 medals as a young child and visiting the areas where they were won. He currently resides with his wife Chrissie in the sleepy village of Shipton Bellinger on the edge of the Salisbury plain. Since February 2019, Rick has been licensed to guide at Sachsenhausen Memorial. He is also a member of our ITG Realities of War guide team.

First World War, Second World War, Nazi Germany, Cold War, Development of Warfare

David Barron comes from a family of soldiers of various types and abilities, who have served the Crown, with the exception of Cromwell, William of Orange and the early Hanoverian Kings, since the 17th century. He was commissioned into the Gordon Highlanders in 1979 and served in the army for 35 years, retiring as a Lt Colonel. He has a lifelong interest in history - as a 5-year-old, he expressed the opinion that the Second World War was won by Winston Churchill and his father. His army career fostered a passion for military and regimental history and he hopes that he is able to pass this enthusiasm on to those he guides. David is licensed to guide at Sachsenhausen Memorial and is a member of our ITG Realities of War guide team.

First World War, Nazi Germany, Cold War

John is a retired Police Officer with more than 40 years experience of visiting, studying and walking the Western Front battlefields. A frequent visitor to Germany, John is licensed to guide at Sachsenhausen Memorial. He also holds current qualifications in both adult teaching and Health and Safety.

First World War, Nazi Germany, Cold War

Tim joined the army at the age of 16 and served with the Army Air Corps in the Falklands War, Northern Ireland, Berlin and Kenya. After leaving the forces, he began working in the field of social work and Probation and has been active in developing support services for military veterans returning to civilian life. Tim’s interest in military history has led to frequent visits to battlefields in the US, Europe and South East Asia. He is author of a number of books on the military and social history of the World Wars.

First World War, Second World War, Home Front, Berlin

Gary has been interested in Modern History since school and has been a regular visitor to the battlefields of Europe since his days in the Army. He has led, and organised, motorcycle and walking tours in Normandy, the French coastal defenses, Somme, Ypres and in the UK and has planned WW1 & WW2 tours for both 1st and 2nd Battalions Royal Anglian Regiment and the Regimental Association. Gary served 8 years in the Royal Anglian Regiment, as both a regular and reservist, leaving with a local rank of Sergeant. He also served 27 years in the Police in a range of roles including Specialist Firearms Officer/Instructor, Search Officer, Counter Terrorism, Covert Surveillance and Counter Surveillance. Gary currently works as guide for the Royal Anglian museum at Duxford, which involves guiding the public, schools, cadets and serving units. He is also a member of our ITG Realities of War guide team.

First World War (Western Front, Second World War (Normandy and French Coast), Realities of War

John was born in Aldershot into a military family, his father being a serving soldier in the Parachute Regiment. He spent his childhood years living in various garrison towns in the UK and Germany, including Berlin. At the age of ten, John returned to the Midlands until he was seventeen and then followed the family tradition of joining the army. John served with the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment from 1984 until 1989 and then joined West Midlands Police. Since 2001 he has been involved in the organisation and research for numerous trips and pilgrimages to commemorate the police officers and men of the Midlands killed in conflicts since the beginning of the twentieth century. John has a passion for telling the story of the ordinary everyday person who is caught up in some of the most dramatic events in the history of their own families and communities. He is also a member of our ITG Realities of War guide team.

First World War

Chris has served 30 years as a professional soldier, initially in the Australian Army in the infantry, finishing with the British Army Air Corps, flying for 21 years. Now retired, he flies with the Yorkshire Air Ambulance based at RAF Topcliffe. Having always had a keen interest in Military History, he has often managed to visit historical sites whilst "on tour" with the Army.

First World War, Gallipoli, Second World War, Peninsular Wars, Zulu Wars

Gary joined the Royal Air Force in 1984 and is still currently serving. He has completed numerous operational tours with all 3 services, which have included Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He has a passion for military history and an enthusiasm for telling the story of the serviceman’s day to day life to the next generation. This resulted in him being a nominated finalist in the “Sun” newspaper “Millies” awards and being awarded the Chief of the Air Staff’s Commendation. Gary is a veteran of historical re-enacting and Living History, specialising in the Second World War. This has opened the door to TV and film work, but more importantly, he has been involved in bringing the past to life. Gary has delivered tours for a variety of groups, both civilian and military, and enjoys nothing more than sharing his passion for history with people. He is a member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides and also our ITG Realities of War guide team.

First World War, Nazi Germany, Great Escape, Normandy, Arnhem, Malaya and Singapore

Eugenie has a great military family background. Her father was a decorated Spitfire and Hurricane pilot in WWII; and her grandfather, also highly decorated, was an ‘Old Contemptible’ in the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade Machine Gun Section, serving throughout the Great War. Three Great-Uncles were killed during the Great War, another a POW in Germany and it is from this family history that her interest in military history and the importance of Remembrance and respect grew from an early age. Prior to guiding, Eugenie worked for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission before serving for 33 years in the Police, retiring from the Metropolitan Police Royalty Protection Department as a firearms supervisor in 2014. She also served in the RAF Reserves. During her time in the police, Eugenie arranged and led numerous battlefield tours for colleagues to pay their respects, tracing their relatives who fell during war. She has led many tours to Normandy, the Western Front, Belgium, Malta, Poland and in the UK and has conducted recces for tours of Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore and India prior to COVID. Her groups have included family groups visiting their relatives' graves after researching their stories, school groups, adults, military groups both adults and cadets and numerous veterans’ groups. Eugenie enjoys introducing people to the battlefields, bringing them to life, telling the stories of the men and women who are buried and commemorated there and making it all relevant to her audience, ensuring that the sacrifice of so many is never forgotten by this and future generations. She is a member of our ITG Realities of War guide team.

First World War, Second World War, Holocaust

After graduating with a degree in Modern Languages from Cambridge University, Charlotte originally moved to Berlin to study for an MA at the Free University of Berlin - and has stayed ever since. She has extensive guiding experience across the city, including being licensed to guide at the Sachsenhausen Memorial. Charlotte combines her guiding with her work as a translator and language teacher.

Nazi Germany; Cold War

Chris joined the army in 1976 as a boy soldier and on completion of his basic and trade training in the Royal Signal he was posted to Germany. After a brief spell at a Signal Regiment he was posted to the 1st Battalion The Royal Hampshire Regiment undertaking an operational Tour in Northern Ireland. After subsequent tours in the province Chris was posted to an Arctic Warfare Unit serving in Norway and Turkey. Chris returned to the Royal Signals depot training both junior and adult soldiers including TA Officers. Chris transferred to the Royal and Electrical Mechanical Engineers in a training role and spent time at the depot and Army Training Regiment Pirbright as the Company Quarter Master Sergeant. Subsequent to this Chris moved as a Company Sergeant Major to a field company undertaking tours of the Balkans. Promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major and then commissioned, Chris carried multiple tours of Iraq and Afghanistan as Quartermaster. During his time in the Army Chris has planned, organised and delivered multiple battlefield studies and staff rides to Italy, America, WW1 western front and Gallipoli, WW2 Europe and most recently Sicily. Chris has a passion for military history and in particular logistics.

Bill retired from the Metropolitan Police as a Mounted Branch officer following 29 years’ service, the majority of which was spent within the Specialist Firearms Command. An Army Reserve Warrant Officer, he has completed operational tours in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan and is currently serving with 144 Parachute Medical Squadron. Bill is passionate about engaging students of all ages with the incredible history and personal stories of the British Army during the First World War. He is a member of our ITG Realities of War guide team.

First World War, Second World War

Geoff has been working with Anglia for over 7 years now and has guided multiple successful tours of the First World War to many locations in Belgium and France. Before joining the team, he spent several years as Anglia Client accompanying his school on our tours. He has a long history of research into the Great War for both family and friends. Geoff enjoys working with the students to help them understand the progress of the war to draw their own learning, conclusions and thoughts. As an ex-teacher himself, Geoff is fully aware of techniques to engage and interest young people, helping them link the learning ‘on the ground’ to the requirements of their various examination syllabus. He helps them draw out information and learning to support their studies.

First World War, The Western Front in the First World War

John has a Masters degree in Philosophy and taught History and more recently Politics over a 38-year period. He has been a Head of History, Head of Sixth Form and an Advanced Skills Teacher. He has taught GCSE Modern World History and Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, to A-Level. He undertook his first tour of the battlefields of the First World War in 1987 and has organised and run trips virtually every year since then, including to Berlin and Auschwitz. Since he retired from teaching in 2018, he has pursued his hobby of touring battlefield and historic sites with Anglia Tours to encourage the next generation to understand and appreciate the personal aspect of warfare and the lives of those who lived through the years of 1914 onwards.

First World War, Nazi Germany , Holocaust

Chris has guided for Anglia since the very first days of the business, as an original guide. Serving in the Royal Marines Commandos and fighting in the Falklands War of 1982 and in Northern Ireland and specialising in Reconnaissance and Intelligence. He completed his Degree in Military History and then his Masters Degree, also in Military History and developing into Lecturing at Colleges and University, completing his Teaching Degree. A passion for ‘the soldiers’ lived experience’ on battlefields also led him to author a successful and widely received book about the Falklands War.

First World War, Soldiers’ equipment, armaments and lived experience.

Robert is a battlefield tour guide and is currently writing a C-IED manual for the UN along with military history books on the SAS, SOE and the Cold War. He retired from the British Army where he worked in the fields of IEDD and intelligence, working for UKSF and DIS. He subsequently managed training for the UN and NATO in Afghanistan, Libya, Ukraine, Nigeria and Somalia. His battlefield tour expertise and experience includes the American Civil War, WW1, WW2 and the Cold War on sites in the UK, USA, France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Sicily, Crete, the Baltic States, Ukraine, Poland and the Balkans. Robert has a Masters degree in Global Security from Cranfield University and lectures at UCL on intelligence and defence matters and counter-proliferation. He is also a member of our ITG Realties of War guide teami

American Civil War, First World War, Second World War, The Cold War

Rob spent 17 years in the Army as an Infantry Officer, staff officer and instructor. Retired, he is now an MOD Civil Servant, part-time military historian and self-confessed military history ‘nut’ with a passion for introducing people history. Prior to joining the Army, Rob trained as a museum curator, working in the Tullie House Museum, Durham Light Infantry Museum and National Army Museum. Following military service, Rob returned to museums, becoming curator of the newly formed Rifles Museum in Winchester then subsequently Director of Heritage & Commemorations for the Rifles, including overseeing a network of 12 museums relating to the Regiment’s history. Rob regularly visits battlefields and historic sites across the UK, Europe and further afield; to develop his knowledge and understanding of history. Rob is also a historical re-enactor and living history interpreter of over 30 years experience, specialising in the Napoleonic Wars, Great War and Second World War. Working as a ‘living history’ historian has given him a feel for events, artefacts and characters from the past and in bringing history to life. Rob also has access to a broad range of artefacts real and reproduction, to enhance learning and historical understanding. Rob has advised for film and television productions and appeared in documentaries for BBC History, Yesterday and the History Channel as a historical commentator. He has also co-authored a two-part history of the Light Division in the Peninsula War and is a member of our ITG Realities of War guide team.

First World War, Second World War, Living History, Waterloo Campaign, Peninsular War

Brendan has been with Anglia since 2013, balancing his love of guiding with his role as a British Army Infantry Officer. He enjoys inspiring and motivating young people through the lessons learned from armed conflict both at the sharp end and on the home front. Drawing on his 38 years of service, he can contextualise the development of warfare into the modern era and its effects. Engaging and enthusiastic, Brendan likes to interact with Teachers and Students alike in order to get the most from the experience of walking the ground and bringing to life the stories of our recent history, while supporting the educational needs of the Group. Brendan’s arears of interest are the battlefields of World War One, World War Two, especially Airborne Operations. In the Modern Warfare space, the Cold War, Cyprus Emergency, Northern Ierland and the Balkans.

After graduating with a degree in History from Magdalene College, Cambridge, David worked for many years in the motor industry before re-training as a teacher. He spent most of his teaching career at the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, where he taught A Level, including coursework on Douglas Haig, GCSE, including Medicine Through Time, Nazi Germany and the Cold War, and KS3 History. For many years he led the school’s UCAS and Oxbridge preparation programmes. He organised and led many of the school’s battlefields trip to Ypres and the Somme and since retiring from teaching has continued to pursue his interest in guiding around the Western Front battlefields.

Dominic Evans spent 29 years in the Royal Artillery including tours in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. He developed his interest in battlefield guiding while taking ‘staff rides’, as the army calls battlefield trips, when he was a member of the directing staff at the Joint Services Command and Staff College. On leaving the army he went into teaching for 10 years and continued to enjoy taking school trips to the WW1 battlefields. In 2024 he joined Anglia Tours and has been taking trips to Ypres and the Somme battlefields. He has also develop his interest in Nazi Germany and the Holocaust with trips to Krakow and Auschwitz.

First World War, Second World War, Science of Warfare, Nazi Germany, Holocaust

Ian has been with Anglia since 2024. He has guided groups on tours of the First World War battlefields with Anglia, but has experience guiding other groups to Normandy and to Napoleonic battlefields in Spain and Portugal. Ian retired from Higher Education in 2021. Prior to his career in Higher Education he served in the Royal Air Force completing tours of duty in a number of different operational and training roles throughout the UK and overseas in the Falkland Islands and West Germany. Ian maintained his contact with the Armed Forces whilst working in Higher Education as member of the University Military Education Committee and as a member of the UK Veterans Agency & Pensions Committee reporting to the UK Minister of Veteran Affairs. In retirement Ian combines his guiding commitments with his role as a Cadet Forces Adult Volunteer, commanding an RAF Air Cadet Squadron near his home in South Wales.

James Stythe is a retired colonel who spent five years as a guide for Anglia Tours from 2015 to 2020 and now returns after a prolonged sabbatical. James is also a solicitor who, during a total of about thirty years of military service, served as a subaltern in the 2nd/7th Gurkha Rifles in Hong Kong and Brunei and briefly in the Royal Military Police but for the majority of his time in uniform he was a legal officer, including many years in Germany and on operational tours of duty in Northern Ireland, and Kosovo and Afghanistan with NATO. He is a visiting lecturer and judge at the International Institute of Humanitarian Law where he was the first British director of the Military department and is a published author, (as James Nelson - “Military Operations from Kosovo to Kabul”- Pen & Sword 2021).

WW1,Ypres and the Somme, Military Law.

Lorraine’s ambition is to ignite a love of History and to share this passion. She aims to engage exploration and encourage enquiry with those who visit the battlefields and historic locations with her. She is totally delighted when students adopt an inquiry-led approach and is thrilled when understanding comes alive on tour. Lorraine appreciates that on school tours it’s not just about the History and, as an ex-teacher, appreciates the personal development that each individual can experience during a tour. Lorraine is also licenced to guide at Sachsenhausen Memorial Site in Berlin, and is comfortable in Germany – be it Weimar, Nazi or Cold War settings. She has been developing passion for history for over 25 years as a teacher of History and Assistant Headteacher of a large secondary school. Lorraine studied for a Master's in Educational Assessment. She has examined A level and GCSE History papers for several years and has now joined Anglia to deepen her study of History and to continue to share her love for History with others.

First World War, Nazi Germany, Cold War, 20th Century Russia, Development of Warfare, London Crime and Punishment & Migration.

Paul has been guiding for over 12 years, mostly on the WW1 battlefields. He served with the RAF Regiment from 1973-1986 and developed his love of history there, visiting many battlefields in countries where he was serving. He is the current National Chairman of the RAF Regiment Association In 1990 Paul became a Prison Officer and served as such until his retirement in 2013 as a Senior Officer. Since then he has worked as a Battlefield Tour Guide taking school and cadet groups on tours as well as running bespoke tours for adults in small groups. Paul's speciality is WW1, although he has recently guided tours to Normandy, and having lived in Germany and Holland whilst in the RAF, he developed great interest in The Battle of Arnhem and has guided some tours to that area. In 2023 Paul guided a group of 6 people from 3 families who's members were awarded the Victoria Cross in WW1. He works with the Victoria Cross Trust helping to reatore the graves of those VC recipients buried around the UK.

Paul has been visiting the battlefields since his first school trip as a teenager where his interest intensified upon discovery that his Grandfather had been taken to Germany as a Prisoner of War in 1918. After a career in Financial Services, Paul joined the Guild of Battlefield Guides to further his guiding knowledge and has been a volunteer Tour Guide and Speaker for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission since 2020. He has also been a Scout Leader for 30 years and guided Scout Groups abroad. He is keen that students should have battlefield tour opportunities to enhance their studies and understanding of historical events that shape today’s world.

First World War, Ypres, Arras and Somme

Initially pursuing a career as a mountaineering instructor, Phill has climbed extensively in the UK, Europe and USA. A degree in education saw him entering the teaching profession in 1993 where he taught secondary school physics for 30 years. Concurrent with these roles Phill pursued a passion for battlefield touring. This has taken him from the arctic circle throughout Europe and onto the roof of the alps in pursuit of military history. He also served for 6 years as an infantry soldier in the Army reserve in both the Cheshire, and London regiments. Phill’s principle military interests are in the European wars of the 20th century. His passion for battlefield guiding lies with school groups, and in giving them the experiences to evaluate the conflicts whilst ‘walking the ground’ themselves. As an educationalist, Phill blends his knowledge and passion for history with an understanding of pedagogy, to tailor his craft for the young people he works with.

Richard (Rick) served in the British Army for 24 years, culminating in his appointment as a Regimental Sergeant Major. His operational experience spans Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and two tours of Afghanistan, one of which was with the US Marine Corps. He comes from a long line of soldiers, with family military service dating back to the Crimean War. Rick has a lifelong interest in British conflicts, particularly the First World War, which led him to guiding with Anglia Tours. His delivery is shaped by historical research, lived military experience, and a passion for telling stories from the soldier’s perspective, helping students understand both the hardships and humanity of those who served.

First World War, Second World War, Realities of War

Simon’s fascination with touring battlefields began in 1977, when he was taken to Arnhem by his Father, after they had seen the film a Bridge too far. So was born a lifelong love of military history, that led to both a Bachelor’s Degree in History and a Master’s Degree in Military Studies. The obsession continued, even during 30 years as an Infantry Officer in the British Army. Indeed, military experience only made it worse! Giving him the ability to look at battlefields through the eyes of the soldiers who fought there. Which inevitably developed into a passion for learning their personal stories, and using both aspects to try and really bring the whole experience of touring battlefields to life. Since leaving the Army in 2020, Simon has focused on working as a battlefield guide around various WWI and WWII sites. His main area of interest though, is WWII, especially the Normandy Campaign, The Battle of the Bulge and Monte Cassino, as well as the development of tactics and equipment throughout history.

First World War, Second World War, Development of Warfare.

Simon left the Regular Army as a major in the Army Air Corps in November 2022. He served for over 30 years in both the RAF and Army. He has served on the Attack Helicopter (Apache) Force and the RAF Chinook Force and has completed a number of operational tours in the Balkans, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan. He has worked at battlegroup, brigade and division level and has a good understanding of staff planning processes. In his last job in the Army he worked on training brigade and division headquarters. Simon has long had an interest in military history. Simon has been guiding groups to both the Western Front and Normandy for several years now, and since retiring has been working as a freelance battlefield guide including for Anglia on the Army Realties of War contract and now with school groups. He has a keen interest in all thing to do with the development of military aviation and airborne forces. He particularly enjoys guiding groups of young people around the battlefields and bringing the stories about what happened to life. Simon is also a Royal Yachting Assocation sailing instructor, volunteers with the RNLI, and runs a local cadet unit.

WW1 - Western Front. WW2 Normandy landings and break out battles, Operation Market Garden. American Civil War.

Stephen Chambers has been guiding for over 15 years and is a badged member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides. Steve’s background is 25 years working in IT, information and cyber security, but from an early age has a passion for military history. This has inspired him to write several books on the subject, lecture and guide groups around the world. He regularly takes groups to the First World War battlefields of Gallipoli, Salonika, and the Western Front, and the Second World War battlefields in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Prague, and North Africa. Steve combines his guiding commitments with the role of trustee and historian of The Gallipoli Association charity. Steve likes to bring soldiers’ stories to life, whilst examining lessons learned and the symbiotic relationship of technological advancements and military tactics.

Anglo-Zulu and Boer War, First World War, Second World War, Development of Warfare.

Tim Stoneman has guided tours of battlefields and remembrance sites since 2008, leading groups of veterans, schools parties and the general public to widen understanding of the meaning and realities of conflict, in both present-day and historical contexts. Before this, he served in the Royal Navy, which he left in 2007. Hs life-long interest in naval history has broadened to encompass land and air campaigns of the 20th century; whilst preferring to look at battlefields with a nautical or amphibious flavour, such as Gallipoli, Dunkirk or Normandy, he is equally at home guiding on the Somme, in Flanders, or other land-locked regions. Some prefer to focus their remembrance nearer to home; Tim has also led students, civilians and servicemen on visits to memorials, museums and historic sites in the UK, such as those in London and Portsmouth. He is an accredited member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides.

First World War; Second World War; Cold War.