Above
That's me demonstrating how a British Army India Pattern Brown Bess Flintlock Musket would have been used by an Infantryman during the Battle
That's me demonstrating how a British Army India Pattern Brown Bess Flintlock Musket would have been used by an Infantryman during the Battle
In 1965 I entered the world rather appropriately at the British Military Hospital in Iserlohn, Germany. (Perhaps this is the reason I have such a profound interest in the military!)
As a young man I faced something of a dilemma. I knew that I wanted to join the army but I couldn't make up my mind whether to join the Blues and Royals or the Life Guards of the Household Cavalry. At this point fate stepped in and presented me with yet a third choice - Art School. Having won a scholarship, it seemed rather wasteful to turn it down so armed with brushes and paints I left for the North Essex School of Art.
However, still needing to satisfy my ambition for soldiering I decided that the Territorial Army would provide me with the perfect opportunity to have the best of both worlds. So I joined the 70th (Essex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron, part of 71st (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment (V) with whom I served for 11 wonderful years.
Two decades later, I decided to give up my full–time role as a successful and award winning designer to become a Battlefield Guide specialising in Waterloo. It was an ideal opportunity to bring all my passions together into one job — a real labour of love.
I'm an active member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides. Besides working towards my Guide's badge, I sit on the Guild Council, as well as being responsible for the Guild's website. I'm also a member of the Western Front Association, Association of Friends of the Waterloo Committee and a Trustee of Project Hougoumont, whose aim it is to restore this historic site in time for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo in 2015.
On a personal note, I'm married to my wife Ariane and we're blessed with three lovely children. When I'm not performing my Guide duties I can be found driving my Caterham Seven sports car or taking a long walk with my family and our dog exploring the surrounding countryside.
Visit
www.gbg-international.com (new window)
for more information about the Guild of Battlefield Guides.
Visit
www.projecthougoumont.com (new window)
for more information about Project Hougoumont.
Visit
www.waterloocommittee.org.uk (new window)
for more information about the Association of Friends of the Waterloo Committee.
Visit
www.westernfrontassociation.com (new window)
for more information about the Western Front Association.
Visit
www.essex-yeomanry.org.uk (new window)
for more information about the Essex Yeomanry Association.