About Me

I am a Nottinghamian by birth but am now domiciled in Lincolnshire. I am an independent First World War historian, researcher, author, battlefield guide and publisher of the weekly news blog, Trench Lincs.

I have a passion for British history through the ages and the Great War in particular. I have an MA in British First World War studies from the University of Birmingham (2014) and a particular interest in the social history of the war, the stories of the men who served, and the post-war processes that communities went through in their desire to memorialise their village and town war dead.

My own family saw eleven men serve at the front during 1914-18, with my grandfather’s brother killed in action in 1916, another who died of the effects of gas in 1919 and the majority of the survivors grievously wounded, including my grandfather who lost an eye at the age of 18.

On the death of my parents, all of my grandfather’s wartime letters, post cards, medals etc. came into my possession, and I cherish them dearly. This led me to research all eleven of my family members who served, and their stories can be found on this site.

In recent times, I have led battlefield tours to Gallipoli, France (WWI and Normandy D-Day), Belgium, and on my doorstep, to East Stoke for a battlefield walk and tour for the 1487 Wars of the Roses battle that was fought there.

I was the appointed historian for the Lottery funded centenary project for Chapel En Le Frith Male Voice Choir. This choir was formed in 1918/19 by returning servicemen and my short book about life in the Derbyshire Peak District during the war can also be found on this site.

I was also a contributor to the Bottesford Centenary project, again, another well-funded project thanks to the National Lottery.

I am a regular speaker in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire on the military history circuit, with a specialism on the 7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, The Robin Hoods – who were the Nottingham City Territorial battalion, and I can be found at many country shows and events displaying memorabilia and helping visitors with their ancestor research.

I have edited books and articles for several prominent historians, most notably Lord Kitchener’s One Hundred by Lina Stunden, and a number of articles by Jon Sandison who fronts Shetlanders On The Western Front.

Outside of my historical endeavours, I can regularly be found at both Trent Bridge and the City Ground in Nottingham watching county cricket and Premier League football or being grandpa to my growing family of wonderful children and grandchildren.