In 2014 I was lucky enough to be in Normandy for the 70th anniversary of D-Day. I was able to spend time with a number of veterans including Tony Colgan of the 9th Durham Light Infantry. Tony was travelling with his Grandson and it was wonderful to share this time with them. As part of … Continue reading Storming the beaches: Covering the 70th anniversary of D-Day
Video: A walk on W Beach, Gallipoli
In April 2015 I was lucky enough to attend the centenary commemorations of the Allied landings at Gallipoli. One of the sites well worth a visit is "W Beach" and the nearby Lancashire Landing cemetery. While there I made the short film below: W beach was known to the Turks as Tekke Bay. It was … Continue reading Video: A walk on W Beach, Gallipoli
Video: Why did Britain invade Zululand?
I am fascinated by the Anglo-Zulu war but have always been confused about the reasons for it and why Britain invaded. In this short "5 minute history" I try to give an explanation as to why the war happened.
The Peninsular war part 5: The convention of Cintra and its aftermath
This is the fifth instalment of my series looking at the Peninsular war through the eyes of the British soldiers. For the previous article covering the battle of Vimeiro please follow this link. As soon as the battle was over the whole British army was desperate to pursue the beaten French before they could reform … Continue reading The Peninsular war part 5: The convention of Cintra and its aftermath
The Peninsular war part 4: The battle of Vimeiro
This is the fourth part of my series examining the Peninsular war through the eyes of the British soldiers. For the previous instalment, about the battle of Rolica, please follow this link. Under a broad blue sky, dotted with thin wispy clouds the British army hastily pulled on their boots and grabbed their weapons. Bugles … Continue reading The Peninsular war part 4: The battle of Vimeiro
Swift and Bold: The reenactors of the 5/60th Rifles
The 5/60th Rifles were one of the most elite regiments of the British army during the Napoleonic wars. They were skirmishers equipped with the excellent Baker rifle and dressed in green rather than the traditional red jackets. Now a group of enthusiasts in the west Midlands are bringing the unit back to life. I was … Continue reading Swift and Bold: The reenactors of the 5/60th Rifles
The Peninsular war part 3: The battle of Rolica
In the third part of my story of the Peninsular war, as seen through the eyes of the British soldiers, we examine the battle of Rolica - an early success for Sir Arthur Wellesley and his men. For my previous articles that explore the landings at Mondego bay and the first combat casualties of the … Continue reading The Peninsular war part 3: The battle of Rolica
The Peninsular war part 2: The first combat casualties
This is the second part of my series examining the Peninsular war through the eyes of the British soldiers. In part one we met Sir Arthur Wellesley's army as it landed at Mondego Bay. In this article the British suffer their first combat casualties during a skirmish with the French at Obidos. On the 9th … Continue reading The Peninsular war part 2: The first combat casualties
The Peninsular war part 1: The British landings at Mondego bay
This is the first in a series of articles examining the Peninsular war through the eyes of the soldiers themselves. In this piece we join Sir Arthur Wellesley and his men as they land in Portugal to take on the victorious French.
Video: A 5 minute history of the battle of the Somme
In this video I give an overview of the battle of the Somme - Britain's deadliest battle. The battle raged from July to November 1916. I'm not a Somme expert but I hope this will give you a basic understanding of why and how the battle was fought.
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