I am an experienced speaker, giving talks on various aspects of the Great War. I have lectured to schools, local history groups, university classes and battlefield enthusiasts. Please use the Contact page to request more information on subjects covered, availability and rates.

“On behalf of the group, a very big thanks for the really first class talk you gave us. I have had a number of calls saying how much they not only enjoyed the talk, but how much new material they learned. You really did uncover some dark corners. I thought your presentation was terrific – not too much detail and very clear.” Charles Stuart, Farnham U3A letter of thanks following my talk, The Somme – 1 July 1916. A North-South Divide?

I spoke at the Wellington Quarry, Arras in November 2010 to a French audience about the Battle of Arras. The talk was in French and was warmly received by the hundred or so attendees.  Please read HERE for an account of the talk and preceding bespoke battlefield tour.

I spoke at Thames Valley WFA on 28 April and Avon WFA on 19 October. The subject was one close to my heart; “The Battle of Arras: April – May 1917″. Both evenings were well attended and I was pleased with the audience reaction and feedback received by email:

“Very many thanks for your excellent presentation – I think it deserves full marks! You presented your material clearly and audibly, using very good visuals to illustrate your commentary. Your maps were legible and easily read – something where many speakers fall down. Wisely you kept statistics to a minimum but used them to make your points. You established a good rapport with your audience and you certainly appeared very relaxed. It should have raised the profile of the battles of Arras and I hope it will have encouraged more people to explore the area.” Bridgeen Fox, Chairman Thames Valley Branch, Western Front Association

UPDATE

I have been asked by the Arras Tourist Board to give a lecture in French about the Battle of Arras on 4 April 2012 to coincide with the 95th anniversary commemorations for the battle. It will take place in the lecture room at Wellington Quarry, time to be confirmed.

I have also just arranged to speak to the Herts & Beds. branch of the WFA on 16 November 2012 about the La Boisselle Study Group and our work at the Glory Hole.  The branch meets at St. George’s School in Harpenden. Again, time to be confirmed.

Jeremy Banning and Peter Barton using panoramas at Aeroplane Trench, Fricourt to explain the failure of the 1 July 1916 attack at this point to a group of battlefield visitors