I started visiting the European battlefields in1990 initially with war diaries, guide and text books, trench maps in my hands, on my lap, on the steering wheel and on the spare seat, getting sometimes lost and annoyingly confused.
Later, when taking groups of friends on tours, my sense of direction had improved as had my ability to rely on fewer and fewer books, my confusion became a thing of the past— at last I knew which way the enemy was coming from! And I found where the good bars were.
I started visiting the European battlefields in1990 initially with war diaries, guide and text books, trench maps in my hands, on my lap, on the steering wheel and on the spare seat, getting sometimes lost and annoyingly confused.
Later, when taking groups of friends on tours, my sense of direction had improved as had my ability to rely on fewer and fewer books, my confusion became a thing of the past— at last I knew which way the enemy was coming from! And I found where the good bars were.
Taking an MA made me realise what gaps in my knowledge and understanding remained, but the Birmingham University academic team taught me how to fill the gaps and e how to research battles and battalions.
Now as Battlefield Tour Guide for large tour companies I gain as much pleasure in helping these clients understand what happened during the battles as I do from the small groups and individual families I lead around the sites of action and sights on the battlefields. Colleagues who work with me share the same values and have the same enthusiasm and understanding.
Barrie Friend
MBA, MA (First World War Studies)
Member Western Front Association
Associate Member International Guild of Battle Field Guides
Please contact me on 0779 6633516 for more details or to tailor a personal tour
Taking an MA made me realise what gaps in my knowledge and understanding remained, but the Birmingham University academic team taught me how to fill the gaps and how to research battles and battalions.
Now as Battlefield Tour Guide for large tour companies I gain as much pleasure in helping these clients understand what happened during the battles as I do from the small groups and individual families I lead around the sites of action and sights on the battlefields. Colleagues who work with me share the same values and have the same enthusiasm and understanding.
Barrie Friend
MBA, MA (First World War Studies)
Member Western Front Association
Associate Member International Guild of Battle Field Guides
Barrie Friend
MBA, MA (First World War Studies)
Member Western Front Association
Associate Member International Guild of Battle Field Guides
Please contact me on 07796 633 516 for more details or to tailor a personal tour.
Newly released Great War documents have uncovered information about soldiers who fought on the Western Front.
With many years of research experience I am able to use these new records, alongside the numerous existing ones, to bring your grandfather’s story to life.
‘Just a line to say how much both Marie and I enjoyed your battlefield tour and want to thank you for all your hard work. You probably don’t see it quite as ‘hard work’ (you told Marie it was a ‘passion’ of yours). Nevertheless you can’t produce such a trip which is both immensely detailed and thoroughly enjoyable without a lot of time and effort. PL
