REDCOAT AND KHAKI - Exploring Battlefield History

Stephen Chambers is a freelance battlefield guide, author and researcher whose passion is British military history from the redcoats to khaki. He focuses on a period that spans nearly 150 years of military success and failure, from Waterloo to the end of the Second World War. Stephen is an accredited member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides, Badge No.75, and is director of Great War Digital Ltd, home of the GPS mapping product - Linesman.

Our Services

Battlefield guiding, lecturing and researching; following in the footsteps of an ancestor; studying the ground of a military campaign or battle; being led through the annals of British and Commonwealth military history from 1815 - 1945.

Battlefield Guiding

Battlefield Guiding

Walking in the footsteps - I am a freelance battlefield guide with many years experience leading groups, large and small, to the battlefields. From grasslands of Zululand, ridges of Gallipoli, mud of Flanders, deserts of North Africa, beaches of Normandy to the streets of Arnhem or Berlin.

Authoring

Authoring

Books by Stephen Chambers

Book Reviews

Book Reviews

by Stephen Chambers

Researching

Researching

There is always a story to discover - Research into your families military history

Talks & Lectures

Talks & Lectures

2023-24 Talks, Lectures, Conferences and signings

Great War Digital

Great War Digital

http://www.greatwardigital.com/ - The home of LinesMan

About Us

Based in the south-east of England, Stephen Chambers is one of the leading military historians on the Gallipoli campaign. Even though this is his prime passion, he also has knowledge of British military campaigns from Waterloo to the Second World War. Stephen is a freelance battlefield guide, author and researcher specialising in British and Commonwealth military history, from the redcoats to khaki.

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Testimonials

In 25 years of teaching it was both the most enlightening and deeply joyful experience I have ever had, and this is in no small measure down to the precise, responsive, adaptable, humane and professional management of our group by Stephen.

Tom Andrew-Power, Brune Park School

The trip far exceeded expectations both in the location, history and the telling.

Garfield Smith, CEO, Boomerang Media Group

"Thank you so much for leading the Staff Ride last week in Gallipoli:. I thought it was an excellent program, particularly so given the emphasis on the approaches by sea and the balance of your historical introductions and syndicate talks and discussions. you have obviously plenty of practice!"

Major-General Ed Smyth-Osbourne CBE, HQ London District

“We have all returned with remarkable memories and thank you so much for being the PERFECT guide. You managed to deliver so much information without ever overloading us, and conducted our days with you at such a lovely pace. It was all a very moving and poignant experience.” (following in the footsteps of the Cubitt family)

Lucy Cubitt, Norfolk

"I just wanted to thank you again for the amazing trip. It was genuinely the most interesting educational trip I have been on so far ... I cannot thank you all enough for the information you have given me, it has not only enriched my knowledge of history but also inspired me to learn more and more about the past ...Thank you so so much again for everything, this has truly been an amazing experience ."

Louise, Wallington Country Grammer School

"You were so well organised and on top of everything. You are also an excellent battlefield guide and I enjoyed our walks. Too often on such events it's just get off the coach, stand around, be lectured to and back on the bus."

Lieutenant-Colonel John White TD, PWRR

"The tour exceeded my expectations; the content, the walks, the weather, you two, made the tour a journey to remember, thank you very much."

Catherine Hamilton, Switzerland

“ …you did a good thing......research becomes a very important human thing.” (Research project)

Richard Hughes, London

"Thanks again for everything, a brilliant week." (Battlefield Study)

Major Sam Meadows, 2/RGR

“I am thrilled to write and tell you that I have managed to make contact with Fred's daughter … plans are now underway to return Fred's bronze medal and citation letter to his family. My sincere thanks for your help in making this possible … Again, thank you so much.” (Research into a WW2 US soldier)

Penny Chapman

"... brought my whole experience to life."

Steve Pawson, UK

“ … to have you with us made our trip, I am sure, the best possible tour of that action that can be done so long after the event. Indeed, your researches have made it more possible than it probably was nearer the event. You made it absolutely fantastic for us all. The depth of your knowledge, your enthusiasm and your ability to put things across to every one of us was truly marvellous. We all found the visit moving and hugely enjoyable. Thank you so much for putting so much into it, especially into the spectacular routes, the material and the wonderful photographic book you created for us.”

Major-General Sir William Cubitt, KCVO, CBE

"Our thanks to you for doing a fine job in educating us and organising us last week."

Andrew Howard, South Wales

BLOG

News, blogs, articles and other bits and pieces...Read All

A battlefield like no other

Gallipoli is a battlefield like no other. Its historical significance in the FWW continues to attract visitors, but it’s natural beauty, Mediterranean weather and welcoming nature of the Turks adds to its appeal.

Redcoat and Khaki?

The redcoat had been symbolic of the British Army for over three centuries, and although it gave way in the late 19th Century to khaki drab, it is still associated as a sign of British imperial might.

Battlefield Honeymoon

Browsing through a 1947 edition of LIFE magazine, I was struck by the story of Illinois born and bred Ernest Kreiling, and his boyhood sweetheart Jean. The story of their life-long relationship and post-war honeymoon made fascinating research, but it was the amazing collection of battlefield photographs that prompted me to share this story wider.

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For further information please email steve@greatwardigital.com. To keep up to date, why not follow me on Twitter, or LinkedIn, using the social media links below.