BBJ Team

Left to Right: Chris Wesley, David Bartlett (Director), Mike Kelly, Bill McQuade

The BBJ Team:

David J Bartlett

David could not have imagined whilst researching the Great War involvement of his two Uncles more than 25 years ago, that those many personal visits of exploration to the Western Front battlefields would evolve into the stimulating concern that has become the premier trademark of battlefield tourism, Bartletts Battlefield Journeys.

Looking back it is now patently apparent that the path that has led David to the present day has been a natural progression and it was something that was intended to happen. Perhaps the spirits of those soldiers who haunt the Great War battlefields spurred him forward to ensure their deeds and memory may never be erased.

His influence extends along the whole length of the Western Front and his services as a consultant are sought regularly by film makers, TV and radio producers, authors and researchers.  Productions where his advice has been sought include an award winning Granada TV documentary on black and Asian soldiers in the Great War, and a Dutch TV documentary on the discovery of the remains of 21 soldiers near Arras which was received with much acclaim throughout Europe and the U.K.

David applies meticulous attention to the very basic of details, a result of his extensive police experience which propelled him to senior rank before his retirement in 1995. This perspective is tried, tested and proven, and has brought David and BBJ many accolades from many thousands of guests world-wide since the company was formed in 1995.

To all who are thinking of visiting the battlefields, the message is always the same. You will be assured of David’s personal attention to every journey. Only when the detailed planning and research is in place will the guest’s exciting pilgrimage be given over to one of BBJ’s four experienced, committed and devoted guides.

This unique vigilance ensures the guest will gain the best possible experience from their time with Bartletts and results in many clients undertaking repeat journeys.  The record so far for a repeat traveller is 17 Journeys.

These methods can only be applied to small group journeys; with no more than seven guests. Everyone can be assured of individual attention. This is the ethos of Bartletts Battlefield Journeys.

Mike Kelly (B.A. Hons)

Michael is a well respected military historian and joined BBJ in 1998.

In addition to leading pilgrims to the Western Front he specialises in American actions and recently has been engaged in a study with an American colleague into the life and exploits of the American national hero, Sergeant Alvin York. Together Michael and his American companion, Dr. Tom Nolan, have recently published a guide book, ‘Sergeant York of the Argonne ’ written to serve as an aide memoire for travellers visiting the American WW1 battlefields. The book is available on Mike’s website at: www.sergeantyorkproject.com

Mike served in the Royal Navy on H.M.S Ganges, attached to Combined Operations (Special Forces) Royal Marines for twelve years before appointment to the Lincolnshire Police which he served for 25 years predominantly as a detective in Criminal Investigation. He is a retired Chairman of the Ganges Association, Past President of the Grimsby Rugby Union Football Club and former President of Lincolnshire Rugby Football Union .  Mike is a member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides.

Bill McQuade

Bill says that his life long passion for military history was first stimulated by a 10^th year birthday present from his grandmother – a book by the RAF hero Guy Gibson entitled, “Enemy Coast Ahead”. He served with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, an armoured regiment, during the Cold War in Germany and this provided the opportunity for visits to WW1 & 2 battle sites, many of them still in their war time condition. Upon discharge from the Army, Bill spent some time Wakefield College before taking a teaching qualification. He then pursued a career in Adult education but always the call of military history was predominant and he constantly found himself in demand by documentary film makers. Here his diverse knowledge of warfare through the ages and his practical presentation skills were considered a vital asset.

Both ancient and modern warfare was encompassed including the Battles of Marathon and Waterloo ; the Franco-Prussian War; the Great War; the Second World War; the Holocaust; the Cold War; the Arab-Israeli conflicts and Vietnam .

Now acknowledged as one of the finest and most experienced battlefield guides currently operating,  Bill is a founder member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides.

Chris Wesley

Chris spent 37 years in the RAF as a navigator and flew in Vulcan V- Bombers before becoming a navigation instructor.  Following a period of experimental flying he became a captain on the Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft.  Thereafter he served for a time with the Fleet Air Arm. His final tour was as a navigation instructor at the RAF College at Cranwell.  Chris has spent his entire professional career interpreting maps and teaching that skill to others.   He has a natural ability to transcribe the battle maps to the surrounding scene and vice versa, and takes great pride in the maps he produces. His interest in the Great War and WW2 came about from direct contact with veterans of both wars and this interest continued when upon leaving the RAF in 2004, he trained with and took up a position as a battlefield guide with BBJ.  He operates along the Western Front but specialises in Canadian actions and in escorting travellers to Normandy and Dieppe .   His other interests include horseracing, r ugby , hill-walking and shooting.

A member of the Escape Lines Memorial Society, Chris recently undertook a mountain walking expedition through the Pyrenees following the escape route used by WW2 allied escapees and evaders.

Trefor Jones