About me!

More than just a historian!

In my childhood I developed a great interest in the Second World War.. I was born in The Netherlands, a country which has been occupied by Nazi-Germany for five long years, from May 1940 until May 1945. Through the years my interest in this period in history grew, and in particular the events which let to the liberation of my country. In the 1990s I started collecting wartime artifacts and memorabilia, of which part has been on display in Hurst Castle, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire. (Collector)

My growing interest led me to the 60th Anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, where I became friends with British veterans of 47 Royal Marine Commando. After having done a lot of research on this Commando, I was officially named the 47 RM Commando Historian. As a result, in 2011, several Navy and Marines Cadets units, invited me to lecture on the history of 47 RM Commando. In addition, in 2014, I started organising annual liberation parades in Normandy. (Event Organiser) That same year I published my book about 47 RM Commando. (Author)

In the meantime having relocated to Bournemouth, Dorset, towards the end of 2018 I decided the time had come to share my knowledge with the public, and I started my own organisation to provide lectures and workshops about the Second World War. After a slow start, the pandemic spoiled all the fun. Everything came to a halt, and during lockdown I had to think of other ways to run my organisation. Since I have had some singing experience as a teenager and loving the songs from the era, I decided to start a professional singing career in addition to lecturing about the war. (Singer)

After the pandemic I decided to dig into Wartime Bournemouth history. I have done a lot of research on the role Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole played during the war, Bournemouth defences and public shelters, as well as all 51 Air Raids on Bournemouth.

I am available for presentations about (local) wartime history, please get in touch through my Contact page!