John Patrick Hamill

Accredited Guide Number: 59

I am a retired Army Quartermaster (Logistics) and have been guiding professionally since 2009.

My interest in battlefields began as a boy when I caused uproar in his father’s garden by digging trenches and having battles with model soldiers in my father’s flower/vegetable beds. I joined the Army, aged 15 as a Junior Leader in 1961. Since then, my Regular Army career has been with many different Regiments and Corps (Middlesex, Queens, Royal Army Medical Corps and the Intelligence Corps), spanned 47 years, with operational experience in Northern Ireland and The Former Republic of Yugoslavia. In June 2002 I was awarded an MBE for my service.

I have had an extensive career serving across the globe. my infantry experience, both tactical and administrative gives me a soldier’s eye for ground with its impact on various weapon systems and the logistic support needed to maintain armies in the field.

I have an interest in medieval battles such as the Battle of Lewes and Wolverhampton, as well as the English Civil War. I have researched and led a Tour of the Battle of Waterloo in the past and have added this to my list of tours. Another area I am researching is the various Battles of the Hundred Years War with France and anticipate being qualified to take Tours in these battles.

I am also well qualified to lead tours on many of the battlefields of both World Wars.

Battles

Battle of LewesBattle of the BulgeDelville WoodMiddle AgesNapoleonNormandy LandingsPasschendaelePolygon WoodVerdunWWIWWIIWaterloo

Countries

BelgiumEuropeFranceWestern Europe

Caters For

Adult Coach GroupsIndividualsMilitary & VeteranSchool GroupsSmall Groups

Areas of Expertise

Wars covered:

  • Medieval English wars
  • Battle of Waterloo
  • World War One
  • World War Two

 

Areas of expertise:

  • Battle of Lewes (East Sussex 1264)
  • Battle of Waterloo
  • Various Battles on the Somme WW1 1914 – 1918, Ypres 1914 -1918, including Passchendaele, Polygon Wood (1914 and 1918). Dellville Wood where the South Africans fought.
  • The French Battle at Verdun.
  • Canadian, Chinese and Australian involvement in WW1
  • I am a notable expert on the story of the Unknown Soldier who is buried in Westminster Abbey and Nurse Edith Cavell, who is buried in Norwich Cathedral.

Second World War:

  • Fall of France 1940
  • Normandy Landings 1944 and the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes.
  • Canadian involvement in WW2.

 

Other specialisms:

Researching Individual ancestors of any customers

I enjoy touring with adult civilian groups or Military Recruits and I can be regularly to be found on the continent working for Great Rail Journeys and Poppy Travel (the British Legion). I am proud to have qualified as a holder of the Badge of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides in March 2013.

Originally from West London, I now live in Seaford in East Sussex. I was a volunteer case worker for SSAFA in the Eastbourne area for six years and enjoyed the interaction with the cases. I have a very understanding wife of 51 years, Denise, and she is glad at times to see me disappear on tours, so that she can pursue her own interests.