Rob Deere

Accredited Guide Number: 80

Originally commissioned into The Gordon Highlanders, I served for twenty years as an infantry officer in the British Army. This included tours at regimental duty as a rifle platoon and close reconnaissance platoon commander, adjutant and company commander. I have also served as an aide de-camp, infantry tactics adviser to the Kuwaiti Army, close reconnaissance instructor at the Land Warfare Centre and a staff officer at brigade and divisional levels.

As a civilian, I have worked in West Africa as a security sector reform consultant to the UN; then as a humanitarian programme manager and operations director reducing the negative impacts of rogue ex-combatant groups small arms, ammunition and unexploded ordnance in conflict-prone communities.

My military service, including operational tours in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and my time working in Africa has given me a solid grounding in the theory and conduct of military operations and the impact of war. I have a Masters degree in Military Strategic Studies and I am a graduate of the Italian Joint Forces Higher Command and Staff College. I bring this experience with a lifelong interest in military history to my battlefield tours, offering clients a coherent strategic, operational and tactical perspective. I work hard to ensure that the memory of those who fought is properly honoured and respected.

I am a fluent Italian speaker and can get by at colloquial level in German which helps considerably with tour management.

I am accredited with the International Guild of Battlefield Guides and work as a freelance guide for a number of companies, including Staffride, Albatross Tours, Galloway Travel and Battle Honours. This means that I work with adult groups, schools and military units. I also work privately for individuals, families and groups to deliver bespoke tours in Italy, France, Belgium and Berlin.

Battles

ArrasBattle of AnzioBattle of the SommeCassinoGallipoliGothic LineGustav LineNormandy LandingsOperation BerlinSalernoWWIWWIIYpres

Countries

BelgiumEuropeFranceGermanyItalyTurkeyWestern Europe

Caters For

Adult Coach GroupsFamiliesIndividualsMilitary & VeteranSchool GroupsSmall Groups

Areas of Expertise

Wars covered:

  • First World War
  • Second World War

Areas of expertise:

First World War:

  • British Expeditionary Force 1914 -1918
  • Ypres 1914-1918
  • Somme 1916-1918
  • Arras 1917
  • ANZAC on the Western Front
  • Italian Front First World War

Second World War:

  • Rise of the Nazis
  • Normandy Landings
  • Salerno
  • Cassino
  • Anzio
  • Gustav Line
  • Gothic LineSoviet Operation Berlin

Other specialisms:

  • Tactics, operations and strategy
  • Leadership studies
  • Assistance with research