Would you like me to lead your group to a historic battlefield? I bring nearly 40 years of experience, world class expertise, and a passionate, engaging, accessible style of communication.
“Gary has led several superb tours for us. Gary’s effortless learning is matched by his personal warmth and sociability, which contribute so much to tour members’ experience. Gary is one of the outstanding historians of 20th century warfare and members were honoured to have him on tap and leading wide-ranging conversations, whether on the bus, or at the restaurant table. His warmth and generosity contributed hugely to the success of our tours with him.
Gary delivered a very bespoke tour for the Caledonian Club, focusing on the Normandy campaigns of 15th Scottish and 51st Highland Divisions, and brought the content and drama alive for us. Members loved his balance of effortless detail and big picture summary.
Dr Mitchell Leimon, Chairman, The Caledonian Club“We first met Gary Sheffield on a battlefield tour of the Somme in 2024. Gary was the expert guide. His knowledge and passion for this WWI battle area was truly impressive. Both my husband and I learned much from him on the tour. Gary’s knowledge is remarkable and his storytelling made it more engaging. It was a fantastic tour and thanks to Gary for making it so interesting!”
John and Deitra, Ottawa, Canada
“Professor Gary Sheffield has assisted in delivering quality battlefield tours and staff rides for Battle Honours for a number of years. He has the enviable ability to provide context and balance using an unrivalled breadth of knowledge of both World Wars. From the geo-political and strategic nature of the campaigns being studied, right down to the tactical experiences of an individual rifleman, Gary brings the battlefields to life in an engaging, entertaining and educational way for individuals and groups, whether they be enthusiasts or professional historians.”
Clive Harris MA, Director, Battle Honours [Battlefield Tour Company]
What is the difference between a ‘battlefield tour’ and a ‘staff ride’? Well, a staff ride is a specialised study of a battle ‘on the ground’ involving significant input from the members of the party, related to modern conflict, leadership and strategy, used by military and some civilian organisations such businesses.
I lead private groups, and parties from clubs, military units, schools, colleges and schools. I have recently taken a party from the Caledonian Club in London to the 1944 Normandy battlefields, having previously taken them to Waterloo and Ypres, and in 2026 I am taking a Livery Company, the Worshipful Company of Armourers, to the D-Day beaches. I also lead commercial tours for Battle Honours Limited, one of the UK’s leading battlefield tour companies.
I have particular expertise in the Western Front of the First World War. Most often I take parties to Ypres (Passchendaele), the Somme, and Arras/Vimy Ridge. My repertoire also includes (among others) Mons and Le Cateau, the 1915 British battles, 1918 battles of Amiens and the Hindenburg Line, Cambrai 1917, and Verdun 1916. Further afield, Gallipoli is one of my all time favourite battlefields to explore.
Another specialism is D-Day and the Normandy campaign of 1944. I particularly enjoy exploring some of the less well known battles of the campaign such as Operation Epsom, the British offensive near Caen in late June, and the American/British/Canadian/Polish struggle to close the Falaise Pocket in August. I also have much experience of leading tours and staff rides to other Second World War battlefields, including, among others, Italy (Anzio, Sicily, Salerno and Cassino), Holland (Arnhem), Egypt (El Alamein), France, (Dunkirk, Arras, Dieppe, St Valery, Sedan, Ardennes [Battle of Bulge]). I am preparing a tour to the Reichwald and the Rhineland to explore the 1945 campaigns.
My primary pre-twentieth century interests are in the Napoleonic Wars and the American Civil War (ACW). I have led tours to numerous Napoleonic-era battlefields including Waterloo (not just the battle of 18 June 1815, but the other three actions of the campaign), the Peninsular War of 1808-14 (such as Salamanca, Talavera, Fuentes d’Onoro, Albuera, and Badajoz), Nelson’s ill-fated raid on Tenerife in 1797, Maida 1806, and the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. I am preparing a tour to Austerlitz. Having worked in the Deep South, I’m fascinated by the ACW, and have led tours to Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chancellorsville, and Fredericksburg. The likes of Gettysburg, Antietam and First and Second Bull Run are on my bucket list!
Other pre-twentieth century battles to which I have led parties include Hastings 1066, Agincourt 1415, Edgehill 1642, Yorktown 1781, and the 1870 Franco-Prussian War battles of Gravelotte-St Privat, Mars-La-Tour and Sedan.
If you would like to discuss hiring me to lead a battlefield tour or staff ride, please get in touch. If you want to do all the admin yourself, and just hire me as a historian/guide, that’s absolutely fine. However, if you want someone else to do the organising, my partners at Battle Honours Limited will be happy to oblige.
