Lieutenant Colonel Robert Wiles

Tour Leader and Jeep Driver No 1

Robert served for over 39 years as both soldier and officer with the 13th/18th Royal Hussars (QMO) and The Light Dragoons. Retiring into civilian industry 6 years ago he is currently the Chairman of JDT Utilities Ltd, a primary sponsor of this tour and active supporter of the Light Dragoons’ charity. (JDT’s founder and CEO is also a Light Dragoon)

An enthusiastic regimental historian and part-time tour guide, he has taken battlefield tours to WW2 sites across Europe, and especially to Normandy to study the exploits of 13/18H on D-Day and the campaigns that followed.

He is the proud owner of a 1942 Willys MB Jeep, marked up as HQ Squadron 13/18H and as it would have been on 6th June 1944.

He will be our principal historical guide and commemorative event lead. His depth of knowledge and military experience will add to your enjoyment of your day with us.

Mr Howard Witt

Jeep Driver No 2

Howard’s interest in military vehicles started when he visited a military vehicle show in Kent in year 2000. As he couldn’t squeeze a tank or tracked vehicle into his garage the next best thing was a Jeep, and fortunately he has a few friends that do have other interesting military vehicles that he can also drive. However, he liked the first Jeep so much that he has now fully restored four very different Jeeps and two of these will be in operation on this tour. He will be driving a very early production 1941 Willys MB Jeep. Howard has also visited Normandy on many occasions and is really looking forward to sharing this adventure.

Howard has read all the books written about the mighty Jeep and will be only too happy to share his knowledge with you on your day with us.

Mr Nigel Martin

Jeep Driver No 3

Nigel has a background in engineering and 15 years lecturing at Weymouth College in automotive engineering. Nigel has been a volunteer at Bovington Tank Museum for 25 years helping to restore several vehicles and specialising in carburettor renovation for Tiger 131, Panzer III and Churchill tanks. His knowledge is very extensive and full of interesting stories.

Nigel started driving Jeeps five years ago and has been involved in various military vehicle events in Dorset and Normandy as well as helping to service and repair a number of Jeeps. Nigel will be driving a 1943 Ford GPW Jeep

Mr Kev Delves

Admin and Logistic Support

Kev served a full 22 year career with The Light Dragoons, including tours in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. He specialised in Tank Gunnery and held senior training roles at the Royal Armoured Corps Gunnery school and the live training unit in BATUS Canada. Retiring as a WO1 he now works for JDT Utilities Ltd and is on loan to this tour.

Kev is an enthusiastic student of regimental history and will be adding value with his experiences of contemporary armoured vehicle warfare and how they relate to fighting in WW2. He will be supporting and sustaining us as he relives a previous Army role of SQMS. We’ll be well looked after.

Mr Roy Osmond

Mechanic and Breakdown Recovery

Recently retired, Roy spent his working life as blacksmith and welder fabricator who can turn his hand to anything. An accomplished mechanic and motorcycle / military vehicle enthusiast, he has been given leave from home to provide mechanic support to the tour.

Roy has made a significant contribution to the safety of our nation, all three of his sons have, or are serving the country, his oldest has just retired from the Navy, and two sons are still serving with the Royal Marines. Roy is an aspiring Jeep owner.

Mrs Helen Wiles

Executive Transfer Driver and "Fixer"

Helen served for seven years in the Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC) and Royal Logistic Corps, the highlight being her deployment to Bosnia with the Cheshire’s Battle Group at the start of the UN involvement in the bloody Balkan civil war. She also served with The Light Dragoons in Germany.

Helen is a reluctant military historian having been dragged across too many battlefield sites by her nerdy husband Robert during their 32 years of marriage.

Helen is our executive transfer driver and will whisk our customers across Europe in a Land Rover Discovery back to the RV point and their own waiting transport.