David Bardell

Location: Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
About the Speaker...

Having retired from a career in IT and Business Project Management, continued to build up a strong knowledge and interest in Military History.
Working with a friend, Mick Byrne, we have developed a compelling passion for WWI history. We have visited Belgium/France for several years to research our WWI and WWII interests.
We’d like to share our stories with Groups. It is the background and stories of the Events which receives our (and hopefully your) attention.

We have also recently started to develop and deliver our own Battlefield Tours around Ypres and the Somme.

About the Talks...

The talks last between 45 minutes and one hour. We bring our own equipment – laptop, projector, screen, speaker, voice amplifier.

Fee:

We charge £80 plus travel expenses at 45p per mile.  We operate in and around the areas of West Midlands, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Shropshire and anywhere else within 60 miles of home.

My Contact Details:
Phone:

07889 716291

A Right Royal Couple

Public Speaker in Staffordshire presents his talk A Right Royal Couple

2022 saw our late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee; 70 years on the throne before her death on 8 September 2022 following her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, having died 2 years earlier on 9 April 2021.

We have seen lots of footage of them both over the last 2 years in the media, but our talk looks at lesser known facts about them with humorous stories that we have witnessed at different events.

We are all aware of their unstinting devotion to duty and service but our talk will add a different dimension to what you already know about this amazing couple.

The Falklands Conflict

2022 sees the 40th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict. Our story looks at the reasons why Argentina chose to invade the Falklands in 1982 and all the political wrangling behind the scenes to avert the conflict.
The Falklands War is the last conflict since WW2 to see all the branches of our Armed Forces in action together.

We chart the British Task Force, their victories and losses, the incredible acts of valour by our service personnel including two Victoria Cross recipients.

Concluding with the eventual recovery of the Falklands Islands.

The Great War - Shot at Dawn

Between 1914 and 1920, more than 3,000 British soldiers were sentenced to death by courts martial for desertion, cowardice, striking an officer, disobedience, falling asleep on duty or casting away arms.

However, only 346 were actually executed with 37 of these having committed capital crimes such as murder. The remaining 309 become the centrepiece of our Talk.

We explain the Background to how these events unfolded; we pick out a handful of examples and tell their stories; we explain how they were finally pardoned after 90 years of disgrace to their families.

The Great War - Crimson Fields

This is the story of Nurses and Surgeons who served on the front line in the Great War 1914-1918.

We tell the compelling stories of a number of these Heroines and Heroes, such as Edith Cavell, Nellie Spindler, Noel Chavasse and John McCrae.

We talk about QAIMNS, VAD and FANY nurses.

Also, the treatments and procedures developed by these extraordinary individuals and how they pioneered the direction of the whole medical profession today.

The Great War - The Unknown Warrior

This talk tells the story of Remembrance and Comradeship in the Great War.

We start with the Christmas Truce of 1914 through to friendships made at Toc H from 1915.

The amazing story of how the poppy became a symbol of Remembrance;

The creation of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC); and we recount the true story of the only woman buried at Lijssenthoek Cemetery along with 10,000 men.

We look at The Menin Gate, Tyne Cot and Thiepval for those with no known grave and then we finish with the moving story of The Unknown Warrior.

Warriors All

Acts of valour by men and animals since The Great War.

This talk tells the stories of both Men and Animals, their devotion to duty, amazing stories of bravery and selflessness. Both Men and Animals showed they were Fearless, Relentless, Diligent and Resolute.  We will tell stories of VC recipients spanning from WW1 to the present day and about Animals awarded the Dickin Medal over the same time period.

The Victoria Cross has only been awarded 1,358 times since its inception in 1856.

The Dickin Medal, regarded as the VC for Animals, has been awarded 71 times since its creation in 1943.

VE Day

Although VE Day is the 8 May 1945, the road to VE Day started on 1st September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland.
Our talk will remember some of the key events during WW2, through some of the highs and lows, victories and losses.
We will be remembering all the celebrations held up and down the country in the form of street parties which would always inevitably include that great British tradition of tea drinking. We have been a nation of tea drinkers since the reign of Queen Victoria in the 19th century – a good cuppa will always give you a lift.

So, as part of the Talk we will add some interesting tea facts.

 

The Forgotten Army

This is the story of the 14th Army commanded by General Bill Slim in World War 2 in Burma, who eventually defeated the Japanese Imperial Army on the 15 August 1945; now referred to as VJ Day.

We tell stories of the journey to VJ Day, from the fall of Singapore in February 1942 and the construction of the Burma and Sumatra railways, to the creation of the Chindits, and the dropping of the Atomic Bombs leading to the surrender of the Japanese Imperial Army.

Video Introduction Preview

Testimonials

In The Ballroom welcomed back David and Mick for our July social. The talk, which featured lesser known facts about our late Queen and her husband Philip, had the audience spellbound.

Several guests were seen dabbing their eyes when the late Queen’s funeral was shown.

David and Mick have a wonderful way with words and bring their stories to life. The 63 guests were delighted with the marvellous and moving afternoon and declared they were proud to be British.

Everyone stood up up at the end when God Save the King was played. Well done David and Mick!

Unlocking Warwick
A Right Royal Couple on July 2024

 

Mick’s talk was both informative and moving. It was very professionally presented with old photographs and voices used to good effect. His wide-ranging stories and anecdotes kept everyone spell-bound. There is something to interest everyone in this talk.

Alstonefield & District RVS Friendship Club
Crimson Fields on April 2024

 

Many thanks to you and Mick for coming to our branch and speaking to us on such an evocative subject in respect of which people will inevitably hold differing views. As the meeting broke up I picked up a general sense that members had enjoyed the talk and had found it informative. A couple of emails have also been received to that effect.

North Staffs / South Cheshire Western Front Association
Shot At Dawn on March 2024

 

Having read the reviews on Crimson Fields we eagerly awaited David & Mick’s talk , and we weren’t disappointed. The fact that you couldn’t hear a pin drop spoke volumes. It was so professionally delivered and our members were engrossed. The amount of information and individual stories were amazing and it was obvious that they were passionate about the subject.
A big thank you for a wonderful evening from all our members, looking forward to another talk next year.

Marston Green 50+
Crimson Fields on November 2023

 

David and Mick paid their fourth visit to Burntwood Family History Group last night. That comment in itself shows what brilliant speakers they are. On this occasion, they presented their talk on “The Forgotten Army”, a harrowing description of the war in the far east. They handled this topic with sensitivity and respect, above all telling the true story of the cruelty and harsh reality that the British soldiers and civilians went through. Interlaced with anecdotes of a more personal nature, their presentation gave us a fascinating insight into that dark period in British history.  Their use of a wide range of media really added to the poignancy of the evening, especially so given the harrowing nature of the content. It was a very special evening and our members were universal in their praise for the talk. Little wonder that we have already booked them for a return in 2024.

BURNTWOOD FAMILY HISTORY GROUP
FORGOTTEN ARMY on 9th October 2023

 

I first met David Bardell and Mick Byrne last year when they came and gave a talk on the Forgotten Army, which went down very well, because one of our members husband served in Burma during World War Two.
They came back this April 2023 and the talk was “Crimson Fields”, all about the Nurses and Surgeons that served on the front line in the Great War.
They both have such a knowledge of the subject.
They are both funny entertaining and knowledgeable, a great afternoon was had by all.
All our members have asked if they will come back and give a talk on the The Royal Family, which is a new talk

Barbara Chambers
Crimson Fields on 13th April 2023

 

Your talk was well planned, well presented and held members attention, especially a couple of the older ladies. It was great that you brought along all your own equipment, which meant that everyone could hear and see you clearly. I personally thought the ties were fabulous.

Sue Horsfall
A Right Royal Couple – Albric WI on 14th March 2023

 

B/B History Revisited returned to Lichfield 41 Club in November to present “Shot at Dawn”, following their well-received Falklands War presentation in April. Both events were well presented, illustrated and audible, thanks to the use of their own dedicated equipment. Our members were very pleased to be both educated and entertained by David and Mick and wish me to pass on our sincere thanks.

Roger Hartley
Shot At Dawn – Lichfield 41 Club on 9th November 2022

 

David and Mick came to Banners Gate T.G. to present a talk named “Crimson Fields”. They were very well prepared with up to date use of technology. Members were able to see and hear everything clearly.
You think you know a lot about the first world war. Think again!!! Book this talk for your members and you will not be disappointed.

Sue Nation
Crimson Fields – Banners Gate Townswomen’s Guild on 21st July 2022

 

Today’s talk was a double act with a difference. In a week which saw the 40th Anniversary of the conflict in the South Atlantic, our two speakers displayed their extensive research in a presentation which intertwined the facts regarding the logistics of the campaign and personal stories of individuals who had significant roles in the events and their aftermath. Although many of the audience will have known some of the facts, names and events of 1982 the extra background details and particularly the personal stories in key individuals such as Simon Weston – individuals whom they have met – brought a personal insight into the suffering of those involved on both sides of the conflict.
This was one of those talks which at seventy five minutes did not have the audience fidgeting in their chairs wanting to get off for refreshments. We were enthralled by the content.

Bob Ireland
Falklands Conflict – Solihull Widney U3A on 17th June 2022

 

Your talk was really interesting and informative with humour to offset the more sombre aspects. You were both very professional, punctual and your love of the subject was clearly demonstrated. You had an audience of over 70 people and kept their attention throughout the hour long talk which was supplemented with a slideshow and audio including music and poetry.

Beverley Peet
Crimson Fields – Olton & District U3A on 14th June 2022

 

 

David and Mick came to give their talk ‘Shot at Dawn’ for Tamworth u3a yesterday at the Assembly Rooms. Although the topic is very moving there was appropriate humour in the way they delivered it. The talk is well illustrated with a power point presentation and the information is shared between them. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed this talk, and found it very thought provoking because it raised questions that will probably never be answered after all these years.
We will certainly consider asking David and Mick back at some time in the future to present one of the other topics they specialise in.

Judy Nestor
Shot at Dawn – Tamworth U3A on 19th May 2022

 

 

Mick and David were very professional from the booking stage and throughout the presentation. They arrived with all the equipment needed and with plenty of time to set up. The presentation they delivered was `Warriors All`. It had been well researched and was very informative with some nice personal touches. It kept the members attention and nobody got their knitting out. Always a good sign at our club that they were enjoying the morning.

Jan Mayhew
Warriors All – Hadley Five-O on 1st November 2021

David Bardell Contact Details:
Phone:

07889 716291

Send a message to David Bardell