I returned to guiding clients around the battlefields of the Great War Western Front professionally in 2019 after a gap of more than 10 years.
During the time when I was not guiding professionally, I returned to the battlefields in a private capacity many, many times to work on personal projects and to learn, explore and develop my understanding of the war of 1914 - 1918, and those who took part in it.
I returned to guiding largely due to the advice, encouragement, and recommendations of friends who themselves work full-time in the 'trade'. My passion for speaking about the Great War crops up in all but the briefest of conversations, and I am happiest when I am helping people to understand what happened in France and Belgium during a war that can be daunting in its enormity.

It is more than 30 years since I visited the old Western Front for the first time when, as a young soldier, I took part in a company exercise to Vimy Ridge and the 1916  Somme Battlefields. I credit that single day's visit as the entry point into a world that has moved, captivated and fascinated me ever since, triggering an appetite to study and learn more about the tumultuous events on the Western Front.
Initially exploring the military career of my grandfather, a Territorial Force Leeds Rifleman, I have become an accomplished and tenacious military researcher, and I have contributed credited biographical research work for several published books and journals. I have also submitted research work to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to have non-commemorated casualties granted War Graves status, identify soldiers buried as unknown casualties, and correct errors in entries on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Casualty Database. The standard of work required to prompt a change in the database in each of these categories is almost forensic. The work I will do for you will be of the same exacting standard.
Now, combining the experience I have in both disciplines, I offer my services as a researcher and guide to private clients, individuals and family groups, school groups, cadet and youth groups, ex-service clubs and associations; in fact anyone who is interested in making the journey to, and seeing for themselves, the Western Front Battlefields of the Great War.
I am a member of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides, the European Tour Operators Association, the Western Front Association and a number of other battlefield-based organisations. In 2020, I became a founding member of The Great War Group.
Since November 2022, I have lived in a rural village on the egde of the Somme Battlefields in Northern France.
I Tweet as @NigelGMarshall
All are welcome to 'Marshall's Battlefields'.