Richard Holmes

Richard Holmes is Professor of Military and Security Studies at Cranfield University and the Royal Military College of Science. For many years he taught military history at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst before leaving for a spell of full-time military service. His books include The Little Field Marshal: Sir John French; Firing Line; The Road to Sedan; Riding the Retreat; Redcoat; and Wellington: The Iron Duke. He has presented several BBC TV series, including War Walks and The Western Front, and wrote the accompanying books. He enlisted into the Territorial Army in 1965 and rose to the rank of brigadier. He was the first reservist to hold the post of Director of Reserve Forces and Cadets in the Ministry of Defence, retiring in 2000.