Talks
Below are the current talks I can give to your organisation at a venue of your choice. Please contact me for booking details. I regularly give talks to historical societies, community groups, schools, and museums.
Hidden in Plain Sight: Reminders of WW2 in the New Forest
During the Second World War the New Forest area saw a huge amount of activity. It was home to several airfields, training areas, D-Day camps and an embarkation point, a secret spy school, a POW camp, traps were set for invading armies, and it was also the scene of the biggest ever bomb dropped on UK soil. This presentation takes the form of a photo tour and talk on areas of the New Forest you will be familiar with, but showing you things left over from the war you might not have noticed before, and the stories behind them.
History of RAF Beaulieu: Airfield Stories & What Remains
The history of Beaulieu Airfield from the lead-up to its construction, into wartime, and through to modern day. The talk includes never before seen photography and film from the airfield, tales of bravery, inspiring stories and strange events that happened at the RAF and USAAF Station, plus tributes to the many men who lost their lives. It also includes a visual tour of what remains today.
Noor Inayat Khan: A Spy Descended from Royalty, Trained in Beaulieu, Murdered in Dachau
The extraordinary true story of Noor Inayat Khan – code name “Madeleine”. She was the first female wireless operator sent undercover into occupied France. This talk traces her Sufi upbringing and family background descended from Indian royalty, to her training in Beaulieu, before her perilous missions for the SOE, capture, and ultimate sacrifice at Dachau concentration camp where she was executed.
RAF Needs Oar Point: A Story Rarely Told
For three short, yet eventful months in WW2, the peace of farmer’s fields south of Buckler’s Hard was shattered by the arrival of four squadrons of Typhoon fighter bombers and lorries full of men. Some have said that this was the busiest airfield on D-Day. But just how true is this? This talk investigates the stories of Needs Oar Point and shows how agricultural land near Park Farm and St Leonards was converted into a wartime airfield. The story of RAF Needs Oar Point is one that has rarely been told despite the role it played in wartime. The talk includes never before seen photography and film, tales of bravery, inspiring stories, and how tragedy and high casualty rates struck the young men who flew from these local fields of green.
Wings Over the Forest: The New Forest’s Aviation Pioneers
The New Forest has a rich aviation history; from the early dreamers and inventors, to the pioneers of Great War aircraft. This presentation explores the innovative spirit of those magnificent men and their flying machines. Expect tales of adventure, bravery, sacrifice, plus many strange inventions that didn’t quite take flight.
The Beaulieu River at War
Prior to war the Beaulieu River was a sleepy waterway, but once requisitioned by the navy, witnessed an incredible amount of activity. The fear of invasion also led to the village being set as a trap for invading forces. As war progressed, the estate was used to prepare for D-Day, including secret tests being conducted on the water. Aspects of the Mulberry Harbour were also constructed locally, and the historical Buckler’s Hard shipyard pivoted to the production of naval vessels. The talk also includes a visual tour showing leftover elements from the war that are hidden in plain sight.
RAF Lymington: An American Airfield in the New Forest
Uncover the remarkable story of RAF Lymington – a temporary wartime airfield that became home to the USAAF for just three pivotal months during World War II. In this engaging talk, Marc Heighway traces the journey of the American airmen from their departure in New York to combat missions flown from the fields of Lymington. With rare photographs and gripping tales of bravery, hear how P-47 Thunderbolt pilots launched from this rural corner of the New Forest to support the D-Day invasion. A powerful and little-known chapter of local history brought vividly to life.
The Waterside at War
Stories of the Waterside villages of Blackfield, Dibden, Dibden Purlieu, Fawley, Hardley, Holbury, Hythe & Marchwood during wartime, and how the local communities banded together to protect and serve the area. Find out how the local Home Guard and Air Raid Precautions were organised, how defensive and anti-invasion measures were set-up, the roles people took on, how local companies pivoted for wartime, where the bombs fell, and the lead up to D-Day… plus what remains you can still spot in the Waterside that are leftover from WW2.
