About Me
While every ceremony I create is centred entirely around you and your loved ones, it’s important you know that you’re in experienced and trusted hands. Here's a little about who I am.
I was born and raised in a Yorkshire mining village, where a deep-rooted sense of duty and service ran through our family.
My great-grandfather was wounded twice in the First World War, my grandfather endured captivity in Stalag 8B during the Second World War, my father served as a Sergeant in the Northumberland Fusiliers, and both of my elder brothers proudly wore the maroon beret of the British Airborne Forces.
It was only natural that I, too, chose a life of service.
At 17 years old, I swore my Oath of Allegiance, beginning a military journey that would span 33 years. I served in the British Airborne Forces for 21 of those years before commissioning as an officer.
My operational tours took me across the globe, to Central America, Northern Ireland, Cyprus with the United Nations, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan (three times).
In 2006, I was awarded a Mention in Dispatches for valour after leading a small team of 9 British and 19 Afghan soldiers against a vastly larger enemy force of 1200 in Kajaki, Afghanistan.
This was an experience that shaped not only my career, but also my outlook on leadership, legacy, and remembrance.
Over the years, I’ve guided tours of the battlefields of Europe, sharing space and stories with veterans and military families whose courage and resilience left a lasting impression on me.
Those conversations sparked something deeper, a calling to ensure that the stories of service, sacrifice, and strength are never forgotten.
Today, as a military celebrant, I draw upon that lifetime of experience to craft ceremonies that truly honour the individual.
Whether marking a life of service, commemorating a loss, or celebrating a meaningful milestone, I bring authenticity, understanding, and a deep reverence for the Armed Forces community.
Each ceremony I create is shaped with care, dignity, and pride, because when we gather to remember, we also celebrate a life lived with purpose.
Ceremonies with Honour, Crafted by One Who Has Served
My Celebrant Journey
From Paratrooper to Welfare Officer to Celebrant – A Life of Service
My path to becoming a celebrant has been shaped by a lifelong commitment to honouring those who serve.
Alongside my operational military career, I also served as a Welfare Officer, supporting service families through some of life’s most difficult moments. Whether helping those who had lost loved ones or guiding families in times of need, it was a role I considered a true honour.
After retiring from the Regular Armed Forces, I trained with Civil Ceremonies Ltd and achieved the Level 3 Diploma in Funeral Celebrancy (QCF), the highest qualification available in this field.
These experiences deepened my understanding of empathy, dignity, and the importance of listening.
This unique blend of frontline service, welfare support, and specialist celebrant training allows me to deliver ceremonies with authenticity, sensitivity, and respect.
Every ceremony is tailored to reflect the individual and their journey, crafted with care and delivered with unwavering commitment.
