John's diverse background in the Royal Marines and Special Boat Service has undoubtedly influenced his adventurous spirit and love for the outdoors. His extensive training in mountain and arctic warfare, combat diving, skydiving, tracking, and sniper skills has equipped him with a unique set of abilities to thrive in challenging environm
John's diverse background in the Royal Marines and Special Boat Service has undoubtedly influenced his adventurous spirit and love for the outdoors. His extensive training in mountain and arctic warfare, combat diving, skydiving, tracking, and sniper skills has equipped him with a unique set of abilities to thrive in challenging environments.
Living in the French Alps has provided John with ample opportunities to pursue his outdoor passions. His love for telemark skiing, climbing, and mountaineering has taken him to numerous peaks throughout Europe, where he has showcased his skills and competed in local telemark competitions.
Even after leaving the military, John remains committed to maintaining his physical fitness and endurance. Owning and coaching two CrossFit gyms in Geneva and Chamonix has allowed him to stay in peak condition while also pushing his limits in various sporting events.
During his spare time in Sweden, John continues to seek out new adventures. Whether it's exploring local lakes by canoe, practising jujitsu and Muay Thai, hiking in the Italian Dolomites, embarking on expeditions, or telemark skiing during the winter months, he consistently pushes himself to new heights and embraces the challenges of outdoor exploration.
Born in 1949 to parents who had both experienced the full rigours of World War Two. My father, Gordon Lett, had been a regular soldier before that war, and served in North Africa before being captured at Tobruk.
He escaped from a prisoner of war camp in Italy in September 1943, and remained behind the lines fighting with the Italian parti
Born in 1949 to parents who had both experienced the full rigours of World War Two. My father, Gordon Lett, had been a regular soldier before that war, and served in North Africa before being captured at Tobruk.
He escaped from a prisoner of war camp in Italy in September 1943, and remained behind the lines fighting with the Italian partisans for eighteen months, based in the high valley of Rossano in Northern Tuscany. He was recruited in 1944, whilst still behind enemy lines, by the Special Operations Executive, Major General Colin Gubbins’ Secret Service.
He remained in the Intelligence Community for many years after the war, and was a founder member of Gubbins’ Special Forces Club.
When my father died in 1989, he left me an extraordinary inheritance amongst the people with whom he lived and fought in Italy. In the eyes of many of the older inhabitants of the Rossano valley and its surrounding villages, my father was a great hero, and many historical doors are open to me as a result that are closed to others.
Born in 1949 to parents who had both experienced the full rigours of World War Two. My father, Gordon Lett, had been a regular soldier before that war, and served in North Africa before being captured at Tobruk.
He escaped from a prisoner of war camp in Italy in September 1943, and remained behind the lines fighting with the Italian parti
Born in 1949 to parents who had both experienced the full rigours of World War Two. My father, Gordon Lett, had been a regular soldier before that war, and served in North Africa before being captured at Tobruk.
He escaped from a prisoner of war camp in Italy in September 1943, and remained behind the lines fighting with the Italian partisans for eighteen months, based in the high valley of Rossano in Northern Tuscany. He was recruited in 1944, whilst still behind enemy lines, by the Special Operations Executive, Major General Colin Gubbins’ Secret Service.
He remained in the Intelligence Community for many years after the war, and was a founder member of Gubbins’ Special Forces Club.
When my father died in 1989, he left me an extraordinary inheritance amongst the people with whom he lived and fought in Italy. In the eyes of many of the older inhabitants of the Rossano valley and its surrounding villages, my father was a great hero, and many historical doors are open to me as a result that are closed to others.
Our American cousin Mitch is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces soldier with a lifelong appreciation for the mind’s ability to motivate the body to accomplish the impossible. During his military service, he trained in winter, mountain, and desert warfare, waterborne operations, and unconventional warfare.
Mitch was one of the first America
Our American cousin Mitch is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces soldier with a lifelong appreciation for the mind’s ability to motivate the body to accomplish the impossible. During his military service, he trained in winter, mountain, and desert warfare, waterborne operations, and unconventional warfare.
Mitch was one of the first Americans to take up the sport of adventure racing in the 1990s, and has competed in and finished the Raid Gauloises in Argentina, as well as the Eco-Challenge in Utah, British Columbia, and Australia. He was the lead instructor at the Eco-Challenge Adventure School in Malibu, California, and operated his own corporate adventure team building program in San Diego, California and Aspen, Colorado.
Honouring the veterans and history of WWII special operations is very important to Mitch. He is an astute student of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and has counted American Jedburghs as his friends and “Army buddies.” It is only fitting that we have recruited him to serve as our American Ambassador for SOE Expeditions.
Stein, a native of Trøndelag in the heart of Norway, has always been captivated by the outdoors, drawn to its ever-changing beauty throughout the seasons. While most of his adult life unfolded in the southern and eastern regions of Norway, his passion for winter, snow, and skiing remained unwavering.
From his childhood, he actively engag
Stein, a native of Trøndelag in the heart of Norway, has always been captivated by the outdoors, drawn to its ever-changing beauty throughout the seasons. While most of his adult life unfolded in the southern and eastern regions of Norway, his passion for winter, snow, and skiing remained unwavering.
From his childhood, he actively engaged in cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, and telemark skiing, finding joy and fulfilment in the exhilarating winter activities.
Beyond his love for the natural world, Stein is deeply committed to the history of World War II, particularly the individuals who made a significant impact in the fight for their country. His interests range from well-known figures in Kompani Linge to the lesser-known heroes whose contributions played a vital role in Norway's wartime struggles.
Stein's dedication extends to researching routes and tracks of historical events, with a special focus on World War II stories. His guiding motto, "We must never forget," underscores the importance of passing on historical knowledge to the younger generations.
A trained physical education teacher, Stein has continuously sought to push his own physical limits. His background in the Norwegian Army, where he served in a Field Artillery battery, and subsequent education as an Intelligent Officer in the Norwegian Home Guard over the past 25 years, has provided him with invaluable experience in planning operations.
This diverse background, combined with his passion for outdoor life and civilian education, has equipped Stein with skills and experiences in survival training, both in summer and winter conditions.
Driven by his unwavering enthusiasm for preserving and sharing the rich history of his homeland Stein is passionate about exploring the historic events on Norwegian soil.
Kate is a highly respected public speaker, author, and historian, renowned for her expertise on the Special Operations Executive (SOE).
With a PhD in history from the University of Leeds, she has earned widespread recognition for her work, including her critically acclaimed first book, Mission France – The True Story of the Women of SOE,
Kate is a highly respected public speaker, author, and historian, renowned for her expertise on the Special Operations Executive (SOE).
With a PhD in history from the University of Leeds, she has earned widespread recognition for her work, including her critically acclaimed first book, Mission France – The True Story of the Women of SOE, published in 2021. This book was shortlisted for both the Polly Corrigan Book Prize and the Society for Army Historical Research First Book Prize.
Kate has delivered talks at prestigious events and venues such as the Chalke Valley History Festival, We Have Ways Festival, Chelsea History Festival, and the Natural History Museum. Her insights have also been featured at the Special Forces Club, University of Warwick, National Army Museum, Royal Armouries, British Embassy in Paris.
Dr. Kate Vigurs, is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a visiting academic in the Department of Political & International Studies at the University of Warwick. She is currently working on Mission Europe, a new book commissioned by Yale University Press, which explores the roles of women secret agents across Europe.
Supported by funding from the Gerry Holdsworth Special Forces Charitable Trust, she has recently completed the manuscript and is planning several exciting research projects in the field of Second World War studies.
Ross Cable has pursued a lifelong interest in military history. He spent 26 years in the Australian Regular Army, then Reserve and moved to Europe after ‘retirement.’ Ross’ final role in the Army was as the staff officer in charge of military staff rides.
Tours in that role included: Okinawa, Papua New Guinea, Borneo and Malaysia / Singap
Ross Cable has pursued a lifelong interest in military history. He spent 26 years in the Australian Regular Army, then Reserve and moved to Europe after ‘retirement.’ Ross’ final role in the Army was as the staff officer in charge of military staff rides.
Tours in that role included: Okinawa, Papua New Guinea, Borneo and Malaysia / Singapore. Ross also co-authored a battlefield guidebook for the Malayan Campaign with WO2 Paul Knapp, RAR. Ross’s operational service was limited to UN observer duties in Syria and Lebanon.
This allowed extensive historical travel throughout these countries and to Israel. He has also visited and reconnoitred battlefields across the Asia-Pacific, Russia, Eastern and Western Europe and the US Civil War.
Ross is an Academy Graduate (ADFA) with a honours degree in history. His thesis on the command of the 1st Australian Task Force in Vietnam was published in 2000.
Based in the south-east of England, Stephen Chambers is one of the leading military historians on the Gallipoli campaign. Even though this is his prime passion, he also has in-depth knowledge of many British military campaigns and battles that include Waterloo to the end of the Second World War.
Stephen is a freelance battlefield guide,
Based in the south-east of England, Stephen Chambers is one of the leading military historians on the Gallipoli campaign. Even though this is his prime passion, he also has in-depth knowledge of many British military campaigns and battles that include Waterloo to the end of the Second World War.
Stephen is a freelance battlefield guide, author and researcher specialising in British military history, from the redcoats to khaki.
When not writing, Stephen is on the Battlefield, continuing his research and guiding groups. The best way to study a campaign is to walk in the footsteps of those involved, whether in the grasslands of Zululand, the mud of Flanders or the beaches of Normandy.
Stephen is a Trustee of the Gallipoli Association and a member of the Western Front Association and Orders and Medals Research Society. He is also an accredited member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides, Badge No.75.
Commando Historian at SOE Expeditions Ed Wilson. Ed brings a wealth of experience from his distinguished career as a former Commando and International Expedition Leader.
Ed Wilson brings a wealth of experience and deep expertise in Commando history to our team. Serving in the Royal Marines from 1980 to 2004, Ed was part of several distingu
Commando Historian at SOE Expeditions Ed Wilson. Ed brings a wealth of experience from his distinguished career as a former Commando and International Expedition Leader.
Ed Wilson brings a wealth of experience and deep expertise in Commando history to our team. Serving in the Royal Marines from 1980 to 2004, Ed was part of several distinguished units, including 42 Commando and Commachio Group.
He currently holds leadership roles as Chairman of the Highland Branch RMA and Vice Chairman of the Scotland & Northern Ireland Region RMA, and is an active member of the Commando Association.
Ed is also the founder of The Scott Sutherland Project & Trail and The International Commando Heritage Trust & Trail, demonstrating his commitment to preserving and honouring Commando history.
As a member of the Royal Marines Historical Society and an approved Achnacarry CBTC Tour Guide, his extensive knowledge and passion in this field are unmatched.