Stephen Oliver Crockett

Stephen was born and raised near Glasgow in Scotland. From early childhood he enjoyed listening to stories from family & friends who had fought in the battlefields of both the 1st & 2nd World Wars.

In 1982 at just 17 years old he enlisted in the British Army. After completing basic training he was dispatched to West Germany where he served with units of the 4th & 3rd Armoured Divisions of 1 BR Corps in readiness for an anticipated Soviet invasion. During this period, he also completed operational tours in the South Atlantic & Canada.

In 1988 Stephen joined the British contingent of the Allied Command Europe (ACE) Mobile Force, a Multi National quick reaction brigade comprising 14 NATO states. After qualifying in Arctic Warfare Training he overwintered in Norway every year.

During this time he also participated in other operations / training exercises around the world including the Arabian Gulf in March 1991, as well as visiting with the USMC at camp Lejeune & US Army at Fort Bragg.

In 1988 Stephen joined the British contingent of the Allied Command Europe (ACE) Mobile Force, a Multi National quick reaction brigade comprising 14 NATO states. After qualifying in Arctic Warfare Training he overwintered in Norway every year. During this time he also participated in other operations / training exercises around the world including the Arabian Gulf in March 1991, as well as visiting with the USMC at camp Lejeune & US Army at Fort Bragg.

From 1993 to 1996 he served in the British 5th Parachute Brigade and during this time he was deployed to Africa and Europe.

In 1996 Stephen left the military to begin a new career with the UK Police. He started his training with Hampshire Constabulary South England, where he specialised as a member of the Rapid Entry & arrest team dealing with the most dangerous & violent offenders.

In 2000 he qualified as Detective & in 2004 undertook a role within UK Counter Terrorism. In 2006 he transferred to the Metropolitan police & began working in the Specialist Crime Directorate New Scotland Yard London. Over the next 13 years he undertook many varied investigative / management roles in Homicide & Serious Organised Crime investigations before finally retiring in 2019.

Passionate about Military History, Stephen has been lucky enough to visit many battlefield sites of World 1 & ll all over Europe & North Africa as well as US civil war sites Fort Sumter Charleston & Gettysburg Pennsylvania. He has also participated in many charity sports events such as Pedalling from London to Paris, & the London marathon as well as organising Help for Heroes fundraising events. To raise money for UK injured service personnel & the annual British Legion remembrance Poppy Appeal.

Since retiring Stephen has continued to research military actions of the Normandy landings in June 1944, in particular the events & individual stories of those involved in Operation Cobra breakout. So it comes as no surprise that he jumped at the chance to become a guide of the landing beaches and the Battle of Normandy.