Adrian spent 16 years as a professional soldier, including in the British Parachute Regiment and the Royal Signals. This gives you a unique perspective from not only a soldiers view but also from the workings of command at Divisional and Corps level. Since leaving the Army he has worked in the City of London, successfully run his own business and latterly, worked as a teacher before settling at LaRougerie Farm. With his love of teaching and as a trained and entertaining teacher he can impart knowledge to all ages. This makes Adrian your natural choice when choosing the most suitable guide... he doesn't just show you pictures and recite a learnt speech!
His interest in guiding was sparked by his father’s experiences in WWII (landing in Europe as part of the Airborne Signals) and the many soldiers, veterans and families he has had the privilege of meeting and befriending since. His personal experience allows him to weave the stories into an entertaining drama, merging the specifics with the broader scope. This ensures you benefit from different perspectives, including the thoughts of the soldiers involved, the operational and tactical perspectives as well as the underlying historical, political and social factors that contributed to the war and led to the specific Normandy campaign. A patient flexible extemporaneous speaker, he will both distill the battles into simple images yet also delve into the specifics, as required. It is rare for Adrian to require notes and is equally capable of presenting to a crowd as to a small group.
Adrian lives in the heart of Normandy in St Fromond, where fighting occurred for a month in June and July 1944. He also runs LaRougerie Farm proving very popular with those visitors wishing to have a highly personalised yet relaxing experience. Tours can be on land (normally Range Rover to visit sites rarely visited and never by the plushie vans!), under water (diving ship wrecks), or even by air – the choice is led by you, the customer and further details can be found on this site.
He is a member of the European Tour Operators’ Association and is in the Guild of Battlefield Guides. He is professionally registered in France as a battlefield guide. His first language is English but Adrian can also guide in French and speaks some German.
Roy ONeill
Specialist Infantryman Welsh Regiment. Forward Signalman Royal Corps Signals and 2coy 1st Airborne Signals
Kings Pin
WW2 veteran and friend who lived locally.