Richard is the Founder of the Museum. Having found a 1937 pattern rucksack at the age of seven, he promtly filled it with his Fathers wartime uniform and equipment and declared that he was going to open a museum.
After 36 years of planning Richard finally opened the museum in 2004.
Richard worked for Ford Motor Company for nearly 42 years, as an Engineers and later as a Technical Specialist in 3D printing, and has a PhD in the subject.
Having retired from Ford in 2019, Richard set up a 3D Printer manufacturing company – Raplas Technologies with colleagues in the industry.
He now splits his time between his business and the museum, as well as other charities.
Ashleigh Percival-Borley is a military and gender historian having just completed an MA in War, Culture and Society and now currently studying an MA in Military History. Her past research focused on women’s history in a military context, examining discourses of gender and sexuality and how it interconnects with cultural representations of war in the twentieth century. She has researched widely on the SOE and the women who worked for F Section as secret agents during the Second World War, discussing how these remarkable women have been represented in popular history since 1945. Her future research will be in Critical Military Studies with a particular interest on women soldiers in the 1991 Gulf War.
Ashleigh’s passion for military history derives from her 13-year service in the Royal Army Medical Corp in the British Army, of which she served overseas on conflict and humanitarian operations.
Victoria is a Councillor and Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, where she is the Armed Forces Champion. She is also an independent panel member for the Judicial Appointment Commission.
Victoria is a published author on Commonwealth diplomacy and holds an MA in Diplomatic Law and Practice and a PhD in International Relations from the University of London.She has worked as a Director in Higher Education supervising PhD students, has been Director of an international think-tank and has worked for two FTSE100 companies in media. Victoria is an active volunteer in the community and a Scout Leader, an England Squash Coach and set up a social enterprise to engage young people and improve community cohesion.
Victoria is passionate about all things Commonwealth related and as part of an Armed Forces family, is using her skills and experience to help to promote and preserve our military heritage.
Jason is a digital marketing agency owner, historical swordsman and historical martial arts instructor.
He was co-founder of CavyRescue, the UK’s first dedicated pet rat charity and has helped many businesses and causes use the Internet to generate revenue.
In his spare time, he researches weaponry and combat systems from around the world with a particular interest in European and Japanese swords.
Deborah has over 25 years’ experience in leading complex research programmes, teams and businesses, with particular experience in the construction, defence, aerospace and engineering sectors. She has recognised success in exploitation of new data, information and innovation and the effective transfer of knowledge and development of skills.
She has particular expertise in driving organisational change in response to sustainability, measuring social value and in shared value collaboration and partnerships and was awarded an MBE for her work in setting up and leading the Government funded Construction Knowledge Transfer Network.
Deborah is a Fellow of the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, the Chartered Institute of Building and the Chartered Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. She is a Member of the Women’s Innovation Network, Chair of the Scholarships and Awards Committee for the Worshipful Company of Constructors and treasurer of their Charitable Trust.
