I was born in Prestatyn, Flintshire in 1964 and brought up in Chester from the age of five. As a boy I dreamed variously of playing scrum half for Wales and becoming the next Jimi Hendrix, but was disappointed to learn that talent was necessary to both endeavours. I attended University College of Wales, Swansea, in 1982, ostensibly to study Geography, but love of the sea meant that I left with a degree in Oceanography instead. From 1985 until 1997 I then enjoyed a varied and interesting career working as an oceanographer with Hunting Surveys in Borehamwood, Hydraulics Research in Oxfordshire and Sydney Water Board in Australia and the Ministry of Defence (Navy) in Bath. I have also been a shop assistant, vintner’s boy, street musician, delivery man, storeman, barman, labourer, driver, deckhand, painter and decorator, mystery customer, encyclopaedia salesman (although only for three days), and played a ‘discerning drinker’ in a television advertisement for ‘Toohey's Blue’ beer.

I also served in the Territorial Army for sixteen years after joining my local TA unit, 108 (Welsh) Field Squadron, Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) - in April 1983. I transferred to 3rd (Voluteer) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers in June 1985 and was commissioned a year later. In January 1989, I served with 1st Bn., Royal Welch Fusiliers in Ballykinler, Northern Ireland. While living in Australia in 1990-2, I was attached to 1st/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers of the Australian Army Reserve. On returning to Swansea I was appointed Intelligence Officer of 4th (V) Bn., Royal Regiment of Wales and from 1994 until the summer of 1999, I was SO3 G3 Watchkeeper attached to 4th Armoured Brigade. I took courses in close reconaissance, intelligence and psychological operations and developed an understanding of Joint operations and the importance of the Royal Navy and sea power through my job at MoD(N), and by participation in a high-level exercise at the Maritime Warfare School at HMS Dryad, subsequently attending the Joint Warfare Course at RM Poole.

I began writing in 1994 and have been a regular contributor to magazines including British Army Review, Military History, America’s Civil War, World War II, Vietnam and Osprey Military Journal. I completed two books for Osprey’s Campaign Series, Operation Compass 1940 and Tobruk 1941, before publishing Deception in War with John Murray in 2001 and have been ekeing a living from writing ever since. From September 2005 I will be teaching a module on 'The Desert War 1940-42' in the new BA degree scheme, 'War and Society', at University of Wales, Swansea.