Susie Cooper

Battlefield Historian / Member IGBG

Ian Gumm guiding at Waterloo

Susie guiding guiding on the battlefield.

A passionate, hardworking, and diligent individual, Susie prides herself on her ability to get things done. A logical thinker, she can solve problems quickly and efficiently, whilst remaining professional, friendly, and approachable at all times. Unflappable, Susie remains calm in a crisis as evidenced by her actions at the scene of a road traffic accident in 2016 for which she was awarded a Commander Field Army’s commendation. She works equally well alone or as a member of a team.

Susie served as a regular soldier with The Royal Corps of Signals for 23 years. In 2020, she transferred to the Army Reserve and gained a commission, becoming an officer within the Corps.

Throughout her regular service, Susie served in a variety of units and formations which saw her deploy all over the world, on various large-scale exercises and operational tours: e.g. Germany, Canada, The Falkland Islands (BFSAI), Iraq and Afghanistan.

Susie attended her first battlefield study in 1997 whilst in basic training. Since then, she has attended, organised, guided, and become the SME for Battlefield Studies within the units in which she served throughout her military career.

Since completing her regular service Susie has become a self-employed battlefield guide and tour manager, and regularly carries out both roles simultaneously.

Susie has worked for HQ Initial Training Group and has been responsible for the delivery of the Realities of War (RoW) initial training package for up to 48 recruits and their permanent staff on several occasions. During the pandemic, she was instrumental in planning, developing, and delivering an online RoW package. This was subsequently delivered within the confines of military barracks within the UK, following strict government guidelines, prior to returning to the battlefields post-pandemic.

As an Army Reserve Officer, Susie has led several battlefield studies for both regular and reserve British Army units. This is a role that has seen her work alongside some high-profile and senior academics both as a tour manager and a co-deliverer. She recently received a letter of thanks from the General Officer Commanding of Army Recruiting Initial Training Command, Major General T H Bewick OBE, which praised her organisational skills and delivery style.

She is a volunteer guide for the CWGC, at their Harrogate and Brookwood sites, and her research on several of the soldiers is regularly used by the CWGC on their tours at Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery.

Susie has also delivered several virtual lectures, including a talk to The University of Buckingham at their annual War Studies symposium for MA and PhD students.

Always looking for a new challenge, Susie recently became a Tour Manager for Great Rail Journeys and Rail Discoveries. In this role, she leads groups of up to 40 customers on escorted rail holidays all over the UK and Europe.

Susie is a Member of the International Guild of Battlefield Guides and the holder of a Level 7 Qualification in Leadership and Management.

Address


In The Footsteps Tours Limited
5 Abbotts Close
Greytree
Ross-on-Wye
Herefordshire
HR9 7GQ
United Kingdom

Registered Number:  15460642

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