Project Management

Mark Brennan – Project Leader

“As a community we owe a lot to those who went before and this project allows us to tell their story and create a lasting tribute.”

— Mark Brennan

Mark Brennan

Mark is a retired Army Officer who served for 29 years. He currently runs his own business in Hadleigh and is the Chairman of the Hadleigh & District Branch of the Royal British Legion. He has a long standing interest in the Great War and is an active Battlefield Guide. Mark is keen to involve as many people as possible in the project, especially from the younger generation.

Nigel Crisp – Local historian / Researcher

“With the Great War Project, the buzz comes in finding someone you actually knew during your childhood”

— Nigel Crisp

Nigel Crisp

Having lived his early years in Layham, Nigel moved to Hadleigh in 1956 to the same house in Angel Street where he and his wife now live. They have 3 grown up children and 4 grandchildren. After a career in engineering, he has now retired to spend time with his life time’s passion for local and social history.

Jeff Ward – Local historian / Researcher

“I can never find out enough about these quiet heroes. Their gallant stories must be recorded for the community and for posterity.”

— Jeff Ward

Jeff was born in Layham in 1934, but moved to West Norfolk as a child. In later life he joined British Rail and returned to Hadleigh as the Station Master from 1959 to 1965. He now lives in Colchester and has had a long interest in family history, tracing his links with Layham back to at least 1500. He also has an abiding interest in the Great War and the soldiers who served.