In 1914, Princess Mary, the only daughter of King George V, was just 17. She conceived the idea of sending a Christmas gift to all those serving in uniform, ‘afloat and at the front' and with great determination, set about the task. Peter Doyle tells the story of this extremely sophisticated gift, which by 1919, had reached some 2.7 million people from across the British Empire.
Peter Doyle specialises in the understanding of military terrain, with special reference to the two World Wars. He is also an author who focusses on the British experience of war, and the material culture of war. A member of the British Commission of Military History, and secretary of the Parliamentary All Party War Heritage Group.
He is the author of many works of military history and the material culture of warfare.
A regular speaker at conferences and in invited lectures, he has given numerous specialist battlefield talks and battlefield tours, and worked as a consultant on archaeological digs both at home and abroad.
He is professor of history and head of research at London South Bank University.
