Served in the RCT from 1971 -1976 . CND supporter, antifa, peace activist .

Army veteran 16 years. VFP member 10 years, former Chairman, then Trustee of the old VFP UK. National speaker for VFP on militarisation of children, nuclear weapons, and veteran health.

I was also on the National list of speakers to accompany the documentary "War School" and lead for a while on the Neutral Britain campaign.

I joined the British Army in 1968 and went on to serve for 14 years in both regular and territorial service.

Over time, and through experience, I began to question the narratives I had been given about war and defence. I came to see that many military conflicts are driven less by the protection of people and more by the pursuit of oil, natural resources, and strategic dominance — reinforced through the expansion of overseas military bases.

Joined the army (Royal Signals) 1976 - 1990 served in several theatres and operational tours. After leaving, worked in the IT industry until forming a logistics company in 2005. After the company closed, worked in disability support for many years and volunteered in veterans advocacy. Became increasingly aware and angry at the growing issue of the costs of war, militarism and militarisation in Britain and worldwide. Was drawn to activism to try to redress the disinformation and propaganda from government, the military and arms industry. Joined Veterans for Peace UK in 2017 and served as chair for a while. Alongside other ex VFP UK members, we reformed VFP Britain in 2022 to build on and continue the work.
Recently retired and looking to continue the activism and support the disabled community as a volunteer.

Alan was born in Taunton, Somerset in 1949. He attended Monkton Heathfield Primary School and Huish's Grammar School. He joined the Royal Navy at age 16 in 1965, as a Marine Engineering Mechanic (stoker) He trained At HMS Raleigh, a shore base at Torpoint, Cornwall. After basic training he joined HMS Forth at Chatham. The ship then went to Singapore for a long term commission. After 18 months Alan returned to the UK and joined HMS Torquay, a ship of the Dartmouth Training Squadren. The ship spent time in Scandinavia and the Mediteranean. His next ship was HMS Puma where he spent 2 and a half years. During which the ship did a complete round the world voyage for 6 months plus a lot of time in the Meditaranaen. He was then shore based in Plymouth but joined HMS Fox for a short period on a loan draft and visited Monaco. He bought himself out of the Navy in 1972 at age 23.

After his time in the Royal Navy, Alan was looking for a new career. He tried plumbing and got a job as a maintenance engineer at the Holiday Inn, Plymouth, it's now called the Crowne Plaza, and he worked there for 4 years. He then thought that he would try to get into computers. He was lucky enough to get accepted onto a Government Sponsored TOPS training course in computer programming. He then spent 25 years working in the IT industry. Ten years for the Engineering Industry Training Board in Watford, Six years for British Gas in Enfield and nine years for Cap Gemini, in Bedford, Birmingham, Ware, Glasgow and Telford.

Alan currently lives in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. He is married with two daughters and four grandchildren.