The Plugstreet Archaeological Project The Team Sponsored by We are currently seeking a sponsor for this website as it follows the progress of the excavations on the battlefield, with contributions from established historians and well known experts, as the team attempt to match the historical evidence and family history to the archaeology on the ground. Please contact us for more details. If you enjoy this website please consider making a donation towards the costs of the project. The Plugstreet Project is lead by No-Man's-Land Archaeology Group, a multinational team of volunteers specialising in the study of the First World War though archaeological excavations, historical research, map work and aerial photography. Team members are selected for the skills and experience they bring to the project. Field work is undertaken on site for only one week at a time and it is essential that the correct balence of skills is maintained. The team cover a wide age span, the youngest team member being 17, the oldest is 67 and are gathered from a dozen countries across the globe.

Martin Brown Martin Brown is co-Director of the Plugstreet Project. He is part of the Historic Environment Team for Defence Estates and has been a professional archaeologist for over 20 years. Martin is a founder member of No-Man's-Land. He is author of numerous articles and papers on subjects as diverse as Great War practice trenches, chalk hill-figures and the archaeology of Terry Pratchett. His media work includes Time Team, BBC Radio 4, Trench Detectives, Tales from the Grave, Weaponology, Ancestors and Inside Out. He is well known for his guided walks, which bring archaeology and history to life, sometimes literally.

Richard Osgood Richard Osgood is co-Director of the Plugstreet Project and is head of the Historic Environment Team for Defence Estates. He a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a Associate of the Institute of Field Archaeologists. His interests encompass warfare throughout history, he has published widely from sites of the Bronze Age through to Roman and the Great War. His media work includes "Time Team" and "Meet the Ancestors", he previously worked as the Research Assistant to Professor Barry Cunliffe. Richard has a very personal link to the Battle of Messines as his Grandfather served with the Australian 3rd Division.

Graham Arkley Graham Arkley is a student of archaeology at Bradford University, his interests include conflict archaeology, ancient Egyptian Greek and Roman civilisations, weapons, myths and legends. His hobbies are rock climbing, canoeing and cycling.

Bev Bailey Bev Bailey is an ex-racing driver from New Zealand. She studied Archaeology and Classical History at Oxford and having dug on sites from all periods she is relatively new to conflict Archaeology.

Gontrand Callewaert Gontrand Callewaert is retired Belgian Army Sergeant Major, having served 15 years in the Para - Cdo Regt. followed by 22 years in the Bomb Disposal Unit, he is an expert on Great War munitions. He has had an interest from childhood in the soldiers who fought in the fields around his home and over the last 60 years has gained a vast knowledge of the weapons and equipment as well as landscape and events and occasionally gives tours to battlefield visitors. His hobbies are collecting Great War militaria and road racing.

Peter Chasseaud Peter Chasseaud is an artist, a writer and an a landscape, aerial imagery and cartographic historian specialising in Great War Trench Maps, who has written a number of works on the subject. Peter has contributed to a number of TV programmes including "Meet the Ancestors" and "Digging up the Trenches". He works closely with archaeologists on the Western Front, and was UK commissioner for the Belgian A19 Motorway report. He is the 'Artist in Residence' for the Plugstreet project and is also the director of The Tom Paine Printing Press which runs a working 18th Century style wooden Common Press.

Adam Cooper Adam Cooper recently graduated from Cranfield University with an MSc in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology. His hobbies include amateur dramatics and crown green bowling.

Henry Daniels Henry Daniels is a Professor in the English department at the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon, specialising in Historical linguistics, lexicology morpho-phonology, onomastics and the history of language 1914-1918. Henry is currently researching the development and usage of slang in the trenches.

Robert Daws Robert Daws trained at RADA and has become one of the most familiar faces on British television with many credits including: Dr Gordon Ormerod in The Royal, Tuppy Glossop in Jeeves and Wooster and Roger Dervish in the award- winning Outside Edge. A regular contributor on radio as actor and broadcaster he has recently set up the comedy website, Celebrity Plumber. He also provides voice-overs for many commercials and factual programmes. Robert has a personal interest in the Great War, he plays the trumpet and is married with three children.

Kat Fennelly Kat Fennelly from Ireland is a PhD student of archaeology at University of Manchester.

Paola Filippucci Paola Filippucci is the Director of Studies in Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge. Paola was born in Italy and has been a Fellow in Social Anthropology at New Hall since finishing her doctorate. Her current research focuses on the remembrance of World War I and how societies represent the past as well as the relationship between societies and space. Her other interest is archaeology in which she also has a degree. Paola is a member of No-Man's-land and has contributed to several TV programs in which the group has participated.

Alastair Fraser Alastair Fraser is a founder member of No-Mans-Land and is employed as an early printed book expert by Durham University Library. He is Co-author of "Ghosts on the Somme" and author of numerous articles and book chapters on Great War Archaeology. He is guest lecturer on the University of Bristol MA course in Archaeology and the Media. Alastair also works as a TV researcher and has appeared in "Finding the Fallen", "Vimy Ridge", and "The Battle of the Somme: the true story". He has a degree in history and previously worked for the Public Record Office and the British Library

Rob Janaway Rob Janaway is lecturer in Archaeological Sciences at the University of Bradford and has more than 35 years experience of archaeology in the field and the laboratory. He specialises in the relationship between material degradation and depositional environments. As a Forensic Archaeologist, Rob has worked for the British Police Forces. Recently he has worked on the analysis of textiles and clothing from the Wreck of the Mary Rose, the taphonomy and conservation of material from Great War sites and the relationship between soil chemistry, land use and the survival of vulnerable metal artefacts from the medieval battlefield of Bosworth Field.

Angela Jobson Angela Jobson was an Olympic hopeful in the sport of archery before enrolling at Teesside University as a mature student to read Multimedia, specialising in TV production, education and virtual reality. She has over 10 years experience working freelance on drama, factual and multimedia projects, is a TAPS screenwriter and a versatile film-maker. Angela is the secretary of The Wartime Memories Project and has good knowledge of the sociology both world wars. Hobbies include art and family history, Angela has three Great Uncles who served in Flanders and is currently researching her connection to Brigadier Jobson of the Australian 9th Brigade.

Steve Litherland Steve Litherland specialises in medieval and post-medieval archaeology, survey, excavation and desk-based research at Birmingham University. This involves the integration of historical, geographical and archaeological data in the study of above and below-ground archaeology.

James MacNaughton James MacNaughton is an historic archaeologist for the US Bureau of Land Management, and an MSc candidate at Illinois State University. James has worked in the American midwest and across the Rocky Mountain west and southwest. He holds a BA in anthropology with emphasis in Roman archaeology and skeletal trauma (magna cum laude). James' masters work has involved nineteenth-century container glass and household ceramics in the Republic of Ireland, and is developing into conflict archaeology in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A lifelong interest in the First World War and uncanny fortune provided him the opportunity to work with the Plugstreet Project. James had grandparents in the Royal Scottish Fusiliers and the 26th (Budapest) Bln of the Austro-Hungarian infantry during the war. He plays the highland bagpipes, often with malice aforethought.

Keith Maddison Keith Maddison is a professional artist specialising in military and aviation art. His Great War interest stems from the involvement of his Grandfather and 3 Great Uncles. Keith is a founder member of No-Mans-Land and also a member of the Aerial Photographic Interpretation Society. He served as an Intelligence Analyst (Imagery) with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

Peter Masters Peter Masters is a Research Fellow at Cranfield University, and lectures in the Dept of Applied Science, Security and Resilience. Peter is an archaeological and forensic geophysicist, with over 20 years experience using scientific techniques to detect the presence of buried remains. His research interests include the use of remote sensing for the location of burials and battlefield archaeology. He has worked on a number of high profile projects including Kirby Hall, Northamptonshire and the Privy Garden at Hampton Court Palace, Great War practice trenches and battlefields, Roman landscapes and historic battlefields.

Michael Molkentin Michael Molkentin is a history teacher from New South Wales, he has had a life-long interest in the First World War and is passionate about helping Australians understand their wartime heritage. He graduated from the University of Wollongong in 2004, and as a scholar at the Australian War Memorial undertook research for the Plugstreet Project. He featured in the television documentary Lost in Flanders, part of which was filmed onsite with the Plugstreet Team.

Kirsty Nichol Kirsty Nichol is Outreach and Education Manager with Birmingham Archaeology, part of the Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity, University of Birmingham. Kirsty's interest in military archaeology developed during her undergrad years at Birmingham studying the Roman Army in the Provinces. She currently specialises in modern military remains relating to both World Wars. She is a member of the Pillbox Study Group and No Man's Land. Her particular areas of research interest lie in life on the Home Front, military supply networks and memorialisation.

Dan Phillips Dan Phillips is a member of No Man's Land and has taken part in a number of TV programmes including "Finding the Fallen" and "Trench Detectives".

Erika Pownell Erika Pownell is an experienced stills photographer and video editor, working in both traditional and digital formats. She has worked as an edit and camera assistant, for a variety of companies, including Aardman Productions, where she worked on many animations including Shaun the Sheep. Erika plays guitar, owns a classic car and lives on a narrow-boat which she is currently restoring.

Jon Price Jon Price is a senior lecturer at University of Northumbria he is an executive member of the World Archaeological Congress and is Council Representative for Northern Europe. His area of research is the way landscapes are invested with sacred status. Jon has worked in archaeology and heritage management since 1979 and was one of the founders of No Man's Land. Jon has directed or supervised on several NML projects, and appears in a number of the TV documentaries featuring NML. He is an active researcher into issues of management and methodology in the heritage of conflict.

Joanna Ramsay Joanna Ramsay is an ecologist, working on the English coast for Natural England. She has a particular interest in birds and mammals, being a licenced bat specialist. Working for Natural England, and it's predecessor English Nature, she has been involved in local TV and radio work to promote the protection of such vulnerable species. She has worked for a variety of conservation organisations which has seen her travelling all over the UK and living in some amazing places including Lundy and Brownsea Islands. She attributes her new passion for archaeology to the Plugstreet Project which she has been involved in for the last 3 years. This interest has led to excavations of a Tudor conduit in Wiltshire, work on the Stonehenge Riverside Project and the publication of a paper on The Great Inclosure of Savernake in Wiltshire's Archaeological and Natural History Magazine.

Ant Roberts Ant Roberts is the youngest member of the team and is currently at sixth form college studying A'Level's, which include photography.

Steve Roberts Steve Roberts spent 12 years as a regular soldier serving with the Royal Military Police in a variety of operational theatres, in 1987 he joined the Metropolitan Police. He has always had an interest in Military history and is a historian and researcher specialising in the Great War. He has been employed by the National Army Museum as an historical interpreter for events. Steve is also one of the founding members and currently chairman of No-Mans-Land, he has been involved in the production of a number of television programmes on the subject of archaeology.

Tori Roddy Tori Roddy has a very personal link to the Battlefield, her Grandmother's brother is amongst the missing, he was last seen just a few hundred yards from the site of the excavations near Plugstreet.

Justin Russell Justin Russell is a Senior Archaeologist and CAD Illustrator with Archaeology South-East, his research interests are 20th Century military archaeology. He is a Member of the Association of Archaeological Illustrators and Surveyors and has numberous archaeological illustrations published in a wide range of academic journals and publications. He is an experienced supervisior and a member of No Man’s Land, supervising Great War excavations on front-line trenches of the Somme battlefields of France, in Thiepval Wood, Beaumont Hamel, Serre and at Ypres in Belgium.

Nicholas Saunders Nicholas Saunders is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, Bristol University. His research interests are Pre-Columbian Archaeology and Anthropology , 20th-Century Conflict Archaeology and Anthropology and Material Culture and Cultural Memory Art and Symbolism. Through the Plugstreet project he is continuing his research of 'trench art', in relation to concepts of ethnicity and materiality, and also to the wider exploration of related issues concerning conflict landscapes, nationalism, religion, heritage and museums, tourism, and commemoration. He is also course co-ordinator MA Archaeology for Screen Media, MA Historical Archaeology and MA 20th-Century Conflict Archaeology at Bristol University.

Becki Scott Becki Scott is a PhD Researcher at Cranfield University, Centre for Archaeological and Forensic Analysis, work concerns the provenancing of glass from forensic and archaeological contexts. Her hobbies include Amateur Dramatics

Rod Scott Rod Scott has been a serving member of Her Britanic Majestys Armed Forces since 1979 and serves as a Warrant Officer Ammunition Technician. His specialty is old and foreign weapons and munitions and their identification, evaluation and render safe. He has a BA(Hon) in Archaeology and Classical history and has dug on numerous sites from most periods including 20th Century conflict archaeology. Rod, along with other EOD personnel provides safety cover for the Team whilst on site.

Brian Shottenkirk Brian Shottenkirk is from Kansas, USA and is currently studying for his doctorate in First World War Archeology at University College of London, having earned undergraduate degrees in anthropology and biology from Kansas University, and a master's degree in osteo archaeology - the forensic study of bones at the University of Southampton.

Derek Smith Derek Smith has over 30 years experience behind the lens, working with moving and still images, he has worked on drama, factual films and multimedia projects. Derek has a natural ability as a graphic designer and is also very technically minded, excelling in computer programming. He has previously worked as an industrial chemist and in paint research, he holds an amateur radio licence, enjoys creative metal working and has built a kit car in the mid 80's. His Grandfather and Great Uncle both served at Heugh Battery during the 1914 bombardment and saw action in Flanders.

Birger Stichelbaut Birger Stichelbaut is an aerial photographic expert working as a Research Assistant of the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO-Vlaanderen) at the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History of Europe at Ghent University. He is interested in the themes of aerial photography, the use of GIS in archaeology and the archaeology of World War One. He is the author of several papers on the topic of the application of World War One aerial photography and archaeology. He is currently preparing a doctoral thesis titled Military aerial photography of the Great War: an archaeological perspective.

Chantel Summerfield Chantel has recently graducated from Reading University. For her dissertation, Chantel carried out a survey of 'arborglyphs' in the Salisbury Plain training area. These are carvings made on trees by soldiers in both world wars, including men who trained on the Plain and went on to see action in the Battle of Messines.

Kenton White Kenton White, is a licentiate member of the Association of Archaeological Illustrators and Surveyors. He worked in IT as a Network Manager, prior to starting Redhead Designs Ltd in 1997 to focus on design for commercial and heritage interpretation. The core areas of business are website design, multimedia and 3D reconstructions. Kenton has created historical 3d reconstructions for the BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5 and a range of heritage projects. Kenton has a degree in history, and includes social and military history amongst his interests.

Shirley Whitfield Shirley Whitfield is Principal Lecturer and Course Leader of the LLB programme at London Metropolitan University and her research interests are the history of international law, particularly interested in Egyptology and the Ancient Near East and cultural heritage law linked to the Great War. Shirley is a member of No Man’s Land specialising in the cleaning, conservation and recording of finds.

Ralph Whitehead Ralph Whitehead is from New York State, for over 40 years he has specialised in researching the German Army 1914-1918 with particular interest in German casualty details. He has a B.A. Degree in 20th Century European History and is a member of the Western Front Association. Ralph has contributed to publications in the Battleground Europe series and the Pals series, as well as articles in Kaiserzeit, on Gas Warfare and Machine Gun troops.

"Digging Up Plugstreet" by Richard Osgood and Martin Brown, an account of our research to date is now available. Click to order "Digging Up Plugstreet"