Thanks for visiting The Long, Long Trail. It is my labour of love. This is me, Chris Baker.

My Great War interest was sparked by family stories of a grandfather I never knew, and brought even closer to the fore by my wife's stories of two great-uncles and two grandfathers who also served. Two of these men lie in France. At school in the 60s and 70s, I was taught virtually nothing about the Great War, and I became determined to learn after a visit to Ypres when in my twenties. I found that the sources of information are scarce or expensive. I want to help others avoid the painful processes of "finding out" that I went through. And it keeps me off the streets.

I am married and have two teenage children. I live in Leamington Spa in Warwickshire, England. I've just exited from a 25 year career as engineer and management consultant to concentrate on my WW1 research business, fourteeneighteen|research.

As far as historical things are concerned, I was Chairman of the Western Front Association for two years and a member of the WFA Executive Committee for six; I was also a founder member of the WFA's Heart of England Branch. I am a member of the University of Birmingham Centre for First World War Studies and of the Douglas Haig Fellowship. In December 2007, I proudly graduated with a MA (with Distinction) in British First World War Studies from the University of Birmingham. My dissertation was on the Supreme War Council 1917-1918.

Website-wise, the Long, Long Trail is now my main venture. I recently handed over the Great War Forum, a discussion site that I founded and built up to a membership of 10's of 1000's, to the group of moderators.

Paying for the site

The Long, Long Trail is in part financed by the generous donations of visitors who have found it helpful. If you have benefited from using it and would like to donate towards its upkeep, I would be very grateful.

How to donate

Another way is to buy a copy of my dissertation. It is available as a very nicely produced hardback book or in downloadable electronic format. "The Supreme War Council 1917-1918" is great bedtime reading if you are that way inclined and the income from sales helps keep the Long, Long Trail afloat. Click the Lulu button to buy.