Will Spicer
Founder
Will is the founder of The Veterans Forge. Originally from Leamington Spa, he first picked up blacksmith working for and Blacksmith who was ex SAS and learnt scrolling and cold forming while at college studying welding and fabrication, in his twenties. and picked up the hammer again in 2017 having himself discovered the therapeutic and rehabilitate qualities it can offer.
He served in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers for 3.5 years and specialised as an Assult Pioneer. His aim is for The Veterans Forge to become a centre of excellence in blacksmithing and supporting veterans.
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Martin Power Progressing Blacksmith!! and Health and Safety Manager
Martin is currently in his 27th year in the Royal Marines and currently instructs with the Royal Navy International Maritime Training Team. When not being sent to nice parts of the world he assists The Veterans Forge with administration tasks and supporting veterans with that wish to benefit. When the opportunity arises, he tries to improve his blacksmith skills which he discovered as a hobby 2015. He is keen to support veterans to help better and improve themselves in whatever way he can and also carries out volunteer work for the Royal British Legion. His other hobbies now include watching rugby, dogs, trail riding and trying to keep his ageing body fit.
Martin Wickham
MBE BSc MA CEng MIMechE
Started working life serving a 5-year engineering apprenticeship at Alvis Ltd, Coventry, manufacturers of Cars, Aero Engines and Armoured Fighting Vehicles. After graduating with an Honours degree in mechanical engineering he continued with the company as a design engineer working his way up to become Chief Engineer by the time he took early retirement in 1999 when they ceased operations in Coventry. During this time he specialised in armoured vehicle design, and in the First Gulf War Special Honours List was awarded the MBE. Following a move to Dorset, he became Keeper of the Vehicle Collection and Workshop Manager at the Tank Museum, completing a Master’s Degree in Museum Studies and a subsequent Collections Management post at the Imperial War Museum in London. In a return to engineering, he was responsible for the design and manufacture of the prototype launch and recovery system for the Shannon Class lifeboat, now in service with the RNLI.
RogerMaurdent
AWCB DIPWCB Instructor
Roger is The Veterans Forge Master Blacksmith. He was taught Blacksmithing by a friend of his Father who was a former ships captain during WW2 . After the War Frank began teaching blacksmithing,
It was then that under Franks guidance Roger learned
his Craft as a blacksmith not only from Frank but from
other visiting blacksmiths Like Tommy Tucker one of 3
Blacksmiths at the time who had won a gold medal. Roger is also a talented sculpture of many products and has produced many bespoke commissions in metal work, stone and glass.
Roger was a Blacksmith instructor at Bath College and has won numerous awards for his work. He has a wealth of information and considers it important that his knowledge is passed on to future generations. hence his passion for teaching and assisting the forge with training, instruction, major projects and all things Blacksmithing.
Samantha Blythe-Moore
served 8 year in the Royal Air Force as a propulsion engineer. CEO of
