Meet our Ambassadors
Dr Robert Lyman MBE FRHistS
Historian, Author and Presenter
Dr Robert Lyman is an elected fellow of the Royal Historical Society and has received an appointment as a Research Fellow at Pembroke College, University of Oxford.
He was commissioned into the Light Infantry in April 1982 and spent 20 years in the British Army.
His PhD was on Field Marshal Bill Slim and became his first book, ‘Slim, Master of War’, in 2004. The primary focus of his research is the British and Commonwealth armies in the Second World War, where he has published extensively on the Pacific and Far East, North Africa and North West Europe. In 2010, he helped General Richard Dannatt write his memoirs, Leading from the Front.
In 2011, he won the National Army Museum’s debate for ‘Britain’s Greatest General’ on Bill Slim and in 2013, the debate for ‘Britain’s Greatest Battle’ on Kohima and Imphal.
Robert researched and authored two books, ‘Operation Jericho’ and ‘The Jail Busters’, which featured highly detailed accounts of one of the most daring missions undertaken by De Havilland Mosquito crews.
His new account of the Burma campaign (‘A War of Empires’) was published by Osprey/Bloomsbury to critical acclaim in November 2021. In this book, he argues that this campaign was a victory for India and the Indian Army.
His account of the victory in Burma was published in July 2023 under the title The Reconquest of Burma, 1945.
His book, written with General Lord Dannatt, ‘Victory to Defeat: Britain and Her Army 1918-40’ was published, also to critical acclaim, in September 2023.
He is now writing a new book with Lord Dannatt, Korea: The Longest War, due for publication in 2025. After that, he’s writing a new account of the battle of Kohima in 1944. In 2023, he also edited three volumes of Bill Slim’s 1931-40 writings, published by Sharp Books.
He edited the diaries of Harry Birrell for publication as Harry Birrell’s War by Penguin in March 2025.
Dr Sarah-Louise Miller
Historian, Author and Presenter
Dr Sarah-Louise Miller is a historian of war and conflict, specialising in air and sea power, military intelligence and defence and security. She is a lecturer at the Defence Studies Department at King’s College London, and teaches at the Defence Academy of the UK. She is also a visiting scholar at the University of Oxford’s Faculty of History.
Working in air power education and in aviation history, Sarah was elected as a Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society in January 2024.
She is the author of several books, including The Lancaster Story and The Women Behind the Few, both of which are focused on the history of the Royal Air Force in the Second World War.
Sarah appears regularly on British television and radio, having featured on various documentaries for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky History, National Geographic and PBS.
Sarah is happiest when in an aircraft or a hangar (particularly if there are WWII aircraft inside).
Why Sarah is happy to support TPM
There are many different ways of “doing” history – of learning and teaching about the past, and preserving to remember. One of the very best, I have found, is by demonstrating.
The People’s Mosquito is working to demonstrate not just the finished product of the project – a flying example of one of the most successful and popular aircraft of the Second World War – but also the process of constructing it, and important insight into what it takes to get an aircraft from a concept on paper to a tangible product in the sky.
The De Havilland Mosquito was a remarkable aircraft. The two-seater ‘Wooden Wonder’ was one of the original and successful multi-role combat aircraft, and its place in the story of British aeronautical design and engineering, and in Second World War history, deserves to be commemorated. I am very happy to be able to support The People’s Mosquito in its mission to commemorate the Mossie and tell its story in such a tangible and effective way, and look forward very much to seeing her grace our skies again soon.
Lucy Betteridge-Dyson
Historian, Author and Presenter
Lucy Betteridge-Dyson is a historian, author and broadcaster, with a particular interest 20th century conflict. An enthusiastic public speaker, she is passionate about engaging a wider audience with military history, and has worked on numerous television & radio shows, co-presenting the Channel 4 series ‘48 Hours to Victory’ along with BBC Sounds ‘Obsessed With…SAS Rogue Heroes’.
Keen on both horses and aeroplanes, she was awarded a distinction for her MA research focusing on the experience and use of horses and mules in the British Expeditionary Force during the First World War and works as a researcher for vintage aviation specialists Retrotec & Aero Vintage. Lucy is currently working on her forthcoming book on the Third Arakan Campaign in Burma during the Second World War, which is due for release in 2025, with Osprey Publishing.
The De Havilland Mosquito is a British icon, regularly voted the nation’s favourite Second World War aircraft – and yet one has not graced our skies for some 80 years. Having followed The People’s Mosquito since its formation, I now find myself working regularly with Retrotec, giving me a unique appreciation of the engineering magnificence of the Wooden Wonder and TPM’s aims. Supporting the charity’s effort to build this beautiful aircraft for the nation, is a worthwhile endeavour to ensure the sacrifices of all those involved in developing and flying her will be remembered for many years to come.
Flt Lt George Dunn DFC Ld’H
Bomber Command Pilot – 608 Sqn, 1409 Met. Flt.
Bomber Command pilot George Dunn DFC Ld’H completed forty-four operations during the Second World War. George flew his first tour in 1943, on Handley Page Halifax bombers, during one of the most intense periods of the bombing war.
Following two trips as a second pilot with No. 10 Squadron, to gain operational experience, George then flew with No. 76 Squadron from May to October 1943, taking part in the Battle of the Ruhr, the Battle of Hamburg and the raid against the German secret weapon research station at Peenemünde. On completion of his tour and a period as an instructor pilot, George then took up duties flying De Havilland Mosquitos, firstly with No. 608 Squadron and then with No. 1409 Met Flight.
George has stated:
I am delighted to accept the role of an Ambassador for The People’s Mosquito. I fell in love with the Mossie the first time I saw it and consider myself extremely lucky to have flown in such a wonderful machine. It was exhilarating to fly and really had everything, speed, height and versatility.
I flew many other aircraft, but will always consider the Mossie my favourite. I offer my full support to The People’s Mosquito in their historic endeavour, which will give so many people the chance to celebrate or rekindle their love of the aircraft, along with hopefully recruiting a new generation of Mossie enthusiasts.
Image courtesy of RAF Benevolent Fund
Flt Lt Colin Bell BEM DFC AE FRICS
Bomber Command Pilot – 608 Sqn,
Colin trained as a pilot in Canada under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
Following Pearl Harbour and having been commissioned into the RAF, Colin Bell was retained by the American Army Air Corps as an advanced single-engine flying instructor responsible for training American and British Cadets. On his return to the UK in 1943, he converted to twin-engine Mosquito Bombers and joined 608 Squadron (Pathfinder Group) based at Downham Market in Norfolk.
During his tour of operations, he carried out 50 bombing raids – all over Germany- 13 of them over Berlin. Subsequently, he was transferred to ferry duties, bringing back newly built Mosquitoes from Canada.
He ended his full-time RAF service in 1946, flying out of Blackbushe carrying Diplomatic mail to Embassies situated in various parts of Europe and Africa. Post World War 2, he qualified as a Chartered Surveyor, serving for many years as a Government District Valuer, before finally setting up his own firm.
Over recent years, Colin has supported many charitable causes, and in 2023, at 102 years of age, he gained a Guinness World Record when he became the ‘oldest-ever participant in an abseil’ while descending 280ft down the side of The Royal London Hospital in aid of London’s Air Ambulance.
Having been an advocate of our UK Mosquito build for many years, it’s been a privilege to have Colin attend several of our fundraising events. He is delighted to accept a TPM Ambassador role to enable greater promotion within his vast range of contacts and to ‘open doors’ that many other people simply can’t.