Upon entering Rex Cadman's office you really do get the sense that he could be directing a military operation for Monty, in the Normandy theatre of war.  Correspondence is handed out to his team with great efficiency.  Questions and direction given without so much as a bat of an eyelid well, after all what else did I expect?  I was sitting in the office which is the main base of operations for the world's largest military show.

If you are a re-enactor then you will know that rex and his brother Rod are very passionate about collecting military vehicles, specifically from the later stages of the war when the combined allied powers pushed back Hitler following the D-Day landings. 

Rex has for many years driven to bocage country, with one mission and one mission only; to search for rusty relics of an era that changed humanity forever. With over 150 vehicles in the collection, the sense of pride that exudes from Rex is that of collecting the rare breeds of fighting vehicle, such as an elusive fuel truck.  Why? "It's simple" he explains, "Back in the eighties, Rod and I were delivering furniture with some friends in an old GMC.  Within three days of visiting various locations in Normandy we were both astounded at the sheer amount of military vehicles around.  By the third day we were hooked".  From this point Rex and Rod started to build their collection.  You see, Rex doesn't only collect WWII Jeeps, trucks and tanks; he also collects, well... just about anything and everything you can think of.  With a rare collection of Kent breweriana he is planning to even construct his very own public house. I thought this a little strange at first, but where better to exhibit your own collection?

It's this thinking and logic that has seen the War & Peace Show grow from its humble beginnings back in the early eighties. Rex has fond memories of entering his own GMC into the judges' competition, and winning best US vehicle.  I ask him, if he ever imagined when he started to take more responsibility in organising the shows with his work colleague Barbara, that he could envisage what a huge success it would be today? "Yes," was the simple answer. "We always had plans and knew that by ensuring the public had a great day out, they would always return. In the early days I helped fund the transport for the military vehicle owners, as I knew that this show would grow in time, and anything I could do to help could only be a good thing." It's these types of gestures that without any shadow of a doubt have helped ensure the long term survival of the show.  Rex isn't a one man operation; he places great trust and inspires dedication in his team. That is very evident, why else would you sign up to work on possibly the most hectic event that this hobby has to offer? "This show is totally unique," he grins.  "We understand that War and Peace is a family experience, long gone are the days gone of men marauding under bonnets or wearing uniforms; this event is a two-week holiday destination for hobbyists of all types, including their families.  Military vehicle owners can see old friends, search for that all elusive ignition coil for their much loved M3, re-enactors get possibly the only opportunity of the year to ‘dig in' with their living history displays and you can drive a tank the length and breadth of the site.  Also, traders have the opportunity to offer their wares to over 100,000 visitors during the 5 days; where else can you find that?" he shrugs with a knowing smile.  

From speaking to the local businesses and friends from the area of Paddock Wood in Kent, even the non-military enthusiast are curious about just what exactly goes on, especially when they have to get up an extra 20 minutes early when the show is on to avoid being stuck behind a low loader. I put the most prominent question I have gleaned from the populace to Rex, "guns and knives, as highlighted in the media are being used in crimes all across the country and very strict laws are in place to deal with any altercation. How can you re-assure the public that the largest military show in the world, is safe?" Without hesitation, he replies, "in 20 or so years of organising this show, we have had only one related incident where a teenager, who didn't know what he was doing, burnt his fingers quite literally.  We have in attendance throughout the show members of the armed forces, police and experts in this field, patrolling and observing. They know what they are looking for, and if anything illegal is observed then that person, business, owner etc... is dealt with in the appropriate manner.  We work closely with customs officials and firearms officers, to ensure that everyone has quite simply a good day out." 

If you have ever stayed at the show you will know that the facilities to ensure we are kept clean and tidy have always been in short supply.  It doesn't take a genius to work out that utilities piped to a field is a cause for concern, especially when the show originally started it only had two showers! "Not this year," comments Rex, "we have more showers, a better water supply and more electricity points for the show. Great investment has been spent on facilities within the Hop Farm and I'm personally glad as I spend a whole month there every year in the build up and take down of the show." 

Being a re-enactor myself I couldn't contain myself any longer, so I quiz Rex on the planned events that will be taking place this year. "We were planning a dog fight between a Messerschmitt and a Spitfire, however the insurance ruling is fairly intricate and expensive which sadly has brought this plan to an end although both planes will be in the skies above the show. You will also once again have the opportunity to see Dame Vera Lynn supporting her charity for cerebral palsy and for the first time ever we have two of Monty's Rolls Royces (private and public collections) in attendance.  Visitors will get to see the famous Phantom 3 in which he paraded through London. The focus this year are the Normandy and Arnhem Veterans in association with Help for Heroes, we are also in discussion with the BBMF to provide the Avro, Spitfire and Hurricane fly-past, not just Sunday but Saturday as well." 

I had to come away with some facts about the man that has just about every other human being on the planet salivating when you mention the words ‘War and Peace Show' and it amazed me to learn that he worked very closely with Channel 4's programme, ‘Salvage Squad.' For the mechanics reading this you will have every series on DVD, but for those like myself that think this is the name for a pop band, it features scenarios where cars, boats, planes etc... have to be built from a pile of scrap.  This episode was dedicated to salvaging the American M10 Tank Destroyer.  My research primed, I asked the burning question, "why, if he is such a passionate vehicle collector, did he give the project to Channel 4, as it reports that they paid to restore the tank?" "That's television for you. The M10 was the next in line for us to restore in our own workshops. ‘Salvage Squad' had very little left in their budget with one last programme to make.  So, with a combined effort on the financial side, the restoration of the M10 was carried out by Steve Cobb in the War and Peace workshops with staged film sequences involving the ‘Salvage Squad' team."  I honestly didn't know what to reply to this, but Rex's knowing grin said it all, "the final filming took place at the Muckleborough Collection and during lunch whilst Steve and our driver, Bill, were off having a bite to eat an armourer for ‘Salvage Squad' had taken it upon himself to load the main gun with a pyro charge, without telling any of us about it.  He got the shock of his life when he let it off; as he had failed to check one important piece...the barrel was plugged.  He had in an instant, wrecked all the internal restoration that had taken many weeks to finish, so in essence we built that tank twice!" 

Arriving at the ‘workshop' as Rex puts it, is a slightly overwhelming experience...I feel the word ‘workshop' is just a slight understatement.  If you have ever glanced at the history books of Normandy in 1944, you will have seen wreckage strewn across the countryside of both fighting factions.  From out of my blindfold to this highly secure and hidden location, my eyes adjust and the sight is unbelievable.  There is every kind and type of fighting machine used; tank wheels and tracks are everywhere and Steve, his much cherished engineer greets us to run through the latest projects.  What Rex and his brother, Rod, have built over the years is an adult version of Tanks ‘R' Us only in kit form.  If you know what you are looking for, have the time and the finance you can order pretty much any wheeled or tracked vehicle that there is.  Rex points across the yard, "that's a Berg Panther; there are two others in Germany and one in Samur, France.  Ours is the only one in private hands.  Rod and I once owned five Panthers and still own an Ausf-A."  Also, amongst the collection is an AEC 6-wheel armoured command vehicle.  The only known example in the world it sits there, within the compound, keeping company with many other rare pieces of armour.  In the hangar sit, perhaps Rex's most treasured vehicles - the monstrous M10 Achilles along with the Sherman Barv and the recently restored Staghound T17E1.  Steve, with help from friends and colleagues when needed, meticulously sand blasts, repairs, welds, paints and rebuilds these famous machines and restores them back to their former glory.  This is where you notice that grin from Rex again; when we look at the latest project, it's a 1940s Dodge ½ ton pick-up being built ready for a visit to Normandy in time for the 65th D-Day anniversary. Steve is also restoring a Dodge Command Car for the same trip.  I spy a Hotchkiss 201 Jeep, in USA colouring, near to the front of the collection and learn that this is the prize for this year's show.  Just one ticket could see you driving this away in July. Every year Rex sources a Jeep from his contacts in France, and then brings it back.  Steve commented that "it's luck of the draw on the condition.  I prepare them ready for the prize fund, and this year will take me a little longer I think!"  When you add up all the work involved, this Jeep when ready, will have cost the best part of £10,000.