Colin Brooks-Williams is Britain's No1 'Monty' Lookalike and Impersonator and can be seen at many high-profile events nationwide. He has a specialised knowledge of the life and history of Bernard Law Montgomery, and his War-time 'Double' M.E.Clifton James, and the parts both men played in the D-Day deception plan codenamed : 'Operation Copperhead'.
Historical accuracy and authenticity with 100% attention to detail is key to his professional portrayal. Constant study and research over many years has enabled him to personally recreate Monty's uniforms, clothing and many sets of medal ribbons and actual medals, and to replicate his particular mannerisms and speech patterns. Colin prides himself on staying 'in character' at all times to give the most precise and sympathetic portrayal possible, which is always done with the greatest respect to the memory of 'Monty'.
Many fact-finding visits
have been made to historically significant sites, including Monty's
home and final resting place in the village of Alton in Hampshire ;
Aldershot Military Museum, and the D-Day Map Room at Southwick
House on D-Day Anniversaries and the Imperial War Museum in London,
and a very special 75th Anniversary visit to the little village of
Dalwhinnie in the Scottish Highlands, where Monty took a few days
holiday in the weeks before D-Day, and where he was introduced to
his 'double' M.E. Clifton James aboard his special train
'Rapier'. Colin owns an interesting collection of letters
written and signed by B.L. Montgomery, as well as original
photographs, and signed copies of books written by Monty and his
war-time 'double' M.E.Clifton James, amongst many other fascinating
items of Monty memorabilila.
In the course
of his research, Colin was able to help the Australian War Memorial
Museum by correctly identifying previously unknown badges on
Monty's Australian 'Slouch' Hat, the origin of which had been a
mystery to them, and has recreated the only 100% accurate replica
of this early 'El Alamein' headwear to be seen outside of the
Museum. This is the hat that Monty wore briefly in the desert,
before adopting the world-famous beret with two
badges.
Colin's
background is within the Cinema, his whole family having been in
the business of managing and running cinemas from the 1930s until
2008, and he first entered the projection room at the age of
three. Lately he has appeared as an 'Extra' on TV, and in the
Theatre for The National Theatre's production of 'An Inspector
Calls' (in 2012 and again in 2015.) He recently studied Performing
Arts at Llandrillo College. His plan to build a touring replica of
Monty's Office Caravan got underway this year with the acquistion
of a large new modern box trailer which is undergoing special
conversion. This project will provide a mobile exhibition for a
large collection of artefacts, such as Monty's personal
hand-written letters, documents and photographs, as well as a vast
array of accurately recreated medal sets and uniforms. It will also
serve as a focal point at events for the re-enactment of Monty's
war-time speeches and broadcasts in special association with STEVE
McTIGUE as WINSTON CHURCHILL and STEFEN DICKS as FIELD-MARSHAL ALAN
BROOKE.
Monty's Double is pleased to endorse and recommend EPIC MILITARIA as his supplier of excellent quality Battledress uniforms.
www.epicmilitaria.com
This photo shows progress to date on the project to build a replica of Monty's Office Caravan on a modern large box trailer, as a mobile exhibition and Touring Theatre.
If you would like to support the project do please follow the link to the 'GoFundMe' page and make a donation.
All images and text Copyright © Monty's
Double.