Photography by Antony Barrington Brown and Léopold Belanger/Grammar Productions
The world mourns the passing of Tim Slessor, the intrepid British filmmaker, travel writer, and documentary maker whose life was defined by curiosity, courage, and an enduring love of adventure. Slessor, who died on April 5, 2026, at the age of 94, will be remembered for his distinguished career with the BBC, his award‑winning storytelling, and his participation in the remarkable 1955–56 Oxford & Cambridge Far Eastern Expedition, better known as the First Overland.
As a young Cambridge geography graduate, Tim joined five friends on a groundbreaking overland drive from London to Singapore in two rugged Land Rover Series I vehicles—a voyage of nearly 12,000 miles into uncertainty that captivated post‑war audiences and inspired generations of explorers. His book First Overland has never been out of print and remains a cornerstone of travel literature.
After a celebrated 30‑plus years with the BBC, producing and directing documentaries from Australia to the United States, Tim continued to write and share his experiences around the world. True to the spirit of adventure that defined his life, in 2019, he inspired The Last Overland documentary project, handing over the keys to a new group of overlanders who revisited parts of the route that had ignited his wanderlust six decades earlier.
Thank you, Tim, for sharing your stories with the world.
The Celebration of Life page is a tribute to the adventurers, explorers, and members of the overlanding community who have passed. Here, we share their stories, memories, and the impact they made on us as humans and as overlanders.
Who can be honored?
- Those who were active overlanders or former travelers limited by life circumstances such as illness, accessibility, or disability.
- Cornerstones of the overlanding community, including business owners, manufacturers, and people with impact.
To send us a tribute, please include a photograph of the individual, a 225-word biography, and the person’s birth and death dates. Overlanders’ extended family members do not qualify for this memoriam.
Our No Compromise Clause: We do not accept advertorial content or allow advertising to influence our coverage, and our contributors are guaranteed editorial independence. Overland International may earn a small commission from affiliate links included in this article. We appreciate your support.