73: Battle of Le Quesnoy
In this episode we talk to New Zealand military historian Chris Pugsley. We discuss the battle of Le Quesnoy. In November 1918, the New Zealanders captured the German held fortified town without causing a single civilian casualty by climbing a ladder and forcing the surrender of the enemy garrison. How did they achieve this? What is their legacy in the town? We find out, and much more too.
1hr 6m Feb 07, 2024
1hr 6m
72: Tribute to Martin Middlebrook - The First Day on the Somme
In this special mini episode, we remember the famous military historian Martin Middlebrook who died last week. We look at how his book inspired so many people and the legacy that he has left behind.
17m Feb 05, 2024
17m
71: Discovering the Forgotten
In this episode we discover how 2 soldiers' have been discovered decades after they had been forgotten. Fred Smith died 3 years after he was badly wounded and was never commemorated until recently. John Butt was thought to be one of the missing but now has an identified grave at Ypres. We discover their stories by talking to the historians who uncovered their tragic stories.
59m Jan 29, 2024
59m
70: New Zealanders on the Somme - September 1916
In this episode we follow in the footsteps of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force at Flers during the Battle of the Somme in September 1916. We look at what happened in this successful operation through the eyes of the soldiers who were there. We are joined, as we walk the battlefield, by the relatives of 2 Kiwis who died in the battle and get their thoughts on what their sacrifice means to them.
1hr 2m Jan 16, 2024
1hr 2m
69: The "Baby Killers" from the Sky - Zeppelin
In this episode we look at the story of the German Zeppelin airships that caused so much devastation during the Great War. We explain how civilians were targeted for the first time in history and examine the personal stories of some of those casualties.
54m Jan 08, 2024
54m
68: The Salonika Campaign in 1918
In this episode we travel to Greece with Chris Loader, who goes on a pilgrimage to visit the location where his relative, Private Henry Loader 10th Hampshire's, was mortally wounded in September 1918. We follow in the footsteps of the men who fought in this forgotten campaign and discover what happened in this battlefield on the other side of Europe.
1hr 7m Dec 29, 2023
1hr 7m
67: The Christmas Truce Through the Eyes of the Soldiers
Christmas 1914 saw the famous truce on the frozen Western Front when soldiers from both sides put down their guns and met in No Man's Land. In this podcast we tell the story through the eyes of the men who were there. What did they see? How did they feel? Find out as we listen to their words and experiences.
51m Dec 22, 2023
51m
66: RBL Great Pilgrimage to the Battlefields 1928 and 2018
In 1928, the British Legion organised for 11,000 veterans and war widows to visit the battlefields, before marching to the Menin Gate in Ypres. 90 years later, the Great Pilgrimage 90 saw 1,150 branches, and thousands of members and representatives from the UK and abroad, help The Legion recreate their original pilgrimage. In this podcast, we tell the story of these 2 famous tours."
54m Dec 15, 2023
54m
65: The Missing of the Great War
In this episode we discover how the bereaved families from the Great War coped with, not just the loss, but dealing with the double tragedy of having no known grave for their fallen loved ones. We also look at how it still affects their descendants today - the ripple through time.
59m Dec 08, 2023
59m
64: A Moonlight Massacre
In this week's episode we speak to Michael LoCicero, the author of the book called "A Moonlight Massacre". Michael tells the story of what happened on 2nd December 1917 when the BEF launched another offensive against German positions on the Passchendaele Ridge. A forgotten action, we discover what happened to the British soldiers when they were lit up by the moon and snowfall in this night time...
1hr 1m Dec 01, 2023
1hr 1m
63: Return to the Battlefields Between the Wars
In this episode we discover what the Great War battlefields looked like in the 1920's and 1930's through the eyes of the veterans who returned to follow in their own footsteps on the Western Front. We also discover their emotions when they trod the battlefields and looked for signs of the old front line.
1hr 8m Nov 24, 2023
1hr 8m
62: The Butte de Warlencourt
In this week's episode we tell the story of the horror of the Butte de Warlencourt at the end of the Battle of the Somme in October and November 1916. Through the eyes of the British, South African and German soldiers we look at what happened on and around the Butte during those dreadful few weeks. And there is important news from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission too.
54m Nov 20, 2023
54m
61: The Capture of Crest Farm and Passchendaele Village
In this episode we look at the story of the fight for Crest Farm and the village of Passchendaele itself in November 1917. We tell the story through the eyes of the soldiers who were there and discuss the story of one of those thousands of Canadians who fell during the battle, Private Graham Adam.
51m Nov 10, 2023
51m
60: A Son's Pilgrimage to the Western Front
In this episode we join the son of a World War soldier as we follow in 2nd Lt Herbert Dudley's footsteps across the Western Front in 1916 and 1918. What did we discover on this emotional tour? How did Herbert become a casualty on the Somme without being wounded? And what did the tour mean to his 83 year old son as we recreated his father's journey in the Great War?
58m Nov 02, 2023
58m
59: The 2023 Frontline Walk
In this episode we walk from the Somme to Ypres with ABF The Soldiers' Charity "Frontline Walk". We hear the stories of the fallen as we pass their graves. Listen to an emotional interview with a British Army veteran, who explains how the Charity and this 100K trek have helped him overcome PTSD. We discover all sorts of stories along the way and how a piece of classical music found its way onto...
1hr 8m Oct 24, 2023
1hr 8m
58: Father and Son
In this episode we tell the tragic stories of fathers and sons who served in the Great War. We examine the unbreakable bond between father and son and how some of them died together on the battlefields of the Western Front, Gallipoli and Eastern Africa. We also look at the extraordinary lengths that some fathers went to to be reunited with their sons after they were killed.
53m Oct 12, 2023
53m
57: England Cricketer Jack Russell and his World War 1 Heritage
In this episode we talk to former England cricketer Jack Russell about his relative Edward Hogg who died in the Great War. Jack talks emotionally about how Edward died near Ypres and he describes how a pilgrimage to the location where Edward died inspired Jack to produce a painting that he called "Seconds from Hell".
55m Oct 05, 2023
55m
56: The Triumph of Thiepval
Through the eyes of the soldiers who were there we tell the story of how the German fortress finally fell to the 18th Division on 26th September 1916. This hill top bastion had been attacked several times but discover how the the BEF finally overcame Thiepval.
50m Sep 26, 2023
50m
55: The Coming of the Tanks
In this episode we follow the story of the tanks from their design and manufacture in Lincoln, to the testing fields in Suffolk where a mock battle was held. We then go to the Somme and discover, through the eyes of the soldiers on both sides of the wire, what happened on 15th September 1916 when tanks were used for the first time.
1hr 1m Sep 15, 2023
1hr 1m
54: The Killing Fields of Guillemont
After weeks of horrendous and brutal fighting, what was left of the village of Guillemont fell on 3rd September 1916. The terrible story of the Guillemont is told through the eyes of the soldiers from both sides of the wire and we also look at what you can discover when you visit the battlefield.
51m Sep 04, 2023
51m
53: The Story of Walter Tull with Graham McKechnie
Walter Tull was one of Britain's first black army officers and was killed in action in March 1918. He was also one of the first black professional footballers, appearing for Tottenham and Northampton Town. His incredible story, from orphan to war hero, is told in this podcast by BBC Radio Northampton's Graham McKechnie, who has discovered a connection between Tull and another black sportsman wh...
50m Aug 29, 2023
50m
52: The 1918 Battle of Amiens
In this episode we look at the story of the opening day of the 100 Day Offensive that saw the Allies put into practice the lessons they had learned in earlier battles. We tell the story of 8th August 1918 through the eyes of the soldiers who were there, including the German General Erich Ludendorff.
58m Aug 21, 2023
58m
51: Ghosts on the Somme - Part 2
In the 2nd part of this episode we return to the Somme and the interview with historian Steve Roberts. We continue our chat with Steve and reveal how the famous battle was filmed by Geoffrey Malins. We take a closer look at the men featured in the film. And we also discuss the "fake footage"
47m Aug 15, 2023
47m
50: Ghosts on the Somme - the story of the Film
In the 50th episode we talk to historian and author Steve Roberts about how the famous film "The Battle of the Somme" was filmed in 1916. Who were the cameramen? What did they see? How did they film the footage in the Sunken Lane? And who were the soldiers in the film?
43m Aug 08, 2023
43m
49: The Pain of Pozieres
In this week's episode we visit the key sites around Pozieres and look at the battle for the village through the eyes of the Australian soldiers who were there, including 2 Victoria Cross recipients. We also look at the story of composer George Butterworth.
1hr Aug 01, 2023
1hr
48: The Battle of Fromelles
In this episode we travel to Fromelles to tell the story of this tragic 24 hour battle through the eyes of the soldiers who were there. We walk the battlefield and visit the Australian Memorial Park on the old German front line and several cemeteries where the casualties are now at rest. We also attend the Menin Gate Ceremony in Ypres and talk to students and their teacher who participated in t...
1hr 3m Jul 24, 2023
1hr 3m
47: Tales from Cologne Cemetery and the Prisoner of War experience of Alec Waugh
In this episode we travel to Germany and walk around a WW1 Prisoner of War camp in Mainz Citadel and also look at the stories of the soldiers who are buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery, many of whom died in captivity.
58m Jul 18, 2023
58m
46: Tales From Ypres
In this episode, we travel back to Ypres and discover the very emotional story of the "Brothers in Arms" memorial at Polygon Wood. We talk to the cafe owner who discovered the body of Jack Hunter who was buried by his brother Jim in 1917 and his grave lost until 2006. We also visit the St George's Church in Ypres and talk to the CWGC guides at Tyne Cot, as well as the new "Moments" exhibition a...
1hr 9m Jul 10, 2023
1hr 9m
45: The First Day of the Somme
In this episode we travel to the Somme to tell the story of what happened on this infamous day through the eyes of the soldiers who were there. Ginger Byrne was wounded in No Man's Land and he tells his story with extracts from his book "I Survived Didn't I?". We also walk the battlefield to see what we can discover about that day and the feelings and emotions that we experienced. And a heartbr...
1hr 4m Jun 30, 2023
1hr 4m
44: Scoundrels, murderers, liars and charlatans from the Great War
In this episode we tell the stories of several World War 1 soldiers who were not heroes. Such as Frederick Cherry who tried to kill his girlfriend and then died himself on the Somme. And the famous "burning car" murderer Alfred Rouse who was wounded in action in 1915. We also discuss the incredible story of Digger Pugh and the tale of a man who claimed, wrongly, to have been awarded the Victor...
46m Jun 15, 2023
46m
43: The Myths of Messines with Simon Jones
In this episode we talk to historian Simon Jones about the "Myths of Messines". Were 10,000 Germans really killed by the explosions? Did the Prime Minister hear the explosions in London? Were Irishmen killed by the falling debris? All of these mysteries are explained, and much more too.
59m Jun 07, 2023
59m
42: Killed in Action Saving Comrades - 2 Brothers in the Great War
In this episode we travel to the Western Front with the relatives of the 2 brothers from Lancashire who died a year apart but in the same circumstances - trying to save wounded comrades in No Man's Land. How did the family discover their stories? What does it mean to them? Could we find a grave for one of them who is still missing?  And what artefacts did we discover on the battlefields where t...
49m May 26, 2023
49m
41: The Battle of Aubers Ridge
In this week's episode we commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Aubers Ridge through the eyes of the soldiers who were there. We use previously untold accounts of this disastrous single day battle in May 1915. We learn how the men were cut down as soon as they went "over the top" and how they spent all day avoiding German fire up to their necks in ditch water. We also have news from the ...
52m May 09, 2023
52m
40: The Battle of Villers-Bretonneux
In this episode we tell the story of this successful battle through the eyes of the Australian and German soldiers who fought against each other in April 1918. We visit the Sir John Monash Centre and also a school in Villers-Bretonneux that was rebuilt from funds raised by the veterans of Australia.
57m Apr 25, 2023
57m
39: The Gas Attack at Ypres
In this episode we commemorate the anniversary of the gas attack at Ypres in April 1915, through the eyes of the soldiers who were there. We hear from the Canadian and British defenders and how they plugged the gap in the line, and also the terrible scenes that the German attackers witnessed as they attacked. There is also the tragic story of a entire family of civilians killed by shellfire.
58m Apr 18, 2023
58m
38: Ypres Reservoir Cemetery - The Stories of the Soldiers
In this week's episode, we travel to Ypres Reservoir Cemetery to discover the stories of the men buried here. We find a Victoria Cross recipient, 3 men "shot at dawn", 2 brothers exhumed from far off graves and now buried together, what happened to a group of men who were killed in St Martin's Cathedral, and the story of the victims of a terrible fire in the ramparts.
53m Apr 06, 2023
53m
37: The Diary of a Young German Soldier
In this week's episode we follow the story of an 18 year old German soldier, Edwin Kuhns, who was conscripted in 1917 and kept a diary through the 1917 Battle of Cambrai and the 1918 campaigns. He graphically explains how he narrowly missed death, the terrible sights he saw and how he felt during the conflict. There is an emotional account of how he met his Father behind the lines. He then sees...
52m Mar 31, 2023
52m
36: Voices From the Somme
This episode was recorded on a Somme battlefield walk where we tell the stories behind the headstones. We travel to several cemeteries and discover what happened to the men buried there. We also find some private memorials at Guillemont and look at the story of Charles Dickens' Grandson near Ginchy. We then walk up to Lochnager Crater and discover some of the stories played out there.
58m Mar 20, 2023
58m
35: The Sunken Lane on the Somme Through the Eyes of the Soldiers
In this week's episode we travel to the famous Sunken Lane on the Somme and view the battlefield from the German side of the wide. We  listen to the words of a Lancashire Fusilier who was there on that day and we speak to Terry Berry from the The Hawthorn Crater Association, who gives us a guided tour of the area.
59m Mar 15, 2023
59m
34: Photographing The Fallen with Jeremy Gordon-Smith
In this episode we talk to author Jeremy Gordon-Smith about his relative Ivan Bawtree and we discover the story of his work on the Western Front as a photographer. His task was to take photographs of the original wooden grave markers, and he also explains what Ypres was like in 1917 and the gruesome work of finding and exhuming the dead after the Armistice.
54m Feb 24, 2023
54m
33: Boom Ravine
In February 1917 the Battle of Boom Ravine was fought on the Somme. We tell the story of this awful single day battle through the eyes of the soldiers who were there. What did they see? How did the sudden change in the weather prove disastrous? Was the battle plan given away by British deserters? And the story of the German man whose life was saved by a Tommy and they became friends after the w...
56m Feb 14, 2023
56m
32: The Legend of 2nd Lt Edgar Mobbs, England Rugby Captain, with Graham McKechnie
In this episode, BBC Northampton's Graham McKechnie tells the story of Edgar Mobbs, the Northampton Saints and England captain who formed his own company that became known as "Mobbs' Own". How did he he turn his rugby leadership skills into becoming a fearless commanding officer? What happened to him at 3rd Ypres? Why is he still a hero today?
1hr 5m Feb 03, 2023
1hr 5m
32: The Legend of 2nd Lt Edgar Mobbs, England Rugby Captain, with Graham McKechnie
In this episode, BBC Northampton's Graham McKechnie tells the story of Edgar Mobbs, the Northampton Saints and England captain who formed his own company that became known as "Mobbs' Own". How did he he turn his rugby leadership skills into becoming a fearless commanding officer? What happened to him at 3rd Ypres? Why is he still a hero today?
1hr 5m Feb 03, 2023
1hr 5m
31: Dad's Army's Arnold Ridley on the Somme in 1916
In this episode we look at the the experience of one of our national treasures during the summer of 1916. Arnold Ridley played Private Godfrey in Dad's Army for 9 years and 80 episodes. But he was wounded 3 times on the Somme in 1916.Why did he join up? What happened to him on the Somme? How did it affect him for the rest of his life? How did it affect his family? And how Dad's Army changed his...
55m Jan 26, 2023
55m
30: The Nurses on the Western Front
In this episode we tell the stories of the young Edwardian women who gave up their privileged lives to become VAD's on the Western Front. Why did they do this? Where did they go and what did they do? And what horrors did they see? We also explore one terrible night in May 1918 when the Germans bombed a Base Hospital at Etaples.
1hr Jan 12, 2023
1hr
29: The Hell of Hooge and the Hooge Crater Cafe/Museum with Niek Benoot
In this episode we look at what happened at Hooge, on the Menin Road, during the 1st Battle of Ypres and in 1915 when the first ever terrifying flamethrower attack took place, through the eyes of the soldiers who were there. We also talk to the owner of the Hooge Crater Cafe and Museum, who explains what it is like to live and work on the Ypres battlefield
1hr 5m Jan 05, 2023
1hr 5m
28: A Tour of Tyne Cot Cemetery with Johan De Jonghe
In this episode we are guided around Tyne Cot Cemetery by a Belgian guide who lives on the doorstep of the largest CWGC Cemetery in the world. He tells us about American, Belgian and German burials, as well as the incredible story of a New Zealander who was killed on Christmas Eve1917. We also look at the story of 2 Australians who were awarded the Victoria Cross for their actions close to the ...
52m Dec 21, 2022
52m
27: The Spirits of the Soldiers or Just a Coincidence?
In this episode we look at some coincidences that I have experienced recently when researching the Great War soldiers. Or are they the spirits of these men drawing us back to them? And we consider a heartbreaking poem written by a war widow. We also talk to Megan Kelleher from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission about her work looking at the commemoration of the dead who are buried in the UK
53m Dec 12, 2022
53m
26: The Minstrel Boy - The Story of the 27th Northumberland Fusiliers on the 1st Day of the Somme
This week we return to the Somme battlefields to discover what happened to the Northumberland Fusiliers on 1st July 1916 on their first day in battle. We tell the story with help from Martin Talbot, who has researched their story, and through the eyes of Captain James Bibby who led his men into action on that day. We also hear from Bibby's Great, Great Grandsons who walked the battlefields with...
1hr 1m Nov 23, 2022
1hr 1m
25: Armistice - November 1918
In this episode we look back at the events of November 1918 and examine what happened during that momentous week in history. Why did the fighting continue up to 11am on 11th? Who were the final casualties and how did they die? How did the soldiers feel about the end of the fighting? Why was it not the end of the war? How did the Germans react? We hear from the men and women themselves as they h...
58m Nov 10, 2022
58m