Tales from the Battlefields

In this episode we talk to historian and battlefield guide Beth Moore about her local battalion on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Why were they ordered to carry out a diversionary attack? What did they experience on that awful day? What happened to them in No Man's Land? And Beth's passionately defends their Commanding Officer who was blamed for the disaster that occurred.

In this episode we travel to the town of Bethune in Northern France to discover the stories of the men that died in a Casualty Clearing Station and are now at rest here. We find the final resting place of an NCO who was murdered by 2 of his men, who were executed for their crime and then buried a few hundred yards away from their victim. And who was the Indian soldier buried in Bethune who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross in 1914. We also find out why a medic's original grave marker remains in place today, rather than a Portland headstone. And much more too.

In this episode we travel from the Yorkshire Moors to the Somme battlefield at Serre to discover the story of the Leeds Pals. Who were these men? Why is their training ground now a special place for them? We look at the extraordinary bravery of their young Officers and Other Ranks on the first day of this infamous battle, and read a letter written by the sister of a 16 year old Boy Soldier, begging him to return home. In amongst the Officers who fell that die, we tell the story of 2 successful sportsmen. And we discover what happened when the Pals returned to Serre in 1935.

In this episode we travel to a small village near the French/Belgium border to discover some forgotten stories. We discover the tragic stories of 2 Australians buried here and how a Northampton man foretold his own death, leaving his 2 young daughters orphaned. And discover the incredible action of a Yorkshireman who was awarded the Victoria Cross for saving the lives of many comrades here. We also find a memorial to Military Chaplain David Railton, as it was in Erquinghem that he had the idea of the “Unknown Warrior.

In this episode we discover the stories of the Commonwealth soldiers buried in Dochy Farm Cemetery on the Ypres battlefield. Who were they? What was their story? And how was one Officer identified decades after he was buried in the cemetery? Who was the footballer buried there who scored the winning goal in the FA Cup Final? And we discover how I felt when I walked Hill 60 at dusk. And we listen to the voices of a male voice Choir singing beneath the names of the missing at the Thiepval Memorial on the Somme.

In this episode we look at the concept of distance and time in relation to the fallen of the Great War. And how the act of remembrance affects our emotions today. To do this we look at the fortunes of Ilston Stevenson's parents after he disappeared whilst on patrol and was never seen again. We discover what it was like for a German soldier to be subjected to terrible artillery bombardment and how it killed a young man from Stuttgart. And we listen to the testimony of a Prisoner of War who returned home with both feet amputated and later died. And how did the parents of an fallen Australian soldier continue to remember their son who is on the Menin Gate, a long way from home in both “time and distance”? And we discover the ruins of a long forgotten Chateau on the Somme that was a German medical facility.

In this episode we travel to the Western Front following in the footsteps of 3 “ordinary” soldiers. We discover how a Welshman carried out a brave action that saw him awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and how another 2 men were killed in action, one in the mud of Passchendaele and the other during the last few days of the war. And we also follow the story of the parents of a young soldier who visited his grave in 1919 and how they secured his original wooden grave marker 5 years later. What did it mean to them? We reveal the emotional feelings and experiences of these people from the past. 

In this episode we tour the Passchendaele battlefield with local guide Leen Van Meerbeek. We discover how the tanks floundered in the mud and slime. Leen explains the incredible action of Clement Robertson who was awarded the Victoria Cross and the story of the successful “Cockcroft” action. We also visit Pond Farm and discover a replica tank and also the graves of several “tankies” and tell their stories of bravery and sacrifice. And we listen to a tank poem written by the famous author A A Milne. 

In this episode we hear the words of several German soldiers who fought in the horrors of Passchendaele in 1917. We discover what it was like to face the British attack on the first day of the battle, and how the artillery shells tore off the limbs of men who continued to live on. We learn how they dealt with the fear and loss of friends in battle, and the terrifying experience of being under a “creeping barrage”. And we hear from 2 brothers who met on the battlefield when they didn't know each other was there.

In this episode we travel to Crete and learn about the 1941 invasion of the island by German paratroopers. We hear from former Coldstream Guard, Will Tower, who explains how the British and Anzac troops tried to defend the airfields on the island in bitter fighting. We discover the story of New Zealander Leslie Andrew who had been awarded the Victoria Cross at Messines in World War 1 and hear about his leadership skills on Crete 24 years later. And we listen to the words of British Artilleryman John Clayton, who was one of those bombed and strafed by the Lutwaffe and saw German paratroopers being killed as they landed. And we discuss the Army Benevolent Fund “Frontline Walk” that Will is leading later this year.

In this episode we look at the stories of the families left behind by the casualties of the Great War. How did they cope? What happened to their sons in World War 2? We hear from writer Vera Brittain about how she felt when her fiancée died and what happened when she opened the parcel that contained his bloodstained kit. And we look at the story of Philip Wooding who died from shrapnel wounds a year after the Armistice but cannot be commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. We also examine the story of a father and son who died in different wars and are buried just a few yards away from each other, with the same family inscription on their headstone.

In this episode we travel to the Somme and look at the battle for Bazentin Ridge, through the eyes of the soldiers who were there. We hear from war poet and author Robert Graves, who was reported as being dead but lived until he was over 80. We discover the awful artillery bombardment a signaller experienced at an old Windmill opposite High Wood. And we hear the words of several soldiers who took part in this successful operation in July 1916.

In this episode, some of which was recorded on the battlefield, we travel from Boesinghe to Pilckem, following the Welsh Division that fought here on 31st July 1917. We discover 2 poets that died that day, and soldiers and airmen that died in the same area during World War 2. We find a German trench mortar on top of a bunker, and the soldier who was left on the battlefield for 6 days before being found alive. We travel to Dozinghem Military Cemetery where we find his grave, as well as several other emotional stories of loss and grief.

In this episode we talk to author Phil Cross about his book “The Other Trench”. Phil's Great Great Grandfather served with the German Army throughout the Great War and kept a detailed diary of his experiences on the Western Front, and also the Russian and Italian battlefields. We hear how Phil discovered the diary and what it means to him. We discuss his German heritage and how he feels about Alexander. We discover how Alexander picked up postcards belonging to British soldiers and how Phil tracked down these men and visited their final resting places, as well as learning about the hell of Loos in 1915 from a German perspective. And we uncover a forgotten truce between German and Russian soldiers.

In this episode we hear the stories of men, and the nurses who treated them, who were wounded on the Western Front. We learn how the evacuation process operated and how advances in medical science saved so many lives. We look at new inventions such as blood transfusion, X Ray and the “Thomas” Splint. We also hear from Horace “Jock” Graffon, who was badly wounded on the Somme, had his foot amputated but lived a successful and extraordinary life until the age of 103.

In this episode we travel to the Somme to discover the story of 2 disastrous trench raids that took place in the Spring of 1916 before the “Big Push”. Why did they carry out raids and how did the soldiers feel about them? What happened on a raid and what became to the soldiers that were killed during these raids? And why was a German raid on British trenches at Fricourt such a disaster for the 6th Northampton's?

In this episode we follow the story of Private Walter Cox from his home in Australia to Gallipoli to where he was badly wounded on the Somme. We discover how he was treated in the medical facilities before reaching a hospital in England where he died. We hear from the nurses who worked in the hospitals and Casualty Clearing Stations. And we talk to an Englishman who “adopted” Walter's grave and visited his family in Victoria, Australia. It is a highly emotional journey.

This is a “live” episode, recorded on the Bellewaarde Ridge near Ypres. We discover, through the eyes of the soldiers on both sides of the wire, what happened here in June 1915 in a small, often forgotten action. We hear about the German medic who wrote to a dead British soldier's family long after the war, and the photographer who took a famous photo in the German front line. And we discover the German soldier who was to become a leading player in the Holocaust a generation later.

In this episode we travel to Ypres and meet up with local historian Johan De Jonghe who takes us on a tour of the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing. We find out the link between a stately home in Yorkshire, a man remembered on the memorial and the famous Dam Busters raid in World War 2. Johan also explains the brave actions of 3 Victoria Cross recipients and the Northumberland Fusiliers whose names are still on the memorial but are buried in the cemetery. We also discover the tragic story of 3 brothers from New Zealand who never returned home.

In this episode we discover more untold stories from the Great War. We discover soldiers who died from their wounds long after the fighting had stopped. And we follow a family pilgrimage to Ypres following a soldier whose is now reunited with his wife Gertrude, who died 40 years after him. We also discover the story of 2 best friends. One was killed in 1918 and the other survived only to be told by his wife, on the eve of battle, that she didn't love him.

In this special episode we look at Christmas 1914 from a different perspective. We look at the individual stories of several men who died on Christmas Day. William Pentelow took part in the Truce and exchanged personal details with a German. But what happened to him just after Christmas? And Harold Watts who was killed by the only bullet fired in his area on Christmas Day? And we hear the voice of a veteran who was there.

In this episode we talk to two of BBC Radio Northampton's Presenters to discover the story of the Beasley brothers who both played sport for Northamptonshire before serving on the Western Front in the Great War. We look at how Joe Beasley's path crossed with Ronald Poulton-Palmer, the England rugby captain who was killed at Ypres. And we discover the story of another soldier who played first class cricket having lost a leg in the war.

In this episode we tell the previously untold stories of a soldier who was wounded at Ypres in 1914 and died of his wounds 10 years later, and the man who succumbed to his wounds after suffering awfully in a Prisoner of War Camp. And the tank crew that got stuck in the mud at Thiepval but fought to the death. We also discover how an NCO was murdered by 2 of his men and how they ended up buried in the same cemetery. And much more too.

In this episode we talk to author Scott Bennett about the missing Anzac soldiers. We discuss the circumstances of the disappearance of so many soldiers. Why did the Australian government fail in its solemn pledge to recover the missing? Why were so many families left without answers about the fate of their loved ones ― despite the dedicated efforts of Vera Deakin and her co-workers at the Australian Red Cross inquiry bureau? We look at what happened to 3 sets of brothers whose stories are told in Scott's book. 

In this episode we look at what happened when the sun went down on the first day of the Somme. How did the thousands of wounded lying in No Man's Land survive? How did the stretcher bearers recover the wounded? What sounds could be heard on the battlefield that night? Their stories are told through the eyes of the soldiers, nurses, medics and stretcher bearers who were there.

In this episode we travel back to April 1915 and discover, through the eyes of the Canadian soldiers who were there, what happened when the Germans released chlorine gas at what is now called "Vancouver Corner". We look at the work of the Canadian architect and war veteran Frederick Clemesha who designed the "Brooding Soldier" memorial. How did the veterans view the memorial when they saw it years later? How did they stop the Germans from breaking through? And was a Canadian soldier really crucified during the battle?

In this episode we look at individual stories of soldiers who served during the Battle of the Somme. We discover how a man's life was saved by his water bottle and and awful coincidence of a soldier who died on the same day as his Mother. We find out about the Irishman who sat down in a shell hole, smoked his pipe and waited to die having lost both legs. And we uncover the stories of 2 brave doctors killed on the Somme trying to help wounded soldiers 

In this episode we examine the successful but costly action of the 6th Northamptonshire's as they attacked and cleared Trones Wood during the Battle of the Somme. We learn about the brave actions of William Boulter who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery and listen to the words of a veteran who was there. We learn about the fighting through the eyes of the veterans who won the day.

In this episode we look at the words written and spoken by British, French and German soldiers who then fell on the battlefield. We get inside their minds and discover their true feelings. And we hear a Victoria Cross recipient singing, a few months before he died on the Somme.

In this episode we talk to historian Beth Moore about the 46th Division attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt on 13th October 1915. We discuss who these men were and what went wrong to cause such awful casualties in a single day. We also learn about the experiences of the soldiers who were there, in their own words.

In this episode we tell the awful story of how the Germans tricked the 1st Northamptonshire's into believing they were surrendering during the Battle of the Aisne in September 1914. But it was a trap and we discover how the Germans then machine gunned them in a rare example of this sort of incident. We also learn about the German born man in Northampton who was run out of town after this incident. And we have a report from Loos where 2 British soldiers were reburied in the new Cemetery Extension last week.

 In this episode we continue our tour of Arnhem looking at what happened in and around the Hartenstein Hotel, the Oosterbeek Church, St Elisabeth Hospital and we look at some of the incredible stories of the casualties buried in the CWGC cemetery. We also examine the legacy of the battle through the eyes of the Dutch people and British veterans. 

In this episode we travel to Arnhem to mark the 80th anniversary of this battle in September 1944. In part 1 we look at the story of the parachute drops through the eyes of the men who were there. We then follow their route to the road bridge and discover, through the words of Major General John Frost and other veterans, what happened during those dramatic few days. 

In this episode we go on a stroll around Ypres. Along the way we walk to a member of the Last Post Association about the iconic ceremony at the Menin Gate. We discover the story of the "Wipers Times" and visit the beautiful Ramparts Cemetery. We also find out the story of the local Resistance who hid Allied airmen in a hotel during World War 2. And discuss opposing thoughts about the construction of the Menin Gate during the 1920's, including a controversial Siegfried Sassoon poem.

In this episode we talk to author and former RAF Tornado Navigator and Gulf War prisoner-of-war John Nichol. Over one million British Empire soldiers were killed during the First World War. More than a century later, more than half a million still have no known grave.  The scale of the fighting, the destructive power of high explosive, and the combination of relentless military engagement and glutinous mud meant that many of the dead were never recovered or identified. Names were left without bodies, and bodies, or fragments of bodies, without names. In an emotional personal journey, John uncovers the dramatic story of the Unknown Warrior who lies in Westminster Abbey, and our nation's deep-seated need to honour and mourn the fallen.

In this episode we travel around the Ypres battlefield and discover the stories of 2 men who were awarded the Victoria Cross, several soldiers who were executed by the British Army, some professional footballers who gave up their careers and were killed in action and other incredible stories, including a dreadful gas attack in August 1916.

In this episode we walk the 1917 3rd Battle of Ypres battlefield from St Julien, along the Steenbeek, to Langemarck and onto Poelcapelle. We discover forgotten stories along the way and find out what is was like to be there in 1917, through the eyes of the soldiers who were there. We come across the site of an old German war cemetery and the site of 2 Victoria Cross actions along the way, and a disastrous tank attack.

In this episode we return to High Wood on the Somme but not in 1916 but in August 1939 when a World War 1 veteran returns to the wood and explores the the scene of his nightmares from 20 years before. It is the eve of World War 2 and the veteran discovers what the French landowner thinks about the impending war with Germany. We also learn about a man whose parents claimed he was killed in France but had deserted and lived until 1972. And we have news from the Somme about the Butte de Warlencourt. 

In this episode we mark the 107th anniversary of the opening day of the 3rd Battle of Ypres by discussing the horrific experiences of the 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment on that day. We talk to author and historian Paul Johnson, who explains who these men were, what happened to them and the incredible bravery of them all. We also look at what happened through the eyes of the soldiers, both British and German.

In this episode we mark the beginning of the Paris Olympics by looking at the story of Frederick Kelly. Frederick, known as Cleg, was an Olympic gold medal winner at the 1908 London Olympics. He then became a composer before joining the Royal Naval Division at the beginning of the Great War. Find out how he became friends with poet Rupert Brooke and how he was killed in action during the Battle of the Ancre in November 1916. We look at this battle in detail, following Cleg's story, and through the eyes of the soldiers who were there.

Well known for being the only recipient of the Victoria Cross for actions on D-Day, Company Sergeant Major Stan Hollis was a true leader of men and a superb soldier. However, that only just scratches the surface of a man who was recommended for not just the Victoria Cross twice, but also the Military Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal. In this episode we talk to author Mark Green who tells the story of Stan, a man wounded five times, only to shun publicity and state "anyone would have done what I did.

In this episode we discuss the incredible story of Captain Gilbert Nobbs. He was shot through the head, blinded, but survived and captured during the Battle of the Somme. We use his memoirs “ On the Right of the British Line” to tell his story. Why does he describe the women at home as heroes, what was it like to be shot and blinded? How did he live a very successful life for 54 years after being so seriously wounded? And who was his upper class pal who surprised him with such personal bravery? 

In this episode we travel to the Somme and discover what happened over a period of 2 months in High Wood. Find out, through the eyes of the veterans, what happened in the summer of 1916. We hear from soldiers who encountered hell on earth. How did it make them feel? What were their thoughts? How did they survive? We find out as the veterans tell us in their own words.”

In this episode we continue our journey along the Normandy beaches and go inland to discover what happened on Hill 112 in dreadful scenes that resembled the static battles from the Great War. We also discover the heartbreaking stories of the 3 Westlake brothers from Toronto, Canada who all died in Normandy. What happened when I told their story at their graves? And the serviceman who, while the landings were happening, was executed for murder on D Day.

In this episode we travel along Juno and Gold Beaches and tell the story of the landings through the eyes of the soldiers who were there. We hear from Bill Dunn whose tank “Charlie One” still sits close to the location where it broke down on Juno Beach. We find out what happened to his mates that day and how they sang to keep their spirits up as the German mortars rained down on them. We go to the British Normandy Memorial and see the “Standing with the Giants” exhibition and tell the story of the 2 nurses who saved 75 lives before perishing beneath the waves on the stricken hospital ship SS Amsterdam. We also visit Arromanches and talk about the Mulberry Harbour and I remember my old friend Harry Austin who landed on Gold Beach on his 19th birthday. 

In this first special episode, we travel to Normandy to tell the stories of the D Day landings on the 80th anniversary of this incredible historical achievement by the Allies. We tour the beaches and listen to the story of the Pegasus Bridge through the eyes of Major John Howard, and listen to Piper Bill Millin on Sword Beach. Why did he play his pipes? We visit the Montgomery memorial before going to Ranville to discover the story of the first casualty on D Day and find the stories of several soldiers (and a dog) buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery, including a 16 year old casualty.

In this episode we discover the stories of men who died in the Great War but were not correctly remembered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission until recently. We find out about the Officer whose named was added to the Thiepval Memorial just 20 years ago because his parents refused to accept his death during their lifetime. We also look at the tragic story of the young soldier who couldn't face going to war and took his own life. And the victim of poison gas on the Somme, who died at home and was missed off the Commission's records but last month had a brand new headstone placed on his final resting place.

In this episode we travel to the Western Front following the story of a typical British soldier between 1916 and 1918, when he was killed in action. We travel from the Somme, to Arras and Passchendaele, before finding the location of where he died during the Lys Offensive in April 1918. What did he experience? How horrific were the conditions at Passchendaele? How did they achieve their objectives at Arras and how was his battalion almost wiped out during the German 1918 Spring Offensive. We find out through the eyes of the soldiers who were there. 

In this episode we feature the story of a young British infantry officer and his experiences on the Somme in July 1916. Jack Lidsey then became an Observer in the Royal Flying Corps. Through his words in his personal diary, we look at what happened to him in the skies above the Western Front. Jack's story ends when he became the 29th victim of the Red Baron. The story is discussed with the author of a book about Jack, historian and battlefield guide Andrew White 

In this episode we talk to Mark Connolly about how battlefield tours evolved during and after World War 1. We discuss who these first pilgrims were and what they saw and emotionally experienced on the old Western Front battlefields? Who was the schoolteacher who went across to France on a battlefield tour in 1914 and how did charitable organisations arrange and fund the initial post war private tours? 

In this episode we continue the story of the Accrington Pals at Serre on 1st July 1916. We listen to the music that was inspired by those young men and discover more of the stories of the lads from that Northern town on the 1st day of the Somme. What is their story? We find out through the eyes of the soldiers who were there.