Filtering by Tag: World War I

Christmas on the Line Vol II

Veterans of Season 3 share their stories of a Christmas in uniform.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Veterans of Season 3 share with the Thistle Productions team their experiences of Christmas in uniform, from deployments overseas and back home in Australia. These stories have not been previously featured on the podcast. Returning guests include Dan Keighran VC, Alastair Bridges, Dr David Stevens, Bob Ray, Geraint Jones, Donna Watts-Endresz, Jodi Farmer, Harry Moffitt, Dr Ajitha Sugnanam, Bob Semple and Aaron Davis.

This episode is hosted by Sharon Mascall-Dare. Click here to hear the 2018 edition of Christmas on the Line.

Dr Ajitha Sugnanam (right) during her Christmas in Afghanistan.

Dr Ajitha Sugnanam (right) during her Christmas in Afghanistan.

Santa on the road to Checkpoint Khabir, Helmand, Afghanistan, with ammunition and water for Geraint Jones and other members of the Royal Welsh.

Santa on the road to Checkpoint Khabir, Helmand, Afghanistan, with ammunition and water for Geraint Jones and other members of the Royal Welsh.

The jousting photo referred to by Aaron Davis in his second Christmas story.

The jousting photo referred to by Aaron Davis in his second Christmas story.

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The Menin Gate

Podcast host Alex Lloyd spent a week in Belgium travelling across sites of the Western Front from World War I, such as Hill 60 and Caterpillar Crater, and visiting many cemeteries, including Tyne Cot and Langemark.

A highlight was laying a wreath at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium. The evening remembrance ceremony at Ypres has been conducted daily since 1927, with the exception of the occupation by Nazi Germany in World War II. Alex had witnessed the ceremony in 2008 and was honoured to participate on this occasion. His words are below:

"“On Monday 15 July, my friend Marie Claire and I laid a wreath during the daily evening ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, in remembrance of all Australians and New Zealanders who put their lives on the line. 

It was particularly poignant to participate in this service on the anniversary of the passing of my grandfather, a British veteran. 

Lest We Forget.”

#61 Dee Cherry

Alex Lloyd interviews modern RAAF veteran Dee Cherry.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. For this episode, Royal Australian Air Force servicewoman Dee Cherry spoke to Alex Lloyd. Dee talked about her family member – a recipient of the Victoria Cross – as well as her time in uniform, and her extensive work in the veterans community.

Dee returned to the podcast in the episode released for Remembrance Day 2019, Panel - Modern Veterans.

An Iron Cross with David Buckwalter

Angus Hordern speaks with David Buckwalter about his grandfather, a German veteran of World War I.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's bonus episode is with Vietnam veteran and recurring podcast guest David Buckwalter. David spoke to Angus Hordern about the Iron Cross that has been passed down in his family, and the story attached to it.

David’s previous appearances on the podcast include:

The Great Navy's War with Dr David Stevens

Angus Hordern speaks with Dr David Stevens about Australia's naval war in World War I.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's bonus episode is with Royal Australian Navy veteran Dr David Stevens, who is currently an Official Historian at the Australian War Memorial. Angus Hordern spoke with David about his own military career, and the history of Australia's naval war in World War I.

My Father's Great War with Bevan Harris

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with Bevan Harris. Bevan shared with Angus Hordern his father's experiences as a stretcher bearer in World War I, his own experiences in World War II, and those of his late school friend, David Boyall.

Anzac Cove with Richard Miles

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is from our archive vault, an interview with World War II veteran Richard Miles. Richard spoke to us about remembering the fallen, and the service of his father, Thomas Alfred Miles, in World War I.

#7 Tom Hughes

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with World War II veteran Tom Hughes. Tom is a veteran of the Royal Australian Air Force, a former Australian politician and an incredibly prominent barrister. He’s the brother of the late Robert Hughes, acclaimed author and critic, and the father of three children, including Lucy Turnbull – our Prime Minister’s better half. Alex Lloyd spoke with Tom on his farm about his military service, and his father’s experiences in World War I.