Minefields with Hugh Riminton

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Most weeks we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with Hugh Riminton. We spoke with Hugh about his career of frontline reporting from war zones, and his new book MINEFIELDS.

Launching Barney Greatrex with Michael Veitch

BARNEY GREATREX is the biography of World War II veteran Barney Greatrex, written by bestselling author Michael Veitch, based on the research by Alex Lloyd and Angus Hordern. This podcast is a highlights compilation from the book launch on 8 November 2017. See more photos from the launch at www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com/book. Buy the book now by clicking here.

#14 Hugh Kelly

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with World War II veteran Hugh Kelly. Thomas Kaye spoke with ninety-eight-year-old Hugh in his home, days before he moved into a retirement village. This is the first time Hugh has spoken with someone outside the family about his wartime service.

The Eastern Front with David Sutton

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Most weeks we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with historian David Sutton. David works at the Australian War Memorial and his area of expertise is on conflicting Soviet and Nazi accounts of the Eastern Front in World War II.

#13 Elizabeth Matthews

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with WO1 Elizabeth Matthews, who is currently serving in the Australian Army. We spoke to Elizabeth about her service in peacekeeping operations, her deployment to Afghanistan and life in the modern military. Our thanks go to Defence Media for organising the interview.

From WWII to the Reserves with Norton Duckmanton

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. For today’s bonus episode of Life on the Line, Alex Lloyd spoke with Norton Duckmanton, a World War II veteran. Alex met Norton at the Reserve Forces Day Parade held at Sydney’s Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park. This is the they had chat while they waited for the parade to start.

Remembrance Day with Dr Brendan Nelson

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Most weeks we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Tomorrow is Remembrance Day and to talk about this very special day of reflection and commemoration, Alex Lloyd spoke with a very special guest. The Honourable Dr Brendan Nelson has a long and distinguished career in public service. Just to name a few prominent positions, Dr Nelson was the Federal President of the Australian Medical Association before serving as the Federal Member for Bradfield from 1996 to 2009, where one of his portfolios in the Howard government was Minister for Defence. After a key ambassadorial role, Dr Nelson was appointed as Director of the Australian War Memorial in 2012.

#10 Eddie Robertson

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, Eddie Robertson. A former member of the 2nd Commando regiment, Eddie saw multiple deployments to the Middle East as an elite soldier. Alex Lloyd spoke to Eddie about his combat operations, the life of a Commando and about his good friend, the late Cameron Baird VC, MG.

#9 David Leafe

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Vietnam veteran David Leafe. David joined the army for a scholarship to study dentistry, and found himself in the heart of Vietnam’s jungle.

David returned to the podcast in the bonus episode My Teacher, My Hero with Rex Ward and the 2018 special episode Panel - The Vietnam War.

The Dawn Service with John Moore

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Most weeks we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today’s bonus episode is with John Moore. John was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army Reserves, an ABC commentator for the Sydney Anzac Day Parade, and was the emcee of Sydney’s Martin Place Dawn Service for twelve years, the fourth man in all its history to hold that position. 

#8 Sarah Turner and Michael Wright

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with two veterans of the War on Terror, Sarah Turner and Michael Wright. Sarah and Michael served together aboard HMAS Kanimbla. They shared how battle scars travel across generations, stories of their time at sea, and the difficulties of life after service when one is trained for war - but not for peace.

Michael returned to the podcast in the special 2018 episode Panel - Returning Home.

The Lancer Band with Elizabeth Smith

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Most weeks we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today’s bonus episode is with Elizabeth Smith of the Lancer Band. They’re the Regimental Band of the Royal New South Wales Lancers and are the oldest military band in Australia. Alex Lloyd spoke with Liz and some other members of the band at the Lancer Barracks in Parramatta, at one of their weekly rehearsals. 

Barney Greatrex - Out Now

Barney Greatrex - from Bomber Command to the French Resistance - the stirring story of an Australian hero. BARNEY GREATREX is the biography of World War II veteran Barney Greatrex. Written by Michael Veitch, based on the research by Alex Lloyd and Angus Hordern. This book was inspired by the documentary miniseries FOR SCHOOL AND COUNTRY by Thistle Productions, the makers of this podcast. We collaborated with publisher Hachette and bestselling author Michael Veitch to produce this awesome account of Barney’s life.