Talking with the wounded

L/Cpl James Ashworth was killed as he stormed an enemy position in Helmand , Afghanistan.  An action he was awarded the VC for; the 14th person at the time to receive the highest award for gallantry since WWII. His father, Duane, himself a former Grenadier, describes how he came to hear the news of his sons death, his repatriation and the announcement of the VC. Mistakes were made, bureaucracy gets in the way and the press intrusio...

Quoted as uttering the best line of the war, Paul Fear takes us to the moment he had reason to say it back in 2007 in Afghanistan.  Paul and I served together in the early 90's.  He left and subsequently re joined.  He found himself in Afghanistan fighting at close quarters with the Taliban until one day it didn't go his and a few others way.  After 6 more years he took the opportunity to leave with a pay out and a pension.. ..exce...

As a Doctor in the field saving wounded soldiers he never thought he may actually be asked to engage the enemy.  Dr Ian Nesbitt talks us through dealing with the wounded in Afghanistan, on board a Chinook as the MERT (Medical Emergency Response Team) Doc, flying into battles to collect the wounded, and also as part of the reception team back in Camp Bastion receiving those brought back by the MERT.  Describing himself as "self load...

Former Royal Marine, then RAF Search & Rescue Paramedic, Chris Bradshaw QGM, tells us what its like to be in the MERT (Medical Emergency Rescue Team) on Chinooks in Afghanistan and his life now at the end of the wire.  As part of the medical team onboard a Chinook sent in to pick up the wounded, be they Military, Afghans and occasionally the enemy, Chris talks us through what happens when the wounded make it to the tailgate.  B...

Paul Minter, formerly of the Blues and Royals, was one of the first soldiers into Helmand, and many years later one of the last to leave. With the words of an MP briefing him before his first tour - "Don't worry, not a round will be fired" ringing in his ears; 4 tours of Afghanistan, 1 in Iraq, a Mention in Dispatches, blown up twice by IED's, and countless contacts began to leave their mark. Next thing you know you are arrested in...

"Licking the Toad", someone did, and the rest is history. How some psychedelic drugs were discovered is a story in itself; but in this shorter episode we break from the norm, my guest isn't wounded - but is pioneering their treatment.

Dr Iain Jordan is leading the psychedelic drug clinical trials for treating PTSD.  Hear how taking the usually illegal drugs of a euphoria inducing nature react with our brains and why when taken befo...

One of the first IED victims in Afghanistan, literally stepping into new territory for all concerned.  Scott Blaney takes us from the carnage of a daisy chain IED to being one of the first to end up in Headley Court for reconstruction and rehab.  I wont ruin it for you,  but since then he has achieved many a physical feat, achieving medals and the like in the most unlikely sports.  Just don't accept if he asks you for a game of gol...

Formerly in the Blue & Royals, Simon Moloney, a sniper in Afghanistan, becomes the hunted.  After getting shot through the neck, first aid from his team medic, he re-joins the fight - which he is subsequently awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for.  There were worse days to come on that tour, and long after leaving it all comes back.  If this were a book you wouldn't put it down; and don't spare a thought for the goat!

Sim...

From "How very dare they!" at being shot at, to the the highs and lows of military life - Liz McConaghy takes us on her journey as the longest serving female Chinook crew member. Part of that role was MERT (Medical Emergency Recovery Team) collecting the injured from the battlefield which many of the previous guests have first hand experience of. Her proudest work..but it came at a cost. An inspiration, and well worth an hour of yo...

We could have called this episode "I woke up in Birmingham" as my guest, Carl Shadrake has done it more than once.  He is also the first guest on this podcast from a leadership role.  We get a unique perspective what its like when the leader is the casualty; how it is to return to the scene,  and go through it all again. Third event is best left for you to listen to.

Carl's chosen charities who have helped him along the way are lis...

Jason Gould tells us about nearly losing it all and his incredible recovery.  Inspirational doesn't begin to describe him, the people who saved him,  and the hundreds who put him back together.  This will move you.  If that's not enough he also tells us about the incredible job he does now.

Jason's chosen charities are BLESMA and the Colonels Fund - for giving him the confidence and skills to grab life and live it to the full. Thei...

Alex Harrison talks us through how he came to being shot in the head, walking off the battlefield after pointing out where the enemy were - for which he was subsequently decorated and the slide into the abyss that is PTSD and his subsequent recovery.  A remarkable man who has a very matter of fact way of telling his story.

Alex can be found on Insta at: https://www.instagram.com/one_eyed_harry/#

The Charities Alex refers to who hav...

"Happy blow Up day" - his line not mine - it will become clear.  Episode 1 has Tony Checkley talk us through his military journey; the good, the bad and the ugly.  From hysterical encounters with the Queen, to stepping on a landmine and the chaos thereafter, and who has helped in his recovery. 

This is the first one I recorded - making all the obvious mistakes regarding music, transitioning, sound quality etc etc... but if you can ...