As part of the 75th anniversary of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity – and to mark an evening of spoken word performance held in London in early October – Dave Roberts is joined by poet Martin Figura to explore the words we use when we talk about soldiers and soldiering.

 

This special episode of Conversations also features original poetry from Alix Hale, whose father was killed in action in Afghanistan, and work from 96-year-old veteran Sid Sallis, read by Jeremy Irons.

 

If you’d like to know more about ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, visit soldierscharity.org

 

Produced by Listen 

Lorraine Kelly introduces a conversation between Joseph Connor and Gary Jamieson.

 

Joseph Connor joined the Army in 1942. He was honoured by the French government for his part in liberating France during the Second World War. He continues to live independently at his home in Glasgow at the age of 94. 

 

Gary Jamieson was in his 14th year of service – and on his second tour of Afghanistan – when he was catastrophically injured by an Improvised Explosive Device. The blast killed his patrol commander, and Gary lost both legs above the knee, and his left arm above the elbow.

 

If you’d like to know more about ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, visit soldierscharity.org

 

Interview conducted by Dave Roberts 

Produced by Wisebuddah

Lorraine Kelly introduces a conversation between Andrew Blair and Alix Hale.

 

Alix Hale was eight years old when she was told that her father – Captain Mark Hale – had been killed in Afghanistan. 

 

Andrew Blair was also eight years old when he was told – 40 years ago – of the death of his father, Lieutenant Colonel David Blair, who lost his life in the Warrenpoint ambush in Northern Ireland. Until now, Andrew hasn’t publicly spoken about his loss. 

 

If you’d like to know more about ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, visit soldierscharity.org

 

Interview conducted by Dave Roberts and Katie Burns

Produced by Wisebuddah 

Lorraine Kelly introduces a conversation between Andy Reid and John Cutting.

 

In October 2009, whilst on patrol with 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment in Afghanistan, Corporal Andy Reid stood on an Improvised Explosive Device. As a result of the explosion, he lost his right leg below the knee, his left leg above the knee, and his right arm. 

 

John Cutting served in the Royal Engineers from 1970 to 1974, and was sent on back-to-back tours of Northern Ireland at the height of the Troubles. John has PTSD, which he puts down to his experiences during that time. 

 

If you’d like to know more about ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, visit soldierscharity.org

 

Interview conducted by Dave Roberts 

Produced by Wisebuddah 

Lorraine Kelly introduces a conversation between Maldwyn Jones and Stewart Harris.

 

Maldwyn Jones served with 1st Battalion The Welsh Guards in Northern Ireland, Belize and Cyprus. In 1982, he was serving onboard the Sir Galahad – a ship which was bombed and set ablaze in the worst British setback of the Falklands conflict.

 

Stewart Harris was also with The Welsh Guards. Whilst on tour in Afghanistan in 2012, a roadside bomb hurled Stewart’s vehicle into a ditch, leaving him with brain damage, the impact of which left him partially sighted and partially deaf. 

 

If you’d like to know more about ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, visit soldierscharity.org

 

Interview conducted by Dave Roberts and Katie Burns

Produced by Wisebuddah 

Lorraine Kelly introduces a conversation between Bob Semple and Sarah Adams.

 

Bob Semple is a veteran of the Royal Engineers. After leaving the Army he became a civilian engineer and his work regularly took him to the Middle East. Bob was working in Yemen in 2014, when he was ambushed and captured by Al Qaeda. 

 

Sarah Adams’ son James was serving with the 2nd Royal Welsh in Afghanistan when a Taliban bomb exploded under his vehicle. He died, aged 21. Since losing James, Sarah and her family have undertaken countless activities on behalf of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, raising tens of thousands of pounds. In 2014, Sarah received the Soldiering On Families Award.  

 

If you’d like to know more about ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, visit soldierscharity.org

 

Interview conducted by Dave Roberts 

Produced by Wisebuddah