This is the second episode of Curly's War, based on a self-published book of the same name by Tom's grandfather, Walter George Blaza. Curly's War recounts Walter's life during World War Two as a Royal Marine and Commando, including his training, involvement in D-Day and the Liberation of the Netherlands.

In Episode Two, Tom and Emily take listeners from the autumn of 1939 through Walter's extraordinary transformation from civilian bricklayer to elite Commando. After rejecting a farmer's offer of exemption from military service, the young Walter volunteers for the Fleet Air Arm but instead finds himself posted to the Royal Marines in Plymouth. What follows is a harrowing journey through Stonehouse Barracks, dangerous patrols off Scapa Flow, near-death experiences with experimental balloon bombs, and ultimately, the brutal twelve-week Commando training at Achnacarry in Scotland, where less than half survived the course to earn the coveted Green Beret.

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Spare a Thought is a Be the change. Media Network production.