Ken Hay MBE, Normandy Veteran and British Normandy Memorial Ambassador, tells his extraordinary story, from joining up and serving alongside his brother to landing in Normandy and becoming a Prisoner of War.

His powerful, honest testimony encapsulates the reality of what him and many others experienced during the Second World War. In the name of remembrance, this is a must-listen for us all.

This bonus episode is in memory of all those servicemen and women who never made it home.

For information about the British Normandy Memorial: https://www.britishnormandymemorial.org/monty/

To donate to the education programme ‘Operation Remembrance’: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/monty

‘In Monty’s Footsteps’ is produced by Snappin Turtle for the British Normandy Memorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How are the men who fell on D-Day and during the Normandy Campaign remembered now? Henry travels to Normandy to delve into the subject of remembrance. Against the backdrop of the British Normandy Memorial in the village of Ver-sur-Mer, overlooking Gold Beach, his guests include Normandy Veteran Ken Hay MBE, who remembers his 'mentor', Private Circus of the Dorsetshire Regiment. He also learns about how Private Hanks' family uncovered the story of what happened to him, and discovers how letters from the frontline give us a window into the daily life of the men remembered on the columns of the Memorial.

This episode is supported by Brittany Ferries.

For information about the British Normandy Memorial: https://www.britishnormandymemorial.org/monty/

To donate to the education programme ‘Operation Remembrance’: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/monty

‘In Monty’s Footsteps’ is produced by Snappin Turtle for the British Normandy Memorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final days and weeks before D-Day, Monty's HQ moved to Southwick, near Portsmouth, and he writes about this in his diary. So Henry travels there, where he visits Fort Southwick, under which a secret network of tunnels was created during the Second World War. With exclusive access to this private site, he meets We Have Ways of Making You Talk presenter and historian James Holland to discuss what happened there and the final moments before 6th June 1944. Henry continues his exploration of Southwick at a farmhouse where Mary and Patricia, lifelong friends who grew up there, reflect on the events of 82 years ago. And finally, he learns what it was like for those who saw the men leave with many never to return - former Wren Betty Withers cooked for the servicemen who were preparing for the Landings and was based on Hayling Island. She even shares the time she secretly spotted Monty!

For information about the British Normandy Memorial and to donate to the education programme ‘Operation Remembrance’ go to britishnormandymemorial.org/monty

‘In Monty’s Footsteps’ is produced by Snappin Turtle for the British Normandy Memorial. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the Orkney Islands to the coastline of North Wales, Henry uncovers connections and contributions to the Normandy Campaign and wider war effort. He discovers how communities were shaped and changed for good by the events of the Second World War with both positive and negative consequences for local people.

He meets historians and museum curators with real-life insights into what day-to-day experiences were like and unearths fascinating links to the D-Day Landings.

As Henry continues his journey in his grandfather's footsteps, he reflects on his own pilgrimages to Normandy and his unforgettable encounters with Veterans along the way.

For information about the British Normandy Memorial: https://www.britishnormandymemorial.org/monty/

To donate to the education programme ‘Operation Remembrance’: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/monty

‘In Monty’s Footsteps’ is produced by Snappin Turtle for the British Normandy Memorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Montgomery delves into the role of women during the war. He meets 102-year-old Ruth Barnwell at her home in South-West London. Ruth served as a Wren on land base HMS Quebec and, although she didn't know it at the time, many of the men stationed there were being trained for the D-Day Landings.

He travels South West where Historian and Author Joanna Foat shares the stories she's collected over the years about the 'Lumberjills' serving with the Women's Timber Corps. These extraordinary women not only kept the country's essential timber supply running but influenced the perception of women and their place in society at the time.

From the woods of Wiltshire, Henry makes his way North to Ryhope in North East England where he uncovers the realities of life for mothers and families within the local coal mining community.

For information about the British Normandy Memorial: https://www.britishnormandymemorial.org/monty/

To donate to the education programme ‘Operation Remembrance’: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/monty

‘In Monty’s Footsteps’ is produced by Snappin Turtle for the British Normandy Memorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inspired by his grandfather's diary entry of 22nd April 1944 - when he attended Scotland vs England at Hampden Park - Henry visits the Glasgow stadium to meet with the Curator of the Scottish Football Museum, Richard McBrearty. He learns about what football meant to players and supporters during the war years. He continues his journey uncovering unique and fascinating stories connected to football and the war. He meets D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan and two women whose fathers played in that famous 1944 match - Lesley Stephen, daughter of Scottish player James Stephen, and Jean Matthews Gough, daughter of legendary English footballer, Stanley Matthews.

For information about the British Normandy Memorial: https://www.britishnormandymemorial.org/monty/

To donate to the education programme ‘Operation Remembrance’: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/monty

‘In Monty’s Footsteps’ is produced by Snappin Turtle for the British Normandy Memorial. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Montgomery begins his 4,000 mile journey in Hammersmith, West London, at the site of St Paul’s School, the famous location of the D-Day planning meetings. He reflects on the events that took place 82 years ago to the day, his grandfather’s role in them, and why they are still relevant today.

There, he meets his first guest Historian Tim Bouverie who recounts the complex series of events that led to the outbreak of war and how and why the Normandy Campaign unfolded in the way that it did.

He travels to Plymouth, where he meets Alex Storr at the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre. She shares the incredible discoveries made thanks to archival research and why heritage preservation is critical to remembrance now and in the future.

For information about the British Normandy Memorial: https://www.britishnormandymemorial.org/monty/

To donate to the education programme ‘Operation Remembrance’: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/monty

‘In Monty’s Footsteps’ is produced by Snappin Turtle for the British Normandy Memorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.