On 6 June 1944, Keith Whiting was serving aboard HMS Ramillies, a British battleship supporting the Normandy landings. Keith helped fire the massive 15-inch guns that bombarded German defences ahead of the Allied assault on the beaches, and then supported them as they fought their way inland. HMS Ramillies fired so many shells during the invasion that her gun barrels later had to be replaced.

Keith reflects on his wartime experiences, the comrades he served alongside, and the sacrifices made by a generation that changed the course of history. He also shares his memories of the 80th anniversary commemorations and what it means to carry those memories into the present day.

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"Jonny Whitmore MBE — known to many as Shed — was born in Hinckley, Leicestershire and joined the Royal Corps of Signals, completing P Company early in his career. He deployed to Afghanistan with 22 Signal Regiment and 2 Signal Regiment, before returning to the UK to serve as aSection Commander at ATC Pirbright, training and leading recruits.

He later completed the Special Communications Course and joined 299 Signal Squadron (Special Communications), providing global support to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Over a 21‑year career, he finished his service as Squadron Sergeant Major of the Queen’s last squadron — the final group of service personnel to swear allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Jonny was appointed a Member of the British Empire for services to British foreign policy while seconded as a diplomat to the FCDO, working at the intersection of defence, intelligence, and diplomacy.

Medically discharged with CPTSD, he moved into trauma‑informed veteran advocacy. Jonny now serves as Veterans Ambassador for Emerald Clinic, championing safe, stigma‑free access to prescribed medicinal cannabis and pushing for more humane, evidence‑based support for veterans.

He is also the founder of The Campfire Collective, a veteran‑led woodland initiative built around community, honesty, and reconnection after service. Jonny speaks openly about trauma, identity, and rebuilding a life with purpose — with a focus on truth, service, and helping veterans find their way home."

Jonny's links:

The UK's Best Value Medical Cannabis Clinic | Emerald Medicinals

Facebook (Campfire Collective)

Instagram

Guest links are shared as a courtesy to help listeners find the people, businesses, products, or services discussed in each episode. The podcast and host are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by these third parties unless explicitly stated.

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, please email us at [email protected], or follow us on social media: @veteranstateofmind

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Ash McGraw served for 16 years in the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of The Mercian Regiment. During that time he lead soldiers all over the world, including on two tours of Afghanistan.

Since leaving the forces Ash has built a new mission focussing on leadership, resilience, and performance. He is an online coach and property developer helping everyday people rebuild discipline, transform their mindset and take on challenges they never thought possible. 

Instagram: @ash_battle_born

Website: www.battlebornhq.com

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, please email us at [email protected], or follow us on social media: @veteranstateofmind

Gez's new books: 

Voices of Victory (World War 2 oral history): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voices-Victory-Powerful-eye-witness-accounts/dp/1035070049/

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Stuart Smalldridge served in Afghanistan with 42 Commando, Royal Marines on Operation Herrick 9

This episode contains descriptions that some listeners may find upsetting.

Note: Stuart served alongside Ben (War Story Episode 002), and crossed paths with Scott Ryder, 2nd Commando Regiment (War Story Episode 022) on a joint operation in Uruzgan Province.

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, please email us at [email protected], or follow us on social media: @veteranstateofmind

Gez's new books: 

Voices of Victory (World War 2 oral history): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voices-Victory-Powerful-eye-witness-accounts/dp/1035070049/

Warrior (Roman historical fiction): https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/geraintjones/warrior-by-geraint-jones

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Ethan Nagel is a Marine Corps Infantrymen and Scout Sniper that served during the height of Iraq and Afghanistan war. He deployed to the Haditha Triad and Fallujah Provinces in Iraq and volunteered for a third deployment to Afghanistan as a Combat Advisor on Embedded Training Team 1-11. While attached to 10th Special Forces group and on patrol deep in the Mountains of Uzbin Valley, the team would be ambushed and then surrounded by Taliban fighters. Ethan would be wounded twice in the battle and would go on to recieve the Silver Star for protecting the body of Chief Warrant Officer Vose from being taken by the enemy. After his service the Marine Corps Ethan would deploy multiple times into combat zones with various roles included Advanced Static Secuirtty for CIA black sites and mobile protection for VIP’s in Kabul. After earning his Bachelors Degree in Intelligence Studies , he would go onto study Cinematography in Film school and go into film, direct and edit project for various companies and brands to include Netflix, Redbull, Black Rifle Coffee Company, Nine Line Apparel and Vet Tv. Ethan hosts his own show called Into The Breach, focusing on sit down interviews with veterans and a weekly OSINT show that keeps
up with current conflicts around the world.

Ethan's podcast, Into The Breach: https://www.youtube.com/@INTOTHEBREACHSHOW

Ethan's socials: @ethan.nagel.films

Veteran State Of Mind Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@veteranstateofmind

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, please email us at [email protected], or follow us on social media: @veteranstateofmind

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In October 2009, Corporal Andy Reid MBE was blown up by a Taliban improvised explosive device while on patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Injured so badly that it was thought he would not survive, he defied the odds to the extent that, within a month, he was able to meet up with members of his patrol again. What he has achieved since then is little short of unbelievable.

The winner of The Sun's Millie award in 2010, and awarded an MBE in 2019, Andy has continuously supported veterans and people with disabilities. This year he will walk the London Marathon to raise money for The Army Benevolent Fund, who Andy credits with giving him great support in his own time of need. 

You can support it here: https://events.armybenevolentfund.org/fundraisers/andyreidmbe/londonmarathon2026

And you can find Andy on Instagram @andyreid2506

His website is: https://www.standingtall.co.uk/

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, please email us at [email protected], or follow us on social media: @veteranstateofmind

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Mike Harrage is a former British Army soldier who began his military career as a Radio Operator in the Royal Signals. Early on, he realised he wanted to push himself further and volunteered for the Airborne Forces straight out of training. After successfully completing P Company and his parachute training, he earned the coveted Maroon Beret and Parachute Wings.

Mike deployed on two operational tours of Afghanistan, experiencing combat on both. His first tour as a Company Signaller attached The Royal Irish Regiment, operating from a patrol base in Nade Ali, Helmand Province.

He later deployed on a second tour as an attachment to a Special Operations advisory team. Made up of International Special Forces SNCO’s and Officers they were tasked with advising the Crisis Response Unit, a Special Forces Squadron in an elite Regiment of Afghan National Police operating in Kabul. 

Known for his sense of humour, Mike tells his story with an emphasis on the laughter and banter that helped soldiers endure some of their darkest moments. Always a smile on his face.

Today, Mike works professionally in telecommunications and is also an emerging DJ. He has written a number of poems reflecting on the soldier’s experience in Afghanistan, aiming to give a voice to those who did not return. In the near future, he plans to launch a platform to share these works more widely.

Instagram: @blactionman

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, please email us at [email protected], or follow us on social media: @veteranstateofmind

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Trey Morriss is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel with thirty-one years of service, serving and supporting the legendary Eighth Air Force. His love of aviation runs deep―shaped by stories of his grandfather and uncle, who flew combat missions over Europe in World War II. Early in his career, Morriss took part in a top-secret, record-setting strike that opened Operation Desert Storm―the longest combat mission of its time and a turning point in modern warfare. He later flew 32 combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan following 9/11.  He’s a decorated veteran and sought-after keynote speaker. He lives in Louisiana with his wife, and they cherish time with their five adult children and three grandchildren.

Instagram: @treymorriss

Colonel Morriss's book, Doom 34: https://www.amazon.com/DOOM-34-Firsthand-Top-Secret-Operation/dp/1493093614

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, please email us at [email protected], or follow us on social media: @veteranstateofmind

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TIM SAUNDERS served as an infantry officer with the British Army for thirty years, during which time he took the opportunity to visit campaigns far and wide, from ancient to modern. Since leaving the Army he has become a full time military historian and has made nearly fifty full documentary films with Battlefield History and Pen & Sword. He is an active guide and accredited member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides.

Tim's books are available here: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tim-Saunders/a/227

If you served on Op Telic 9 or 10, and would be interested in being interviewed for an oral history project, please drop Geraint a line at [email protected], or @veteranstateofmind on Instagram

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Steve Black served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment. You can find his book in the links below, as well as details on The Muster Point - a veterans support and community project in Hertfordshire.

Stephen's book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Not-another-squaddies-story-tour/dp/B0GHH4713N

The Muster Point: https://themusterpoint.org.uk/

Tickets to Geraint's event at Aces High Gallery are available here: https://www.aces-high.com/events/view/voices-of-victory-the-battle-for-germany-1945-with-geraint-jones-sunday-8th-feb

If you served on Op Telic 9 or 10, and would be interested in being interviewed for an oral history project, please drop Geraint a line at [email protected], or @veteranstateofmind on Instagram

Support the show