Logo

    royal marines

    Explore " royal marines" with insightful episodes like "War Story 002: with Ben, Royal Marines Commandos", "Mark McGrath on the OODA Loop, VUCA, the Philosophy of John Boyd, and Bruce Lee", "Battle of the Atlantic: Sailing in Convoys through 'No Man's Land'", "The Battle of the Atlantic: Hurricanes Launched by Catapults and Rockets" and "Battle of the Atlantic: The Worst Journey in the World" from podcasts like ""Veteran State Of Mind", "Acta Non Verba", "Land, Sea & Air - Stories from the Armed Forces", "Land, Sea & Air - Stories from the Armed Forces" and "Land, Sea & Air - Stories from the Armed Forces"" and more!

    Episodes (46)

    War Story 002: with Ben, Royal Marines Commandos

    War Story 002: with Ben, Royal Marines Commandos

    Ben served in the Royal Marines. In this episode, we discuss his multiple tours in Afghanistan.

    You can connect with the podcast on instagram @veteranstateofmind

    You can become a supporter of the podcast for as little as £1 a month. https://www.patreon.com/vsompodcast

    Thank you to our sponsors! The show doesn't happen without them!

    Combat Fuel - www.combat-fuel.co.uk 
    Use code VSOM at checkout for a discount on your potions.

    Zulu Alpha Strap Company - https://zulualphastraps.com/

    Signup to the email list: https://veteranstateofmind.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=423cabd326f924101bf64629f&id=ab59886d21

    Audiobooks available at: https://www.audible.co.uk/search?searchAuthor=Geraint+Jones

    Geraint's latest book, co-authored with Levison Wood, is now available on audio, in hardback, and as an e-book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Escape-Kabul-Inside-Levison-Wood/dp/1399718126

    Support the show

    Mark McGrath on the OODA Loop, VUCA, the Philosophy of John Boyd, and Bruce Lee

    Mark McGrath on the OODA Loop, VUCA, the Philosophy of John Boyd, and Bruce Lee

    This week on Acta Non Verba, Mark McGrath discuses the importance of adaptability, decision-making, and embracing change in both life and business. Join me and Mark as he shares his insights on theories such as John Boyd's OODA loop and VUCA, emphasizing the need to constantly update our cognitive software to align with reality. He also discusses the role of trauma in shaping a person's orientation and the significance of prioritizing people, ideas, and things in organizations.

     

    Mark McGrath is an adaptive strategy teacher and podcast co-host who helps leaders and teams thrive in complex and uncertain environments. He is the Chief Learning Officer at AGLX, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business that provides tools and methods for confident and agile decision-making and action (www.aglx.com).

    Mark is the co-host of the podcast "No Way Out," which advances and honors the legacy of Colonel John Boyd, the creator of the OODA loop, a framework for rapid and effective adaptation. He teaches and applies Boyd's theories to business and entrepreneurship, leadership development, and coaching. He draws on his cross-functional experience and education in strategic planning, process improvement, capital markets, economics, and the US Marine Corps, where he served as an officer for six years. He holds a bachelor's degree in history from Marquette University and a master's degree in economics from the University of Detroit-Mercy. He speaks Spanish and holds multiple professional certifications. He lives in Columbus, Ohio.

     

    You can connect with Mark on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjmcgrath1/ or at his website www.aglx.com/no-way-out

     

    Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Battle of the Atlantic: Sailing in Convoys through 'No Man's Land'

    Battle of the Atlantic: Sailing in Convoys through 'No Man's Land'

    Ken Benbow Served in the 7th Escort Group in the Atlantic convoys. With no torpedoes, just guns and depth charges to protect Allied merchant ships from U-Boats, they sailed back and forth through ‘No Man’s Land’, 1,500 miles of ocean with no air cover, being “attacked every hour by the Germans”. Age 17, Ken went from working on a farm to Serving in the Royal Navy and his story is at the very heart of The Battle of The Atlantic.

    This podcast is supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.


    If you’re a member of the Armed Forces community and need support with your mental health, Op Courage can help.

    Or you could phone the Combat Stress Helpline on: 0800 138 1619


    Company of Makers exists to support veterans and their families who are struggling on civvy street no matter how long ago they left the armed forces.

    We do this by running a programme of Podcasts | Talks | Workshops.

    Company of Makers are trying to reach, and better understand, all members of the armed forces community who are also gamers. We’re especially interested in those that have served in conflicts over the last 30 years.

    To find out more contact us.

    The Battle of the Atlantic: Hurricanes Launched by Catapults and Rockets

    The Battle of the Atlantic: Hurricanes Launched by Catapults and Rockets

    Catapult-Armed Merchant “CAM” ship pilots flew highly secretive one-way missions. David Wright was one of only a handful and their stories are little known.

    Using rockets and catapults mounted on merchant ships, Hurricane fighter planes were launched to shoot down German planes. With no flight deck to land on, pilots had to bail out seconds before the planes sank into the Atlantic.

     We’ll hear two war time stories, Norma Wright’s, who joined the National Fire Service; and David’s, her late husband.

    You can also read David's book, Airborne by Rocket

    This podcast is supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.


    If you’re a member of the Armed Forces community and need support with your mental health, Op Courage can help.

    Or you could phone the Combat Stress Helpline on: 0800 138 1619


    Company of Makers exists to support veterans and their families who are struggling on civvy street no matter how long ago they left the armed forces.

    We do this by running a programme of Podcasts | Talks | Workshops.

    Company of Makers are trying to reach, and better understand, all members of the armed forces community who are also gamers. We’re especially interested in those that have served in conflicts over the last 30 years.

    To find out more contact us.

    Battle of the Atlantic: The Worst Journey in the World

    Battle of the Atlantic: The Worst Journey in the World

    Atlantic and Arctic Convoy Veteran, Ron Syson, gives us a gritty account of life as a Merchant Seaman. Very early on, he sailed to Iceland, Greenland and New York, and was alongside when the Normandy caught fire and capsized. He was only 15.

     As well as transporting vital supplies across the Atlantic to Britain, Ron braved the Arctic seas in what Churchill described as, “the worst journey in the world.” Added to the Nazi threat were sub-zero temperatures, weeks of constant darkness in winter; snow, ice and for anyone overboard, little chance of rescue. 

    Ron’s experiences left him with what the doctors back then diagnosed as ‘severe nervous disability’. Thousands of men were lost, and for many who lived, the consequences lasted a lifetime.

    Read the Battle of the Atlantic 80th Anniversary Book


    This podcast is supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.


    If you’re a member of the Armed Forces community and need support with your mental health, Op Courage can help.

    Or you could phone the Combat Stress Helpline on: 0800 138 1619


    Company of Makers exists to support veterans and their families who are struggling on civvy street no matter how long ago they left the armed forces.

    We do this by running a programme of Podcasts | Talks | Workshops.

    Company of Makers are trying to reach, and better understand, all members of the armed forces community who are also gamers. We’re especially interested in those that have served in conflicts over the last 30 years.

    To find out more contact us.

    The Battle of the Atlantic: The U-Boat Peril

    The Battle of the Atlantic: The U-Boat Peril

    Winston Churchill once wrote, “... the only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-Boat peril”. If The Allies had lost, Britain would have been starved into surrender.

     99-year-old John Roberts gives us a fantastic insight into The Battle of the Atlantic, the longest running campaign of WWII.

    John left the Royal Navy as a Rear Admiral, having joined-up aged 17 in 1938. When he first went to sea in 1941, The Allies were suffering terrible losses. John explains how the campaign evolved, tactics improved, escorts increased, equipment developed and The Allies gained a greater understanding of how to defeat the enemy.

    This podcast is supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.


    If you’re a member of the Armed Forces community and need support with your mental health, Op Courage can help.

    Or you could phone the Combat Stress Helpline on: 0800 138 1619


    Company of Makers exists to support veterans and their families who are struggling on civvy street no matter how long ago they left the armed forces.

    We do this by running a programme of Podcasts | Talks | Workshops.

    Company of Makers are trying to reach, and better understand, all members of the armed forces community who are also gamers. We’re especially interested in those that have served in conflicts over the last 30 years.

    To find out more contact us.

    Op Telic: The Real Sinister Element Reared its Head

    Op Telic: The Real Sinister Element Reared its Head

    Kirk Bowett Served in The Cheshire Regiment and his deployment to the Middle East began during Op Telic 4, 2004.


    We hear about his personal experiences of the realities of war, which includes details of injury and loss of limb. If you feel that you might find this challenging, you may prefer not to listen.


    “I was part of the recce element…in Basra City…the infrastructure had failed, no sanitation…We were initially met with open arms…”


    They tried to help “...hearts and minds…” But there were problems “...everything had stopped…police had disappeared…”


    “We were doing house assaults to try to capture the terrorists. Militias were beginning to form because of this power vacuum…organised…good weapons…planting precision IEDs.”


    Rumours, press and social media, “...created an anger and hatred towards us…a nationwide attack on coalition forces…All hell broke loose…it made me realise… it’s not a peace-keeping thing…it’s a start-stop war…”


    Another tour,  “...Al Qaeda had started to rear their ugly head…” After that, Afghanistan, “I lost 12 friends in a 3 month period…burnout of post 9/11 wars had started to really hit the combat troops….Having buried 6 or 7 of my friends…putting them in the ground, that for me was closure enough on my time as an infantry soldier.”


    Kirk returned to Iraq as a bodyguard, “...things started to take a turn for the worse. ISIS.” His vehicle was blown-up. He lost his arm and suffered brain trauma.


    Life on Civvy Street unravelled, drinking, family separation, homelessness and considering ending his life.


    Blesma helped with overcoming challenges. Kirk now draws upon his experiences as a survival instructor with the RAF, in his acting career and as a published author. Although he experiences loneliness, he’s found his sense of purpose, “My children are my anchor…they keep me going…they’re my reason for being.”

    Follow Kirk on Instagram and Twitter


    If you’re a member of the Armed Forces community and need support with your mental health, Op Courage can help.

    Or you could phone the Combat Stress Helpline on: 0800 138 1619


    Company of Makers exists to support veterans and their families who are struggling on civvy street no matter how long ago they left the armed forces.

    We do this by running a programme of Podcasts | Talks | Workshops.

    Company of Makers are trying to reach, and better understand, all members of the armed forces community who are also gamers. We’re especially interested in those that have served in conflicts over the last 30 years.

    To find out more contact us.

    Op Telic: From 'Ops Junky' to 'Combat Intelligence'

    Op Telic: From 'Ops Junky' to 'Combat Intelligence'

    Piers Stacey, aged 17, joined The Corps, “…six days after the Twin Towers were hit…”


    Joining 42 Commando late 2002, “...we all went into pre-deployment training for the build-up..it was pretty intense, pretty rapid for a fresh faced 18 year old…”


    In Kuwait, “...we landed in the desert…nothing there…over time, defences went up, sandbag walls…” and acclimatisation training, “...we kept our phys up and exercised out in the heat so we could condition ourselves to be able to fight in that way…”


    “As we went in…jumping out of the Sea King…I remember just hearing the crack and thump…All of us were getting shot at and that was the start of it…” 


    We hear how intense operations became, “...I was a real ‘ops junky’, as terrifying as it was…” and how after Op Telic, Piers became a combat intelligence specialist working with the Special Boat Service.


    After 19 years, Piers planned his exit from the Armed Forces,

    “...the one thing I did not consider was that sense of belonging and that sense of being part of something bigger…It was not an easy transition…I didn’t know what to say or who to say it to.”


    Piers’ mental health deteriorated and he considered driving into a head-on collision. 


    This was the turning point for seeking therapy which helped, leading to today having set up ‘Hollow Heart’ where supporters wear a pin to let others know you're open to talking about mental health.


    “…Even to this day, if you asked me, ‘Piers, what are you?’ There will be a massive part of me that would just want to say, ‘I'm a Royal Marine, or I'm an intelligence officer….’ I think it's going to be really difficult to shake that part of me in terms of what my identity is.”

    Please support Hollow Heart and The Royal Marines Charity

    Follow Piers on Instagram 


    If you’re a member of the Armed Forces community and need support with your mental health, Op Courage can help.

    Or you could phone the Combat Stress Helpline on: 0800 138 1619


    Company of Makers exists to support veterans and their families who are struggling on civvy street no matter how long ago they left the armed forces.

    We do this by running a programme of Podcasts | Talks | Workshops.

    Company of Makers are trying to reach, and better understand, all members of the armed forces community who are also gamers. We’re especially interested in those that have served in conflicts over the last 30 years.

    To find out more contact us.

    Op Telic: The Heat Smacked You In The Face

    Op Telic: The Heat Smacked You In The Face

    Neville Johnson left South Africa and joined the British Army in 2003.

    After basic training, he joined the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers on a cease-fire tour in Belfast, “Those first couple of weeks were a big eye opener for me, definitely paved the way for future operations…”

    Neville deployed to Basra in 2005 and 2006, duties including night and daytime patrols, working with special forces units or the parachute regiment during raids, apprehending personnel of interest, long hours in the heat with threats of “...indirect fire on our base…it was the start of the roadside bombs.”


    He then deployed to Afghanistan, “Afghan was different. It was full-on war fighting.”


    “We got attacked every day…numerous times, all at the same time from different directions, small arms fire, sniper fire, RBG mortar rounds. We knew it was going to be hot, flying-in it was full-on.”

    “You're always on alert. You're never fully relaxed. The feeling of knowing someone is there to attack you. The incoming rounds. The sound. The feeling is difficult to explain. The fear, it's horrible…Everyone trained together. We went through it together.”

    It wasn't until many years later that Neville felt the impact on his mental health. He doesn’t usually talk about his deployments, even with family, but he found a way through writing poems and putting them out on social media, “...for the world to see, to dissect, was way out of my comfort zone….but getting that release, it's amazing.”


    Soldiers from the Commonwealth play a vital role in the British Armed Forces and Neville is testament to this. His poems have now been published and despite being shy, he reads some of them out to us which is incredibly moving and powerful.

    Follow Neville on Instagram



    If you’re a member of the Armed Forces community and need support with your mental health, Op Courage can help.

    Or you could phone the Combat Stress Helpline on: 0800 138 1619


    Company of Makers exists to support veterans and their families who are struggling on civvy street no matter how long ago they left the armed forces.

    We do this by running a programme of Podcasts | Talks | Workshops.

    Company of Makers are trying to reach, and better understand, all members of the armed forces community who are also gamers. We’re especially interested in those that have served in conflicts over the last 30 years.

    To find out more contact us.

    Op Telic: You Don't Know How Good Your Unit Is Until You Go To War

    Op Telic: You Don't Know How Good Your Unit Is Until You Go To War

    We meet Sarah Davis, Army Air Corps Ground Crew, one of the pioneering women deployed to the frontline during Op Telic 1.

    Having joined-up in 1999, a time when the Armed Forces was going through changes - evolving in terms of equality and a time that would mark the start of several years of military campaigns.

    We hear about getting ready to go, “I was kind of craving…doing my bit for Queen and Country…”

    As well as operational duties in a combat zone, refuelling and rearming attack helicopters and underslung loads, “You don’t know how good or bad your unit is until you actually go to war.”

    We also hear about the impact on loved ones back home, “I promised on this call, ‘Mum, I promise I’m never going to do this to you again.’”

    To top it all, Sarah spins a few cracking dits highlighting the critical role of morale, listen out for the Union Flag pants.

    Sarah is now involved with several military charities to help Veterans who are struggling, “we don’t want to leave anyone behind.”


    Follow Sarah on Instagram

    Links to organisations mentioned in this episode:

    BFBS
    Homes for Veterans
    Military Wives Choir
    The Rawthey Project
    Soldiers Arts Academy




    If you’re a member of the Armed Forces community and need support with your mental health, Op Courage can help.

    Or you could phone the Combat Stress Helpline on: 0800 138 1619


    Company of Makers exists to support veterans and their families who are struggling on civvy street no matter how long ago they left the armed forces.

    We do this by running a programme of Podcasts | Talks | Workshops.

    Company of Makers are trying to reach, and better understand, all members of the armed forces community who are also gamers. We’re especially interested in those that have served in conflicts over the last 30 years.

    To find out more contact us.

    Op Telic: Flying at 100 Feet, 120 Miles an Hour Across the Desert

    Op Telic: Flying at 100 Feet, 120 Miles an Hour Across the Desert

    This is Pat Patterson’s story. A Royal Marine Aircrewman with 845 Naval Air Squadron flying Sea King helicopters aka ‘Junglies’, and his wife also served during the war.

    Having looked back through his helicopter logbook, he shares with us his experiences of Op Telic 1, as well as his subsequent tours.

    We hear about the scale of the operation as well as operational complexities specific to helicopter crews that fly into particularly challenging environments,

    “It was a bit more dangerous going the second or third time to Iraq…” 

    Being an incidence response team, the crew were involved in insurgency situations as well as casualty evacuation.

    They encountered the hazards of flying at night, ‘brown outs’ flying in desert conditions and the helicopters became ‘bullet magnets’ for small arms, RPG rocket launchers and surface to air missiles. 


    If you’re a member of the Armed Forces community and need support with your mental health, Op Courage can help.

    Or you could phone the Combat Stress Helpline on: 0800 138 1619


    Company of Makers exists to support veterans and their families who are struggling on civvy street no matter how long ago they left the armed forces.

    We do this by running a programme of Podcasts | Talks | Workshops.

    Company of Makers are trying to reach, and better understand, all members of the armed forces community who are also gamers. We’re especially interested in those that have served in conflicts over the last 30 years.

    To find out more contact us.

    Op Telic: The Closer We Got To The Gulf, The More Real It All Got

    Op Telic: The Closer We Got To The Gulf, The More Real It All Got

    We hear from Andy Merry, 40 Commando, who Served during Op Telic and whose mum marched in the anti-war protests.

    Andy was first in to the Al-Faw Peninsula with the US Navy SEALs to capture strategic targets. 

    This is his personal account of his experiences and he talks about the realities of war, which includes details of injury and death. 

    If you feel that you might find this challenging, you may prefer not to listen.

    We also hear about Andy’s life after war. He’s now a ‘Beefeater’ at the Tower of London and has Multiple Sclerosis.

    Andy embraces the spirit of The Corps, acceptance of challenge and positivity in the face of adversity.


    Watch this short film to see how the RMA – The Royal Marines Charity were able to support Andy.

    Please support the MS Trust and The Royal Marines Charity



    If you’re a member of the Armed Forces community and need support with your mental health, Op Courage can help.

    Or you could phone the Combat Stress Helpline on: 0800 138 1619


    Company of Makers exists to support veterans and their families who are struggling on civvy street no matter how long ago they left the armed forces.

    We do this by running a programme of Podcasts | Talks | Workshops.

    Company of Makers are trying to reach, and better understand, all members of the armed forces community who are also gamers. We’re especially interested in those that have served in conflicts over the last 30 years.

    To find out more contact us.

    The Duratus Mind - Chief Inspector Ed Anrude - UK Armed Policing

    The Duratus Mind - Chief Inspector Ed Anrude - UK Armed Policing

    Chief Inspector Ed Anrude has spent nearly 20 years at the tip of the spear with regard to UK policing and access to police leaders with his experience is rare.  Ed had the unique experience of being the on-the-ground commander during the abhorrent Westminster Bridge attack in 2017 which killed 5 people and injured over 50 more.   

    Ed talks with Gaz about all things leadership, role models, taking opportunities, how to deal with difficulty as a leader and what to do when it seems everything is going wrong - enjoy!

    The Duratus Mind - Langley Sharp MBE - Former head of the Centre for Army Leadership

    The Duratus Mind - Langley Sharp MBE - Former head of the Centre for Army Leadership

    Lieutenant Colonel Langley Sharp MBE is the former head of the Centre for Army Leadership (CAL) at Sandhurst and responsible for championing leadership excellence across the British Army.  

    Having himself graduated from Sandhurst two decades ago, his career in the Parachute Regiment, which included operational command at every rank, saw him deployed to Northern Ireland, Macedonia, Afghanistan and Iraq.

    Among his many varied roles, he led a counter-insurgency Task Force operation, commanded a Parachute Regiment Battalion and delivered the Ministry of Defence’s training programme for the London 2012 Olympics venue security, for which he was awarded an MBE.

    He is the author of the British Army’s official account of leadership, The Habit of Excellence, distilling over three centuries of the Army’s experience in the art, science and practice of leadership.

    He is the founder and director of the consultancy firm, Frontier Leadership.
    https://frontierleadership.co.uk

    Find his book link here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Habit-Excellence-British-Leadership-Works/dp/0241992184/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2Y8N0U32HIX66&keywords=habit+of+excellence+paperback&qid=1669662169&sprefix=habit+of+ex%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1

    The Duratus Mind - Garry Banford - Founder and lead coach at Duratus

    The Duratus Mind - Garry Banford - Founder and lead coach at Duratus

    In a twist to 'normal jogging' at The Duratus Mind Podcast, Gaz was interviewed by Ben Ryan for Ben's podcast.  But due to Ben's new role at Brentford FC he won't be able to release podcasts for the foreseable future.  But Ben has shared the audio with Gaz and we hope that you enjoy Gaz being on the other side of the microphone and very much in the hot seat! 

    Gaz is a former Special forces Sergeant Major who now coaches senior executives to feel more authentic and be more resilient themselves.  Gaz has a deep interest in psychology and alwasy viewed his career through that lens so he has some fairly unique insights that have developed some hard won wisdom.  

    Enjoy! 

    Falklands War: My House was Searched at Gun Point

    Falklands War: My House was Searched at Gun Point

    “They…took my husband through our house at gunpoint searching for 'the enemy', as they called them.” Falkland Islander, Carol Phillips, had 3 small children in 1982, “My first thought was…'Are they going to…machine gun us all down?’” The task force had 8,000 miles to sail, “Perhaps we would all be dead by the time they got here?…My Dad…kept saying, 'Don't let them see you're scared…The British Bulldogs are on their way.'” 

    Fighting started, “…to lose all those young men…it really was a nightmare.” But locals were courageous, “…we made a list of places around us…named them after…places in Britain like Cardiff, Liverpool…put our little antenna onto my broomstick and set up the CB…we were threatened we'd be imprisoned if we used radios…if we saw Argentine helicopters…we’d poke the broom out the window and say, 'Visitors at Liverpool.’” 

    Liberation was bitter-sweet, “We were relieved…lost too many people for celebrations” and danger remained, “…ammunition…no water, electricity…On the radio, ‘…Argentines left upturned cups on top of saucers…call the EOD some have hand grenades under, some human excrement…'” 

    255 British Servicemen and 3 female Falkland Islanders died, “That's what I can't forgive. Never will…I feel so guilty for all the people who died for us…We'll be forever grateful for what they’ve done…I just cannot thank them enough.” 


    Don’t forget to sign-up to our newsletter and we’ll send you all the latest updates about our podcasts, talks & workshops, direct to your inbox.

    Supported by SAMA (82) in collaboration with TheVeteran.UK


    If you’re a member of the Armed Forces community and need support with your mental health, Op Courage can help.

    Or you could phone the Combat Stress Helpline on: 0800 138 1619


    Company of Makers exists to support veterans and their families who are struggling on civvy street no matter how long ago they left the armed forces.

    We do this by running a programme of Podcasts | Talks | Workshops.

    Company of Makers are trying to reach, and better understand, all members of the armed forces community who are also gamers. We’re especially interested in those that have served in conflicts over the last 30 years.

    To find out more contact us.

    Falklands War: A Dull Thud, Extreme Heat, a Flash, a Fireball

    Falklands War: A Dull Thud, Extreme Heat, a Flash, a Fireball

    “'I'm not going to lose my life…here'…I could just see a picture of my wife and my two boys in my mind thinking, 'No, I'm gonna get out.' That was my motivation.” 

    Chris Howe was deep down inside HMS Coventry, D118, “…a dull thud…followed by extreme heat…a flash and a fireball whipping around the Operations Room…we'd been hit…next thing I knew…I'm coming round…my right arm was on fire…water was coming in…fires all around…thick black smoke…I…managed to get up…very badly burned…in a lot of pain…” 

    Eventually struggling to the upper deck, “…I remember looking out and seeing this…flotilla of orange life rafts…I slid down the ship's side and into the cold, salty South Atlantic water…picked a life raft and swam…” 

    Chris was finally rescued, “…the winch was coming down…finally managed to pull me in to the Sea King…I still hadn't had any pain relief…I remember laying there in this stretcher…thinking, 'What are they going to do with me now?'” 

    Chris suffered 27% burns, “…nothing compared to others that sadly lost their lives...there's not a day goes by I don't think about what happened 40 years ago, on 25th of May…about 19 shipmates, that didn't make it. Why didn't they make it? Why did I make it?…that's a sad thing…very sad thing.”


    Don’t forget to sign-up to our newsletter and we’ll send you all the latest updates about our podcasts, talks & workshops, direct to your inbox.

    Supported by SAMA (82) in collaboration with TheVeteran.UK


    If you’re a member of the Armed Forces community and need support with your mental health, Op Courage can help.

    Or you could phone the Combat Stress Helpline on: 0800 138 1619


    Company of Makers exists to support veterans and their families who are struggling on civvy street no matter how long ago they left the armed forces.

    We do this by running a programme of Podcasts | Talks | Workshops.

    Company of Makers are trying to reach, and better understand, all members of the armed forces community who are also gamers. We’re especially interested in those that have served in conflicts over the last 30 years.

    To find out more contact us.

    Falklands War: None of Us Believed it Would Really Happen

    Falklands War: None of Us Believed it Would Really Happen

    “I would happily go to sea with them all over again, cracking bunch of guys, led by a cracking man.” We hear from Mick Dilucia, of HMS Coventry Flight, Coventry’s helicopter team. “The mood was fairly relaxed heading south… none of us believed it was ever going to happen…then Sandy Woodward briefed us… 'Look around amongst us because we might not all go home together…'” 

    Mick was on the flightdeck on that fateful day, 25 May 1982, “…the order was given to turn to starboard...and that's when it happened, the bombs came in…they exploded, it was just like we'd been hit by a big wave...but after that…smoke billowing out of the side…the ship started to list almost immediately…I had to climb up the deck and over the guard rails and just slide down the side of the ship into the water and swim to a life raft…that ship was almost turned turtle in 15 minutes…some of the guys, down from the bowels of the ship, got people out that would have gone down with the ship.” 

    “From that day onwards, I thought to myself, if I wake up tomorrow morning and I've got another day ahead of me, then it's a bonus because it could so easily have been taken away.” 


    Don’t forget to sign-up to our newsletter and we’ll send you all the latest updates about our podcasts, talks & workshops, direct to your inbox.

    Supported by SAMA (82) in collaboration with TheVeteran.UK


    If you’re a member of the Armed Forces community and need support with your mental health, Op Courage can help.

    Or you could phone the Combat Stress Helpline on: 0800 138 1619


    Company of Makers exists to support veterans and their families who are struggling on civvy street no matter how long ago they left the armed forces.

    We do this by running a programme of Podcasts | Talks | Workshops.

    Company of Makers are trying to reach, and better understand, all members of the armed forces community who are also gamers. We’re especially interested in those that have served in conflicts over the last 30 years.

    To find out more contact us.

    Falklands War: The Silent Service

    Falklands War: The Silent Service

    What was a submarine doing in a war to retake The Falkland Islands? “...the ability to land and recover Special Forces…SAS and SBS, was key.” We hear the fascinating and poignant story of HMS Onyx, the only diesel-electric boat that Served during the war. Submariner, Steve Hussey, was there and shares his unique insight, from beneath the waves, “None of this is done in daylight…surveillance takes place beforehand…if all the conditions are right…getting…as close as you can get these guys and surface them, then it's very quick…open up the submarine and get these guys off…then dive again.” So, discreet and covert operations. How were they recovered? “…getting in contact is the first positive thing because then you know they're actually there…” 

     In stark contrast, towards the end of the war, “…we had the unenviable task of having to sink The Sir Galahad…she had been hit by Argentinian aircraft bombs…and was extremely damaged…with quite a lot of loss of life…and the decision…was to…leave it in The Falklands as a War Grave... Normally, there's…noise in the control room as you're setting-up for an attack…this was nothing like that. This was extremely sombre, very quiet as the orders were given…the CO was on the periscope, so he was the only person who could actually witness it…When the torpedoes were fired, there was just complete silence…” 



    Don’t forget to sign-up to our newsletter and we’ll send you all the latest updates about our podcasts, talks & workshops, direct to your inbox.

    Supported by SAMA (82) in collaboration with TheVeteran.UK


    If you’re a member of the Armed Forces community and need support with your mental health, Op Courage can help.

    Or you could phone the Combat Stress Helpline on: 0800 138 1619


    Company of Makers exists to support veterans and their families who are struggling on civvy street no matter how long ago they left the armed forces.

    We do this by running a programme of Podcasts | Talks | Workshops.

    Company of Makers are trying to reach, and better understand, all members of the armed forces community who are also gamers. We’re especially interested in those that have served in conflicts over the last 30 years.

    To find out more contact us.