The Unconventional Soldier

CONTENTOur guest today is Jim a former Royal Navy Clearance diver.  On this episode we will cover the unit’s history from inception in WW2, its current role, selection process, diving technology and operational deployments. DESERT ISLAND DITSOn Desert Island Dits Jim's choice of film is Grosse Pointe Blank and his book is Death of a Hero: Captain Robert Nairac, GC and the Undercover War in Northern Ireland by John Parker.  The teams book choice this week is The Last Dive: A Father and Son's Fatal Descent into the Ocean's Depths by Bernie Chowdhury and film choice The Silent EnemySOCIAL MEDIACheck out or blog site on word press Unconventional SoldierFollow us on social media and don't forget to like, share and leave a review.Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download on other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.          Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENTOur guest today is Matt Harding a former officer who served in the Royal Artillery.  We talk with Matt about his Army career, his deployment to Bosnia and the impact operations in that country had on him.  We finish off with how he dealt with what he saw in the Balkans and his work with charities such as Pilgrims Bandits.  DESERT ISLAND DITSOn Desert Island Dits Matt's choice of film is Highlander and his book is The Times Complete History of The World.  The teams book choices this week are Afghan Napoleon by Sandy Gall and The Wall Rome's Greatest Frontier by Alistair Moffat .SOCIAL MEDIAFollow us on social media and don't forget to like, share and leave a review.Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download on other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.          Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENTOn this podcast we discuss operations conducted by 22 SAS on Operation CORPORATE in 1982.   Our guest is Nick who was in 1PARA when he applied for selection in 1980.  He passed the course at the age of 22 and spent the next 18 years on operations and exercises around the world with the Regiment. Nick talks in detail about the SAS in action on South Georgia, the raid on Pebble Island and operations around Mount Kent in the push towards Stanley.   DESERT ISLAND DITSOn Desert Island Dits Nick's choice of film is The Hangover and his book is Penal Company on The Falklands by Phillip Neame.  The teams book choice this week is Across An Angry Sea: The SAS In The Falklands War by Cedric Delves.SOCIAL MEDIAFollow us on social media and don't forget to like, share and leave a review.Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download on other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.      Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENTOn this podcast we discuss the book “Terror To Triumph” with the author Chris who served as a sniper in Ramadi and Fallujah in Iraq in 2005 and 2007.  He then retrained as a UH-1 crew chief/door gunner and completed a tour of Helmand province in that role in 2010. The book outlines his tours in both countries and subsequent adjustment to the civilian world including dealing with PTSD.  It is the story of how he and his family went through each deployment, dealing with trauma and death before finding success against the odds.Chris's book is available through Amazon and Audible and he will shortly launch his own web site www.terrortotriumphbook.comGUESTChris Whittemore USMC retired.DESERT ISLAND DITSOn Desert Island Dits Chris's choice of film is 13 Hours and his book is Echo in Ramadi: The Firsthand Story of US Marines in Iraq's Deadliest City by Scott A Huesing.  The teams book choice this week is Sympathy For The Devil by Kent Anderson.SOCIAL MEDIAFollow us on social media and don't forget to like, share and leave a review.Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download on other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.       Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENTOn this episode we discuss 148 (Meiktila) Commando Forward Observation Battery Royal Artillery during Operation CORPORATE better known as the Falklands war.  After the Argentine invasion of the Falklands, 148 deployed to the South Atlantic where it operated alongside both the SAS and SBS in order to direct naval and artillery gun fire.  Their unique capabilities were invaluable and 148 teams engaged Argentine positions in support of every major British assault.GUESTOur guest is Brum Richards who served the majority of his military career in 148 whose naval gunfire role can be traced back to The Combined Operations Bombardment Units (COBUs) that provided fire direction for ships in shore bombardment in World War 2.  On Op CORPORATE he deployed as Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer on board several Royal Navy warships and offers a unique perspective on the campaign.SOCIAL MEDIAFollow us on social media and don't forget to like, share and leave a review.Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download on other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENTOn this episode we discuss 148 (Meiktila) Commando Forward Observation Battery Royal Artillery between the early 1960s and the Falklands War in 1982.  The unit is specially qualified in calling artillery, naval gunfire and airstrikes to support 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and UK Special Forces. They are experts in covert insertion, patrols behind enemy lines, concealment, encrypted communications and battle damage assessment in all environments. Members of 148 Battery took part in operations in the Malay Peninsula 1963-66, Borneo 1963-66, the Radfan in 1964 and in Aden at various times between 1960 and 1967. It was  scheduled for disbandment when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands in April 1982 but its performance during the war essentially stopped this in its tracks.GUESTOur guest is Brum Richards who served the majority of his military career in 148 whose naval gunfire role can be traced back to The Combined Operations Bombardment Units (COBUs) that  provided fire direction for ships in shore bombardment in World War 2. Brums experiences as a Commando Gunner were quite unique encompassing the withdrawal from empire in the 60s and closing with the Operation CORPORATE the name given to the operation to retake the Falklands islands.  This is the first of two podcasts with the second on 148 Battery operations in the Falklands. DESERT ISLAND DITSOn Desert Island dits Brum's book choice is The Times Complete History of the World by Richard Overy. His film choice is The Great Escape.  The teams book choice this episode are Brothers in Arms: One Legendary Tank Regiment's Bloody War from D-Day to VE-Day by James Holland and Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy.SOCIAL MEDIAFollow us on social media and don't forget to like, share and leave a review.Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download on other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENTOn this podcast we discuss one of the lesser known rear guard actions on the retreat to Dunkirk that allowed so many troops to get to the beaches and their subsequent evacuation back to England.  This is the Battle of Hondeghem which took place on the 27 May 1940 when K Battery Royal Horse Artillery engaged lead elements of 6 Panzer Division halting them at the village in vicious street fighting and firing their 18 pounder guns at ranges of under 100 yards.The battery suffered heavy losses, with 'F' Troop alone losing 45 men out of 63. However, they were rewarded with Major Hoare winning the DSO, Captain Teacher the MC, Battery Sergeant Major Millard the DCM, and Gunner Kavanagh was honoured with the MM. In addition three men were Mentioned In Despatches.  In recognition of their gallantry the unit was awarded the honour title Hondeghem and K (Hondeghem) Battery is still on the order of battle in the Royal Artillery today.GUESTOur guest is Mark Martin who served as a Regular soldier and officer in the Royal Artillery from 1983 to 2018. Mark enlisted as a Private soldier, known in the Artillery as a Gunner, serving in every rank up to Warrant Officer Class One. His non-commissioned final appointment was the Regimental Sergeant Major of a regular MLRS and UAV Regiment.  Mark commissioned from the ranks as a Late Entry Captain in 2003 and commanded K (Hondeghem) Battery on two operational tours of Afghanistan.  He promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 2015. Mark's grandfather was a member of the Royal Artillery as part of the British Expeditionary Force who fought at Dunkirk.  He was severely wounded during the fighting but was evacuated back to the UK.DESERT ISLAND DITSOn Desert Island dits Marks's book choice is SAS Survival Handbook by John "Lofty" Wiseman. His film choice is Cockleshell Heroes.  The teams book choice this episode is Mussolini His Part In My Downfall by Spike Milligan and the TV series Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.SOCIAL MEDIAFollow us on social media and don't forget to like, share and leave a review.Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download on other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENTThis is the second part of our podcast with Adam Lyle - Stirling who served as an infantryman in the British Army from 2001 to 2012 first in 2 Princess of Wales Royal Regiment (2 PWRR)  then in 1 Royal Irish Regiment. Adam completed operational tours in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan finishing his service as a Sergeant.  We continue to talk to him about his tour of Afghanistan in 2010 with 1 Royal Irish.Adam talks in detail about several contacts he was involved in, leading and managing soldiers on operations, dealing with the mental pressures of command and the psychological impact of a highly kinetic tour on his soldiers.  Finally we close the discussion with his thoughts on the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the PTSD and suicides many suffered from when they got home.On Desert Island dits Adam's book choice is Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.  His film choice is Charlie Wilson's War.  The teams book choices this episode are Shackleton by Ranulph Fiennes and Pegasus Bridge by Stephen E Ambrose.SOCIAL MEDIAFollow us on social media and don't forget to like, share and leave a review.Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download on other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENTOur guest on this podcast is Adam Lyle - Stirling who served as an infantryman in the British Army from 2001 to 2012 first in 2 Princess of Wales Royal Regiment (2 PWRR)  then in 1 Royal Irish Regiment. Adam completed operational tours in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan finishing his service as a Sergeant.  On the first of a two part podcast we talk to him about his tour of Afghanistan in 2010 with 1 Royal Irish.Adam talks in detail about several contacts he was involved in, leading and managing soldiers on operations, dealing with the mental pressures of command and the psychological impact of a highly kinetic tour on his soldiers.  Finally we close the discussion with his thoughts on the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the PTSD and suicides many suffered from when they got home.On Desert Island dits Adam's book choice is Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.  His film choice is Charlie Wilson's War.  The teams book choices this episode are Shackleton by Ranulph Fiennes and Pegasus Bridge by Stephen E Ambrose.SOCIAL MEDIAFollow us on social media and don't forget to like, share and leave a review.Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download on other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENTOur guest on this podcast is John Tulloch who served in Vietnam with the New Zealand Army and later transferred to the British Army. John advised and instructed on the British Army’s Jungle Warfare Instructors’ Course (JWIC) in Brunei and supported major jungle exercises in Belize.  Retiring from the Army in 2003 and becoming a MOD Civil Servant, John continued to instruct on JWIC until May 2015.John was honoured with the MBE in 2003 and the Royal Artillery Medal in 2011.  An author of several articles about the Vietnam War and Borneo, he also gives talks on these subjects to the military, history groups and schools. Since retiring from the Civil Service in 2015, John began writing ‘The Borneo Graveyard 1941-1945’, the product of 12 years of research. This is his first book.THE BOOKBorneo, the land of the head hunters, was a World War II graveyard for POWs, internees, locals, Javanese and Japanese. John's book follows the raising of five Royal Artillery air defence regiments in 1939, their deployment in late 1942 to South East Asia, their short campaign in the Netherlands East Indies and eventual captivity as POWs in Java and North Borneo.The account describes the invasion of Borneo and the subsequent four years of Japanese occupation.  It depicts the sadistic treatment of Australian, British, Dutch and Indian POWs in the various POW camps in North Borneo at Jesselton, Sandakan, Ranau, Labuan and Batu Lintang.  It also describes the three Death Marches from Sandakan to Ranau.The internee account covers the men, women and children from all over Borneo interned in Batu Lintang.  They experienced the unspeakable behaviour of the guards.  Several internees were killed trying to escape the Japanese regime or gratuitously executed before liberation.The locals of Borneo suffered terribly.  Torture, executions and massacres occurred throughout. Malnutrition, starvation and death were endemic.  Tribes exacted their revenge and over 8,000 Japanese died during their withdrawals in Sabah.The secretive Z Force gathered intelligence, trained local guerrilla fighters who harassed and exacted a heavy toll on the Japanese. They also engaged in bitter fighting for the liberation of Borneo.Finally the book finishes with POW convalescence at Labuan followed by repatriation to the UK and the dreadful wall of silence experienced by so many of the returning Far East POWs and internees to the UK.You can order a copy of John's book by contacting him by email:   johntulloch4145@gmail.com SOCIAL MEDIAFollow us on social media and don't forget to like, share and leave a review.Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download on other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.