Tea & Medals

BFBS
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Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery. Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who’ve received the UK’s highest military honours. Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.

  1. More Tea: Near Death

    02/19/2024 · BONUS

    More Tea: Near Death

    Darren and Jess have news about our latest BFBS podcast series “Near Death” and how it’s related to “Tea & Medals”. If you enjoyed the Michelle Goodman DFC episode you’ll want to hear this! Listen to the full series of Near Death here:  https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z8fTmj6gJ7BRe93qHMGlA https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/near-death/id1712834196 Or watch here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeQQkbf45pQOEkIBc-2LfEcRVL6QsISos You’ve been asking us for more episodes…Jess puts Darren on the spot! Have you got medals stories or Near Death stories? Email us: podcasts@bfbs.com Or tell us what you think of this episode by using the Spotify link. With thanks to Stephen Vause, Michelle Goodman DFC, Chris Parker and George Williams. Please hit the follow button, it really helps more people find our podcasts and means we can keep making them.

    8 min
  2. Trailer: Introducing Near Death

    TRAILER

    Trailer: Introducing Near Death

    A new podcast from the makers of Tea & Medals. Darren introduces Near Death... How do you come back from the brink? A close encounter with a body bag, an out of body experience or a fight through a wall of fire. Some people know what it’s like to come back from death’s door. Near Death is a brand-new podcast from BFBS Creative that explores some of the darkest stories of human survival. Follow now and never miss an episode: bfbs.com/neardeath

    2 min
  3. More Tea: Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

    09/29/2022

    More Tea: Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

    In a More Tea special Darren Coventry and Jess Bracey speak to medal expert Mark Smith about the medals on show at the funeral of Her Majesty the Queen on Monday 19th September.  We also talk about whether the Queen's pallbearers are likely to receive a medal and look ahead to the Coronation of King Charles III.

    15 min
  4. More Tea: Eric Smith, George Medal

    07/07/2022 · BONUS

    More Tea: Eric Smith, George Medal

    In 1962 Sergeant Eric Smith, a search and rescue winchman in the RAF, was called out alongside his crew to the French fishing trawler The Jeanne Gougy which had run aground on the Cornish coast. They spent hours above the sea in a Westland Whirlwind Mark 10 helicopter battling the conditions as Eric was winched down to the vessel to help those in trouble. His heroic actions that day led him to being awarded the George Medal. 60 years on his son Ronnie tells Darren Coventry and Jess Bracey the story of that rescue and why it’s still remembered in RAF history.

    19 min
  5. Steve Heaney MC: Jungle Siege in Sierra Leone

    06/23/2022

    Steve Heaney MC: Jungle Siege in Sierra Leone

    17th May 2000, Lungi Lol, Sierra Leone Sergeant Steve Heaney was deployed to Sierra Leone as part of a task force sent to evacuate foreign citizens caught up in the country’s civil war. The Revolutionary United Front, a murderous rebel group known for their brutality, were advancing towards the capital Freetown and Steve, along with the rest of his Pathfinder platoon were tasked to stop them. The 26 soldiers were sent to the jungle village of Lungi Lol for a 48-hour mission which developed into a 16-day siege. It was the first time the British army had fought in the jungle for 40 years. With no reinforcements to support them, the Pathfinders were forced to fight alone. Steve tells Darren how he and the pathfinders defended the village, while his Task Force Commander, General Lord Richards explains why Steve became the first Non-Commissioned Officer in the Pathfinders to receive the Military Cross.  Contributors: Steve Heaney MC General The Lord Richards of Herstmonceux GCB CBE DSO DL Presented by Darren Coventry Written and produced by Darren Coventry and Josella Waldron Edited by Andy Prada Sound Design by Terry Wilson Original Music by Will Farmer Executive Producer Alex Griffiths Watch our videos: youtube.com/c/BFBSCreative Get in touch: podcasts@bfbs.com

    46 min
  6. More Tea: Keith Mills DSC

    05/27/2022

    More Tea: Keith Mills DSC

    As we mark the 40th anniversary of the 1982 Falklands Conflict, we revisit our Tea & Medals episode with Keith Mills DSC. At just 22 years old Keith Mills, then a Lieutenant in the Royal Marines, was sent to the island of South Georgia to sort out an issue with some Argentinian scrap metal workers. The diplomatic incident turned into an assault where Keith lead his detachment of 22 commandos into battle. This was the starting point of the Falklands Conflict which saw a taskforce of 30,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen deploy to the South Atlantic. In this episode with Jess Bracey and Darren Coventry, we find out about the unexpected heroes welcome Keith received after he left South Georgia.

    13 min
  7. Richard Westley OBE MC: The Battle to Save Gorazde

    05/12/2022

    Richard Westley OBE MC: The Battle to Save Gorazde

    28th May 1995 Gorazde, Bosnia Major Richard Westley and his company of Royal Welch Fusiliers were working as United Nations protection force troops, attempting to keep the peace in the hostilities that followed the break-up of the former Yugoslavia. Richard’s company of Fusiliers were protecting civilians in Gorazde, one of several Bosnian Muslim enclaves when advancing Bosnian Serb forces decided to attack the town. Richard tells Darren how B Company managed to stop the Serbs from taking the town and prevent the kind of massacre that was later seen in Srebrenica. The Fusiliers received numerous gallantry awards for their actions, including Richard himself who was awarded the Military Cross. Contributors: Colonel Richard Westley, OBE MC Lieutenant-General Jonathon Riley CB DSO Colonel Tim Collins OBE Presented by Darren Coventry Written and produced by Darren Coventry and Josella Waldron Edited by Andy Prada Sound Design by Terry Wilson Original Music by Will Farmer Executive Producer Alex Griffiths More from BFBS Creative: youtube.com/c/BFBSCreative

    49 min
  8. More Tea: Malta and the George Cross

    04/28/2022

    More Tea: Malta and the George Cross

    In 1942 the island of Malta was awarded the George Cross by King George 6th to recognise the population’s bravery and defiance during the Second World War. They refused to surrender despite continuous bombardment by German and Italian forces throughout The Siege of Malta. As well as The George Cross, a number of civilians were also awarded the George Medal. Until recently, WO2 John Thompson was Britain’s most decorated Royal Marine Commando. He was mentioned in despatches in recognition of his gallant and distinguished service in Iraq and later received the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross following a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan. In this episode with Jess Bracey and Darren Coventry, we find out about the recipients with Mario Farrugia, Chairman of the Malta Heritage Trust.

    7 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery. Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who’ve received the UK’s highest military honours. Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.

Information

  • Channel
    BFBS
  • Creator
    BFBS Radio
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2024
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © BFBS 2024
  • Show Website
    Tea & Medals

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