Life on the Line

Alex Lloyd interviews SASR and 2nd Commando Regiment veteran Peter Rudland. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Peter Rudland is a veteran of the Special Air Service Regiment and the Commandos, 4RAR(Commando) and when they became the 2nd Commando Regiment. Over a long career in Special Forces, Peter deployed to Cambodia, Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was seriously injured in the June 2010 Black Hawk helicopter crash in Afghanistan. In his post-service life, Peter is heavily involved in the veteran community, as a passionate advocate for physical health to create mental health, he started a company counselling soldiers, he has competed in three Invictus Games and is an ambassador for RSL Australia. Alex Lloyd spoke with Peter over Zoom in February 2024. This episode was edited by Sophie Hu. Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include: #1 Sandy MacGregor#47 Bram Connolly#100 Gary WilsonThe Partners - Renee WilsonLife After Service - Gary & Renee Wilson To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Tony Park interviews World War II veteran Peter Whitehead. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Peter Whitehead, born in 1923, is a veteran of World War II. He tried to join the Royal Australian Navy when war broke out but was rejected, instead becoming a ‘rough rider’ with the 2nd Remount Unit based at Holsworthy, in Sydney. After breaking in thousands of horses to support domestic war operations, he managed to join the Royal Australian Air Force, qualifying as a gunner. Peter was sent to one of the first B24 Liberator squadrons, in New Guinea and then flying bombing missions in the Pacific War from Darwin to Morotai. Today, Peter lives in New Zealand, and turned 100 years old on Christmas Day 2023. He co-wrote his memoir, Bwana, There’s a Body in the Bath! with international bestselling Australian author Tony Park. Tony – an army veteran and previous guest on this podcast – interviewed Peter over an international Zoom call for Life on the Line. This episode was edited by Sophie Hu. Referenced at the end of the podcast include: #4 Guy Griffiths#7 Tom Hughes#11 Andrew Robertson Vol IVol II#14 Hugh Kelly#20 Doug Gilling#27 Victor Power#34 Antony Greatrex#40 Rothesay Swan#42 Jack Bell#55 Avis Quarrell#59 Arthur Atkins#71 Bob Semple#81 Tony ParkChristmas on the Line Vol IIILife After Service - Tony Park#127 Reg Chard video podcastFor School and CountryBarney Greatrex Additionally, you can hear Norton Duckmanton, Bevan Harris, Doug Symes Snr from the Life on the Sea miniseries, Holocaust survivor Phillip Maisel, and Alex Lloyd's interviews with two German World War II veterans: Eugen Pichurra and Horst Haase. To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Veterans of Season 7 share their stories of a Christmas in uniform. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Veterans of Season 7 share with the Thistle Productions team their experiences of Christmas in uniform, from deployments overseas and back home in Australia. Featured guests include John White, Rod Henderson, Mark Direen, Rebecca and Ashley Semmens, Ray James and Doug Sheridan. This episode was edited by Sophie Hu and Alex Lloyd. The episodes these veterans were featured in earlier this season include: #137 John White#138 Rod Henderson#142 Mark Direen#143 Rebecca and Ashley Semmens#147 Ray James#150 Doug Sheridan To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Alex Lloyd interviews SASR veteran Doug Sheridan in the Season 7 finale. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Doug Sheridan is a veteran of the Special Air Service Regiment. He served for 33 years in the Australian Army, full-time and reserve. This included various deployments with the United Nations, the SASR and the Australian Federal Police to the Western Sahara, East Timor, the Solomon Islands and Afghanistan. He also served for 10 years in the AFP as a Federal Agent and was one of the original Air Security Officers following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Today he volunteers for Wandering Warriors, plays cricket and is studying an MBA at the University of Queensland and Harvard Business School. Doug spoke with Alex Lloyd at the Gaythorne RSL, Brisbane, in March 2023. This episode was edited by Sophie Hu. For another podcast about Matthew Locke, listen to #28 Mark Wales. To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews Namibia, Iraq and Timor veteran Doug Langrehr. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Doug Langrehr began his career, now spanning close to four decades, as an engineer in the Australian Army. He served on operations in Namibia, Iraq and Timor. His military career culminated in moving to New York to work with the United Nations. Today he is the chief of the mission support and planning section for the United Nations office to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. While visiting Australia, Doug spoke to Sharon Mascall-Dare about his varied career. To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Thomas Kaye interviews 2nd Commando Regiment veteran and dog handler Steve Moharic. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Steve Moharic is an Australian Army veteran. He was a paratrooper, a shooter in the 2nd Commando Regiment, and then a dog handler within the Commandos. He and his four-legged best mate Guge saw a lot together. Steve spoke with Thomas Kaye over Zoom about his difficult pre-military past, his career in uniform, his life today still with Guge and gives great insight into how our war dogs work hand in paw with those in uniform. Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include: The Commando's Father with Doug Baird#36 Mark Donaldson VC#51 Mark Noble#92 Dean Parkinson Vol I#92 Dean Parkinson Vol II To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Angus Hordern interviews Vietnam veteran and RSL NSW President Ray James. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Ray James is a veteran of the Vietnam War and is currently the President of NSW RSL. He served in the Royal Australian Navy on HMAS Sydney, the Vung Tau ferry. He was also on HMAS Melbourne when it collided with the USS Frank E. Evans in 1969. Ray spoke with Angus Hordern about his life of service – in the military, in the police force and now in the veteran community. Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include: LIFE ON THE SEA Episode IV 'Collision'For School and Country To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Alex Lloyd speaks with founder of the veterans charity Working Spirit, Army and RAAF veteran Karyn Hinder. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and tells their story. This is a bonus episode focused on the veterans-run charity Working Spirit, in a conversation with its founder. Karyn Hinder is an army and air force veteran with over 25 years of service. She has deployed to Timor and the Middle East. Her passion today is assisting military veterans to find employment in their life after service. She launched Working Spirit in 2016, a registered not-for-profit charity. Karyn spoke with Alex Lloyd over Zoom. Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include: #101 Bob HunterLife After Service#128 Ryan Wilson To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Thomas Kaye interviews Afghanistan veteran Joel Sardi. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Joel Sardi is a veteran of the Australian Army. He served for 5 years and deployed to Afghanistan as a rifleman at 7 RAR. Shortly after coming home, Joel had an accident, leaving him as a C-5 quadriplegic. Joel spoke to Thomas Kaye over Zoom about his time in the army, and adjusting to a new life after the accident. This episode was edited by Sophie Hu During the interview, Joel Sardi mentioned Damien Thomlinson. Angus Hordern interviewed Damien in a video podcast in Season 5. To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews Timor and Bougainville veteran, Lily Mulholland. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Lily Mulholland served in the Australian Defence Force for 24 years as a public affairs officer. She has deployed to Timor, Bougainville and the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games on Operation Gold. During her time in the army, she also undertook an ADF expedition to Mount Everest. Lily shared her story with Sharon Mascall-Dare. To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Angus Hordern interviews Afghanistan veteran and Federal MP Phillip Thompson. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Phillip Thompson is the Federal Member for Herbert and an Australian Army veteran. He deployed to Timor and Afghanistan, and was blown up by an improvised explosive device. He represented Australia at the Invictus Games in 2014 and now represents Townsville in Canberra. This is his conversation with Angus Hordern. This episode was edited by Sophie Hu. Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include: #102 Heston Russell#109 Keith Wolahan To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Alex Lloyd interviews navy veterans Rebecca and Ashley Semmens. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Rebecca Semmens served in the Royal Australian Navy for 18 years, and was medically discharged in 2020 at the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Bec was a medic, and deployed to Timor and Afghanistan. Her husband, Ashley Semmens, was a Clearance Diver, also serving in the navy for 18 years. Ash had multiple deployments, including to Afghanistan. He was a Clearance Diver, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert and was in Kabul during the evacuation as the Taliban retook the country in 2021. He medically discharged in 2022 as a Chief Petty Officer. Bec and Ash spoke jointly with Alex Lloyd at the Gaythorne RSL in Brisbane. Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include: #17 Dave Stafford Finney#25 Paul de Gelder#64 Jodi Farmer To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Thomas Kaye interviews Special Air Service Regiment veteran Mark Direen. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Mark Direen deployed multiple times to Afghanistan as a member of the SASR. He experienced long range reconnaissance missions, more kinetic operations and was injured by an improvised explosive device. He also worked at the Australian Embassy in Kabul. Today he runs his company Point Assist, its goal to assist people to evolve through experience. This is his conversation with Thomas Kaye. This episode was edited by Sophie Hu. To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews army veteran Rob Manton. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Rob Manton served in the Australian Army for 30 years. His time in uniform saw multiple command appointments, an operational deployment to Iraq, and advisory and peacekeeping roles with the United Nations. Today, he’s the Chair of the Veterans Advisory Council in South Australia. He spoke to Sharon Mascall-Dare in Adelaide. Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include: #82 John Cantwell Vol I#82 John Cantwell Vol II To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Angus Hordern interviews Afghanistan veteran and artist Mike Armstrong. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Michael Armstrong joined the Australian Defence Force in 1998 as an aircraft technician. He went on to serve as a signals officer, deploying with 2 RAR to Timor and with the 2nd Commando Regiment to Afghanistan. He was on the last plane out of Afghanistan in Rotation XX. Throughout his time in the army Mike also taught as a hand-to-hand combat instructor, drawing on his martial arts background. He moved to work in Cyber before medically discharging. Today he keeps connected with the veteran community through his ‘Voices of Veterans’ artwork. The episode referenced at the end of the podcast is #97 Paul Cale. https://voicesofveterans.com.au To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Alex Lloyd interviews former sniper team leader Ryan Shaw. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Ryan Shaw joined the Australian Defence Force in 2006. During his 14-year career in the military he was a sniper team leader, deployed to Timor and Afghanistan, and worked in border protection. Today he’s the Director of Gaythorne RSL, in Brisbane, where he spoke with Alex Lloyd. To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Angus Hordern interviews Army Aviation veteran Rod Henderson. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Rod Henderson is an Australian Army veteran. He has served as an infantryman and in Army Aviation, working with Black Hawks and Chinooks, including as a door gunner. Rod has deployed on warlike and humanitarian operations to Timor, Pakistan, New Guinea and Afghanistan. He’s now a volunteer guide at the Australian War Memorial. This episode was edited by Sophie Hu. Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include: #2 Sharon BownAustralia's Special Forces with Dr Karl JamesThe Eastern Front with David SuttonBeyond the Legend with Dr Karl JamesRemembering John Hordern with Angus Hordern#68 Harry Moffitt Vol II To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Alex Lloyd interviews Vietnam War veteran John White. Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. John White was an officer in the Australian Army during the Vietnam War. He was decorated for outstanding gallantry in the 1968 Battle of Ngok Tavak in South Vietnam. In the first episode of Season 7, Alex Lloyd spoke with John at Gaythorne RSL in Brisbane. This episode was edited by Sophie Hu. Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include: #15 Adrian Clunies-Ross#135 Donald McDowell To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

Welcome to Season 7 of LIFE ON THE LINE, Australia's first and leading veterans podcast, from Thistle Productions. In our 7th year, after 6 seasons, 2 miniseries, 261 podcasts, 17 video episodes, 188 veterans and over 1.7 million downloads, Life on the Line is back. We now present Season 7. Our ongoing mission is to track down Australian military veterans and record their stories, from World War II to the 21st century. The vision of Life on the Line continues to be to capture the raw human stories behind the broader brushstrokes of history, and to explore service: why people serve, and how a life of service changes them. From acts of valour to the trauma of conflict, and how veterans can grow and change from that trauma. This podcast seeks to discover the human side of war, the truth of battle scars and what it’s really like to put one’s life on the line. This season, we will bring you conversations with servicemen and servicewoman of all ranks from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Special Forces, who have been on peacekeeping deployments, and seen action in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. On Tuesday May 23rd, check out your preferred podcast app, YouTube or our website for our first episode, with a veteran of the Vietnam War who was decorated for outstanding gallantry on the battlefield. We'll release a new episode every fortnight. Our website is www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com. Find us on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook @lifeonthelinepodcast, on Twitter @LOTLpod and on LinkedIn @ThistleProductions. Life on the Line is brought to you by Thistle Productions. Artwork by Big Cat Design. Music by Dan Van Werkhoven. Thank you for listening and Lest We Forget.

Alex Lloyd introduces the WWII video documentary FOR SCHOOL AND COUNTRY, now on YouTube. FOR SCHOOL AND COUNTRY is a five-part video documentary miniseries, created by us, Thistle Productions. The series chronicles the lives and service of twelve WWII veterans who went to school together and took up arms when war broke out. This production was originally released on DVD in 2015 - the first ‘Thistle Productions’ project - and it is finally available for free via streaming. These dozen veterans served across the whole theatre of war. At sea they fought the Bismarck and the Admiral Graf Spee, and sailed in the Mediterranean Fleet and the Pacific Fleet, including at the largest naval engagement of the war. On land they fought at Tobruk, El Alamein and Tarakan; and they trekked through the jungles of New Guinea and landed on the beaches of Balikpapan. And in the sky they flew over Europe for Bomber Command, over the Middle East for the Desert Air Force, and with the Forgotten Army in Burma. Many had narrow escapes, including one sole survivor when his bomber crashed in enemy territory. Watch the episodes via www.youtube.com/lifeonthelinepodcast now: Episode I - Books to ArmsEpisode II - Scuttled & SunkEpisode III - A Great EscapeEpisode IV - Terror in the JungleEpisode V - You Do Your Part Find out more about the documentary at www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com/documentary.