Frankie’s Pod: Uncorking the unforgettable

In this episode, I sit down with former Member of the European Parliament and military veteran, Godfrey Bloom, for a look into his fascinating career and views on the current state of the world. We explore his time serving in the British Army, the lessons he learned during his military career, and how those experiences shaped his views on politics, economics, and global affairs. Godfrey offers can...

In this Episode, I'm talking with Gareth Wilson who I served with in 3 RHA and 34 Battery. Gareth tells us what it was like growing up in the North East and deciding to join the Army. Gareth Served with 3 RHA and other regiments. He tells us what it was like to serve and some of the struggles he has had whilst serving and Since leaving the Army and setting up his own locksmith business. https://ww...

Part 3 of Roys Story I recorded this episode months ago but we had some serious issues with the sudo and I wasn't going to release it. However, I feel it's such an important story that it deserves to be put out there. This is the first part of a three-part special. Roy Selstrom Served with Pioneer Corp during the late 80s and later with the RLC. He served in Northern Ireland and Germany. A...

Part to of Roys Story I recorded this episode months ago but we had some serious issues with the audio and I wasn't going to release it. However, I feel it's such an important story that it deserves to be put out there. This is the second part of a three-part special. Roy Selstrom Served with Pioneer Corp during the late 80s and later with the RLC. He served in Northern Ireland and Germany...

I recorded this episode months ago but we had some serious issues with the audio and I wasn't going to release it. However, I feel it's such an important story that it deserves to be put out there. This is the first part of a three-part special. Roy Selstrom Served with Pioneer Corp during the late 80s and later with the RLC. He served in Northern Ireland and Germany. As a Lance Corporal i...

Welcome back, in this episode, I am chatting with Col Richard Collinge. Richard served with the Royal Artillery completing tours around the world and commanding d Battery RHA on a tour of Iraq. Richard tells us what it was like growing up, joining the Army, and Serving with different command appointments. He tells us how proud he was to command Pirbright and the recruits there and what it was like...

Hi, welcome back. In the episode, we chat with Louise Walters, who started her Army career with the Dental Corps, later moved over to the REME, and was later commissioned into the AGC. She tells us what it was like becoming the first female Dental Corps soldier to become a training instructor. She also explains why she chose to leave the Army and move to Dubai. if you like this podcast and the pre...

In this episode, I’m talking to Mark Baker. Marks has had a varied life and, this podcast was a bit of a surprise to me when we recorded it. Mark served with the Royal Artillery and 34 Battery. Mark tells us what it was like in training and when he served with 34 Bty. He also tells us what happened to him after being discharged from the Army for failing a compulsory drug test, ending up on the wro...

Welcome back to the podcast. In this episode, I’m talking with Stephen Sherlock. Stephen tells us what it was like growing up and, an abusive family with a very dysfunctional father. Trigger alert Stephen describes in detail some of the physical abuse he suffered when he was a child. Stephen tells what it was like to be homeless at a young age and his decision to join the Army where he found a new...

In this episode, I'm talking with Mark Harding who served with the KORBR. Joining in 1996 and completed tours of N Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Mark tells us about his time in the Army serving with COP and his tours one of which was cut short by being shot through the neck and paralysing Mark from the neck down. Mark had proven many people wrong and fought back to fitness having competed in...

In today's episode, I chat with Matt Murphy, who served with 3 RHA for most of his career. He talks about his time serving with the Regiment as a young officer, the operational tours he completed including UN tours in Mali, commanding the regiment later in his career, and why he chose to leave the Army. If you like this episode please buy me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/FrankiesPod

In today's episode, I am talking with Barry Swales. Barry served with 39 Regt RA joining in 2000 and only leaving recently in 2024. Barry tells what it was like joining and serving with 39 Regt RA and 26 Regt RA and completing tours of Northern Ireland, Cyprus, and Afghanistan.

In this episode I am talking to Louise Banton, Louise served with the Royal Artillery reaching the Rank of SSgt. She tells us what it was like Serving with 47 Regt RA and 32 Regt RA working on Air Defence and Target locating equipment. Upon Leaving the Army she tells us about her Decision her decision to apply for a Lateral Transfer to the Australian Defence Forces and with the Royal Australian Ar...

Today I’m chatting with Brian Morgan. Brian joined the royal artillery in 1975, serving with 7 RHA and 3 RHA along with a few other places. He tells us what it was like in training and then serving with 7 RHA. He talks about the shock of training and having to grow up quickly. Then 7 RHA were rerolled back to the PARA role. He talks about how rough regimental life could be for a young soldier new...

In this episode, I chatted with Sean Connolly who served with 40 Fld Reg RA. Sean served in Germany during the Cold War and did tours of Belize. It was this service that inspired him to right a book called British Army On the Rampage. He discusses what inspired him to write the book and what else he got up to in later life after leaving the military. Seans books:https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Sea...

Hello and welcome to this episode. Today I’m talking with Leon Richarson. Leon joined the Royal Artillery in 1997 serving with 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery. Today he tells us what it was like growing up and then serving with 3rd and then his time at 29 after completing the All Arms Commando course. Leon then tells us what he got up to after he left the military ending up running a successful...

In today's episode, I'm talking to Tim Davies. Tim is an Ex RAF Fast Jet Pilot and was the Chief Instructor at RAF Valley. Tim tells us what it was like joining the military and discusses his time in the Navy and RAF and what it was like leaving. Tim Now runs an online Flight School called Fat Jet Performance teaching people to fly in Simulators.

Today I’m talking with Mark Cutter who served with 3 RHA. Mark joined the Army in 1990 and after basic training served with J (Sidi Rezegh) Battery Until 1997. This is a two-part episode and in this part, Mark tells us what it was after he left the army and whats been going on in his life. From working as a contractor in Iraq and other places, to working as a Kyak instructor.  If you like this pod...

Today I’m talking with Mark Cutter who served with 3 RHA. Mark joined the Army in 1990 and after basic training served with J (Sidi Rezegh) Battery Until 1997. This is a two-part episode and in this part, Mark tells us what it was like growing up and attending boarding school, his time in the Amry, and why he chose to leave.  If you like this podcast and the previous ones, please consider buying m...

In today’s episode, I’m talking with Andy, for reasons that will become apparent we won't be using Andy's surname to preserve his anonymity.  Andy joined the Royal Artillery in 1982 and served initially with 5th Regt RA in Germany before moving back to the UK serving in Topcliffe. It was here he decided to leave the Army and join the Police.  While serving with the police he decided to joi...

Welcome to this next episode.  I’m talking with Mike Web.  Mike joined the Army in 1990 initially joining the Int corps as a linguist but fate had a different plan for him.  Ending up in C Battery 3 RHA.  Mike tells us about his time with the regiment and tours of Northern Ireland.  Later we talk about what Mike did after he left the Army and how some of the lessons he learned in the Military help...

Today I’m talking with Alan Brown, Alan joined the Army in 1994 and reached the Rank of WO2 before leaving.  Alan had a let’s say turbulent career but one thing that stayed constant through was his involvement with Boxing. Alan Boxed from the age of 12 and is now a GB team coach along with running a Gym in Chester-le-street.  If you like these podcasts please consider buying me a Coffee at ⁠https:...

In this episode I’m talking to Lee Dunkley, Lee previously served with the Royal Artillery in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. Upon leaving the Army, Lee joined the MPGS but was medically discharged due to an injury acquired whilst serving.  Things took a turn for the worse due to mental health problems, which he discusses in this episode, Lee has fought back even  Climbing Kilimanjaro for...

In this episode, I’m talking with Simon Mourton who served with 3 RHA in the late 90s.  completing tours of Northern Ireland and Kosovo along with extended deployments to Canada.  It was on one of these postings that he met his future wife.  once he left the military Simon emigrated to Canada and has now become a Canadian citizen.  Simon talks about growing up in the Military along with Basic Trai...

Today I'm talking to Andrew Smith who served with the Green Howards in the 1990s.  Andrew talks about his basic training tours of Northern Ireland and a tour of Bosnia.  The main part of this podcast is Andrew telling us about his recent visit to Bosnia. Why he returned and how it affected him. If you like this podcast and the previous ones, please consider buying me a coffee at  https://www.b...