We Sons of World War Two Vets
We Sons of World War Two Vets
Podcast Description
A new podcast (April '25) about men who fought in World War Two, whose stories will be told by their sons.In each episode, Matthew Collins speaks to a son who tells the story of his father's war and explores its effects - on his father and on himself.Matthew's father, Patrick, joined the RAF in May 1939 when he was 17. He returned from the war at the age of 24, more mature in many ways than Matthew was at 40. But his father rarely talked about the war. And when he did, he usually told light-hearted war stories - rather than discuss seriously what he'd seen and done. Matthew has long known that he was partly shaped by his father's war. His dad's war experience seeped into his consciousness - often to Matthew's annoyance. So, after his father died, he started to compare notes with other veterans' sons. He then started recording interviews with men who told the stories of their fathers' war and reflected on its effects - on their fathers and on themselves.So far, he's recorded 20 interviews with men all over the UK. To coincide with the 80th anniversary of VE Day, six have just been launched as podcasts - along with a 17 minute taster episode. More episodes will be released in May. Pics of the fathers and sons featured are at: www.matthewcollins.com POSTSCRIPT:There are many more World War Two Vets' sons out there - with personal-historical reflections to share. Matthew wants to document as many as possible.He's already travelled around the UK recording interviews. And will continue to do so, funding this project out of his own pocket. But ideally, he could do with assistance. If you would like to support this podcast, please see "Support the Show" under each episode’s info. Or go to: https://www.patreon.com/wesonsofww2vetsThank you.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
Focuses on the personal experiences and stories of World War Two veterans as recounted by their sons, exploring themes such as the psychological impact of war, family dynamics, and the long-lasting effects of combat. Notable episode examples include accounts of parachuting into Arnhem and surviving Dunkirk, as well as discussions on wartime romance and the cultural discrepancies between generations.
A new podcast (2025) about men who fought in World War Two, whose stories are told by their sons.
In each episode, Matthew Collins interviews a son who tells the story of his father’s war and explores its effects – on his father and on himself.
Matthew’s father, Patrick, joined the RAF in May 1939 when he was 17. He returned from the war at the age of 24, more mature in many ways than Matthew was at 40.
But his father rarely talked about the war. And when he did, he usually told light-hearted stories about it – rather than discuss fully what he’d seen and done.
He was, however, serious when discussing other family members – a brother who was shot at Dunkirk; a cousin whose ship was torpedoed; and his own father who’d survived battles in the First World War (as well as uncles who had not).
War experiences seeped into Matthew’s consciousness. From a young age, he appreciated that he was part of a lucky generation that was unlikely to be called upon to fight.
But what if he had been called up? And if war had broken out, how might he have responded?
After his father died, he started to compare notes with other veterans’ sons.
He then interviewed men who told the stories of their fathers’ war. And reflected on its effects. On their fathers and on themselves.
But the interviews also became explorations of the contrast between two very different generations – wartime dads and their baby boomer sons. And touching explorations of father/son relationships.
To coincide with the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, nine episodes have, so far, been published. (The most recent – Episode 9, Richard and Jack, about ace night-fighter pilot Jack Foster – came out in August.) More will follow soon.
Matthew Collins started his career presenting on TV. (He’s best remembered as ‘Special Assignments Man’ for BBC2’s The Travel Show.)
He then raised two sons alone and became a prison teacher.
For ten years, he ran ‘Speaking Shakespeare’ workshops in men’s and women’s prisons.
Today he runs public ‘Speaking Shakespeare’ workshops for businesses; social organisations; and members of the public. To find out more about Matthew, please go to:
https://www.matthewcollins.com/about
MEANWHILE, HERE’S A BRIEF POSTSCRIPT:
There are many more World War Two Vets’ sons out there – with personal-historical reflections to share.
Matthew wants to document as many as possible.
He’s already travelled around the UK recording interviews. And will continue to do so, funding this project out of his own pocket.
But ideally, he could do with assistance.
If you would like to support this podcast, please see “Support the Show” under each episode’s info.
Or go to:
https://www.patreon.com/wesonsofww2vets
Thank you.
Comedian Arthur Smith talks about his dad Syd who was a prisoner-of-war in Colditz.
Syd was captured at the Battle of Alamein. He was taken to Sicily, paraded in Palermo as a trophy of war, and then sent to do forced labour in a copper mine.
But he finally ended up in Colditz, the Saxony castle that became a prisoner-of-war camp for Allied officers who'd escaped from other camps – or who were deemed a security risk.
But Syd wasn't a committed escapee. So, Arthur explains why his dad was sent to Colditz.
Syd hand-wrote his memoirs when he was 70. Arthur says they're his most-prized possession. And reads the odd extract from them during the interview.
This podcast is a tribute to a much-loved father but it does contain the odd profanity and occasional reference to “getting his leg over”.
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