#138 Rod Henderson

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 Bown

• Australia's Special Forces with Dr Karl James

• The Eastern Front with David Sutton

• Beyond the Legend with Dr Karl James

• Remembering John Hordern with Angus Hordern

• #68 Harry Moffitt Vol II

#137 John White

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 editd by Sophie Hu.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• #15 Adrian Clunies-Ross

• #135 Donald McDowell

Season 7 Trailer

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.

The veterans of LIFE ON THE LINE Seasons 1-6, LIFE ON THE SEA and LIFE AFTER SERVICE.

FSAC: Episode V You Do Your Part

FOR SCHOOL AND COUNTRY is a five-part documentary miniseries about 12 World War II veterans who went to school together, and then to war. In the fifth episode, 'You Do Your Part', John Hore-Lacy fights in Borneo at Tarakan and Balikpapan; Lysle Roberts has a brush with death; Arthur Pardey sees the destruction of Munich; Phil Stevenson surveys Nagasaki after the atomic bomb; and Richard Miles reflects on the sacrifice of his peers. The 12 men, once schoolboy friends and now war veterans, return home. They adjust to life after service and reflect on the war.

FSAC: Episode IV Terror in the Jungle

FOR SCHOOL AND COUNTRY is a five-part documentary miniseries about 12 World War II veterans who went to school together, and then to war. In the fourth episode, 'Terror in the Jungle', Eric Thew battles the Japanese and disease in the New Guinea jungle; David Nesbitt flies in the Burma campaign; John Hordern is part of the largest naval battle of the war; and Lysle Roberts begins perilous flight training.

FSAC: Episode III A Great Escape

FOR SCHOOL AND COUNTRY is a five-part documentary miniseries about 12 World War II veterans who went to school together, and then to war. In the third episode, 'A Great Escape', Barney Greatrex survives his Lancaster bomber being shot down and joins the French Resistance; Arthur Pardey flies in the Desert Air Force and gets up to mischief in Cairo; and Don Caldwell Smith endures a full tour of missions with Bomber Command.

Many more adventures, narrow escapes, Resistance heroics and Nazi cruelty were thoroughly documented in the book BARNEY GREATREX by Michael Veitch (2017), based on research by Alex Lloyd and Angus Hordern.

FSAC: Episode II Scuttled & Sunk

FOR SCHOOL AND COUNTRY is a five-part documentary miniseries about 12 World War II veterans who went to school together, and then to war. In the second episode, 'Scuttled & Sunk', John Reid sees more action in the Mediterranean Fleet; Ted Carter fights at El Alamein, Lae and Finschhafen; and Japan enters the war and attacks Australia.

FSAC: Episode I Books to Arms

FOR SCHOOL AND COUNTRY is a five-part documentary miniseries about 12 World War II veterans who went to school together, and then to war. The first episode, 'Books to Arms', tracks their schoolboy days and the World War I veterans who taught them in the classroom, and their early experiences at war. Phil Stevenson stalks the Admiral Graf Spee and the Bismarck; Ted Carter fights in the siege of Tobruk; John Reid serves in the Mediterranean Fleet in the evacuation of Crete and the Tobruk Ferry Service; John Hore-Lacy meets Rudolf Hess; and more...

For School and Country

Alex Lloyd introduces the World War II 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 Arms

• Episode II - Scuttled & Sunk

• Episode III - A Great Escape

• Episode IV - Terror in the Jungle

• Episode V - You Do Your Part

Find out more about the documentary here.

Christmas on the Line Vol V

Veterans of Season 6 share their stories of a Christmas in uniform.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Veterans of Season 6 share with the Thistle Productions team their experiences of Christmas in uniform, from deployments overseas and back home in Australia. Featured guests include Nick Howlett, Reg Chard, Paul Gebran, Dr Dan Pronk, Sabrina Smeaton, Michael Greenway and Curtis McGrath.

The episodes these veterans were featured in earlier this season include:

• #123 Nick Howlett Vol I

• #123 Nick Howlett Vol II

• #127 Reg Chard

• #129 Paul Gebran

• #31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol III

• #131 Sabrina Smeaton

• #132 Michael Greenway

• #136 Curtis McGrath

Our previous Christmas specials from Seasons 2-5 can be found here:

• Christmas on the Line

• Christmas on the Line Vol II

• Christmas on the Line Vol III

• Christmas on the Line Vol IV

#136 Curtis McGrath

Alex Lloyd interviews former combat engineer, Paralympian and IED survivor, Curtis McGrath.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Curtis McGrath OAM is a soldier turned sporting superstar. He was a combat engineer in the Australian Army, and lost his legs when he stepped on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2012. From there, he set himself a seemingly impossible goal – to compete in the Paralympics. Today, Curtis is a world champion paracanoeist, having won over a dozen gold medals at numerous Paracanoe World Championships and at the 2016 and 2020 Paralympics. In the Season 6 finale, Curtis spoke to Alex Lloyd about his military career, the day of the blast in Afghanistan, his remarkable outlook on life, and how he turned a potentially life-ending moment into something remarkably powerful and life changing.

They returned to the podcast in Christmas on the Line Vol V.

#135 Donald McDowell

Angus Hordern interviews AATTV veteran Donald McDowell.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Donald McDowell is a veteran of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam. The AATTV was a specialist unit of Australian Army military advisors, active from 1962 to 1973. It was specifically raised as part of Australia’s contribution to the Vietnam War. It’s one of Australia’s most heavily decorated units, including four Victoria Crosses. Don spoke to Angus Hordern about his military career, his time in Vietnam, and his reflections on the war.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• #15 Adrian Clunies-Ross

• Panel - The Vietnam War

• Keith Payne VC - No One Left Behind

• #133 Peter Watt

#134 Graham Goodwin

Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews Timor and Afghanistan veteran Graham Goodwin.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Brigadier Graham Goodwin CSC is currently the commander of 9th Brigade Australian Army. As a Reservist, Graham has had a significant career in the ADF and South Australia Police, including deployments to Timor and Afghanistan, and serving in recent domestic operations in response to bushfires and COVID-19.

#133 Peter Watt

Alex Lloyd interviews Australian Army veteran Peter Watt.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Peter Watt enlisted during the Vietnam War. He has been a soldier, articled clerk to a solicitor, prawn trawler deckhand, builder's labourer, pipe layer, real estate salesman, private investigator, police sergeant and adviser to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary. Today, he is a volunteer firefighter with the Rural Fire Service and an author. His new novel, CALL OF EMPIRE, is out now in print, audiobook and ebook, and Alex is Peter’s publisher at Pan Macmillan.

You can buy Peter’s latest novel CALL OF EMPIRE today.

#132 Michael Greenway

Angus Hordern interviews Australian Army veteran Michael Greenway.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Michael Greenway served in the Australian Army for 36 years. He was in the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps, and spent most of his career working in supply. He deployed to Namibia, Timor, Iraq, the Solomon Islands and Afghanistan, as part of peacekeeping and military operations. Michael spoke with Angus Hordern about highlights from his career and the vital role of supply in allowing our armed forces to do what they do.

They returned to the podcast in Christmas on the Line Vol V.

#131 Sabrina Smeaton

Alex Lloyd interviews Afghanistan veteran Sabrina Smeaton.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Sabrina Smeaton is a veteran of the Australian Army. She served in the artillery corps, working as a Weapon Locating Radar operator and a Scan Eagle UAV operator. She deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. Sabrina spoke to Alex Lloyd about her passion for military service, why she joined, her experiences in artillery and in Afghanistan, her transition coming home and life after service.

They returned to the podcast in Christmas on the Line Vol V.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast:

• #110 Carly Box

• Panel - Veteran Suicide

#130 Trent Burnard

Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews army veteran Trent Burnard.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Colonel Trent Burnard has worn an army uniform for 32 years. He went from soldier to officer, deployed to Rwanda and East Timor, and worked in Intelligence. Today he focuses on teaching leadership and resilience as a co-founder of Hindsight Leadership.

Episodes referenced at the end of the episode include:

• #33 Tracy Smart

• #66 James O’Hanlon

• #80 Robyn White

• #124 Mick Burgess

#31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol III

Alex Lloyd interviews former special forces combat doctor Dan Pronk about his new memoir, THE COMBAT DOCTOR.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Dr Dan Pronk is a former special forces combat doctor. He deployed 4 times to Afghanistan and went on over 100 combat missions. In his 7th appearance on the show, Dan spoke to Alex Lloyd about his new book, his life story, called THE COMBAT DOCTOR. The book is out now in print, audiobook and ebook, and Alex is Dan's publisher at Pan Macmillan.

They returned to the podcast in Christmas on the Line Vol V.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• #31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol I

• #31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol II

• #36 Mark Donaldson VC

• Voodoo Medics with Mark Donaldson VC, Dr Dan Pronk and Kristin Shorten

• Lessons of a Combat Doctor with Dr Dan Pronk

• #51 Mark Noble

• #107 Brett Wood

• SAS Resilience with Dr Dan Pronk, Ben Pronk and Tim Curtis

Panel - Veteran Suicide

Alex Lloyd hosts a panel on the veteran suicide crisis, with Wes ‘H’ Hennessey and Renee Wilson.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. On 11 August 2022, the Interim Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was submitted to the Governor-General, and then to Parliament. While this podcast sees itself as a veterans storytelling platform first and foremost, topics as exceptional as this are an ongoing part of the stories of veterans and families around the country. As a nation, we’ve lost more veterans to suicide than we did to combat in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. This Royal Commission was something tirelessly campaigned for by veterans and families, so this interim report is an important measure of whether it’s achieving what so many wanted it to.

To discuss the interim report, host Alex Lloyd welcomed back two previous guests. Wes ‘H’ Hennessey is veteran of the 2nd Commando Regiment, a deeply experienced and well-decorated soldier after many combat deployments to Afghanistan. Renee Wilson is the CEO of Australian War Widows NSW, an ambassador for the Commando Welfare Trust, and is a staunch advocate for veterans and their families. She is also the wife of veteran Gary Wilson, who was significantly injured in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• Panel - Returning Home

• Panel - The Vietnam War

• Panel - Life After Service

• #54 'H' Vol I-III (Season 3)

• Panel - Australian Infantry Against the Odds

• Panel - Modern Veterans

• #54 'H' Vol IV-V (Season 4)

• The Partners - Renee Wilson

• Christmas on the Line Vol III

• #107 Brett Wood

• Life After Service: Gary & Renee Wilson

• Christmas on the Line Vol IV

The Fall of Kabul with Glenn Kolomeitz

Angus Hordern speaks with veteran Glenn Kolomeitz about the fall of Kabul in 2021.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Glenn Kolomeitz is a veteran of the Royal Australian Air Force and the Australian Army. Among other roles, he’s been an MP and deployed to Afghanistan as a Legal Officer, working to enable Special Forces on their missions. He was originally interviewed by Angus Hordern in Season 2 of the podcast, in #22 Glenn Kolomeitz. This year, Glenn came back on the show to speak with Angus about the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, one year on, and the work Glenn continues to do in the veterans community.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• #22 Glenn Kolomeitz

• Panel - Returning Home

• Christmas on the Line

• #44 Mick Bainbridge

• Life After Service - Glenn Kolomeitz