Blighty Thank God

Extra Episode - SEX, SPIES & LIES
My father’s suspicions about the aircraft crash that killed the grandfather of award-winning historical author Jessie Childs, echoed her family history.
She contacted me to discuss the remarkable career of international diplomat Stephen Childs, who died on the fateful flight out of Iran on January 18th, 1943 and featured in Episode 1 of ‘Blighty Thank God’.
She also shared an official file on the crash that spotlighted the tangled affairs of another passenger ,who turned out to be a British spy.
Additional voices: Phil, Nick and Judith Chapman, Toby Odone and Malcolm Parker.
Visit www.blightythankgod.co.uk for the full interview with Jessie Childs.
Her website is: www.jessiechilds.co.uk
Episode photo: Stephen Childs (Courtesy Jessie Childs).
I'd welcome any messages, especially if you enjoyed the episode stories.
To find maps, photographs and other material associated with each episode as well as the complete diary and context notes  visit the podcast website – www.blightythankgod.co.uk.

The ‘Blighty Thank God’ podcast and website could not have been produced without expert help from webman Geoff Paddock of GP Media and podcast producer Sam Pauly of SummitUp. Sam interviews me - Neil Chapman - about the podcast and web resources based on my late father’s diary for 1943 and how finding the 'lost' diary turned into a 6-year research project.
Immeasurable thanks to Crockford Management for permission to use a rendition of ‘The Last Post’ played by Mark Knopfler - dedicated to the Northumberland Fusiliers who lost their lives in the First World War, and as part of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Living Memory Project.
Episode photo: Flt. Sgt Ron Chapman in his flying suit outside his parents’ house.
I'd welcome any messages, especially if you enjoyed the episode stories.
To find maps, photographs and other material associated with each episode as well as the complete diary and context notes  visit the podcast website – www.blightythankgod.co.uk.

After a relatively peaceful war, the Italian port of Bari suffered a terrible bombing raid in December, 1943 that led to a poison gas release killing many in mysterious circumstances that the Allies tried to cover up.
My father’s diary describes the aftermath and the dangers of visiting the local 'vino shop' for a drink in the lead up to Christmas, 1943 and the New Year.
Diary entries read by grandson Nick.
Additional voice: Lynda Proffitt
Episode photo: Civilians caught up in the Bari bombing.

I'd welcome any messages, especially if you enjoyed the episode stories.
To find maps, photographs and other material associated with each episode as well as the complete diary and context notes  visit the podcast website – www.blightythankgod.co.uk.

The revelation, after he died, that my father was involved in secret missions to drop supplies to civilian resistance fighters during the war came as a surprise to our family.
It took many decades to finally unravel the full story behind what he did, the risks he took and the full extent of 267 Squadron’s secret operations that played a role in thwarting Hitler’s vengeance weapons.
Diary entries read by grandson Nick.
Additional voice: Chris Hogg.
Episode photo: A 267 Squadron Douglas Dakota over the Adriatic Sea. (Source IWM)

I'd welcome any messages, especially if you enjoyed the episode stories.
To find maps, photographs and other material associated with each episode as well as the complete diary and context notes  visit the podcast website – www.blightythankgod.co.uk.

Researching 2 Bisley aircraft that my father helped recover after both force landed (Listen to ‘A New Goolie Chit’ episode), I discovered numerous other, similar incidents, some with fatal consequences.
I also discovered how much pilots despised the aircraft, dubbing it the ‘Grisly Bisley’. Shockingly the plane’s failings were well known to senior RAF leaders and while the Middle East was somewhat of a backwater, risks it posed for pilots had to be weighed against keeping vital supply lines moving.
Diary entries read by granddaughter Maeve.
Additional voices: Chris Proffitt, the late Wing Commander ‘Ronnie’ Rotherham.
Episode photo: Wing Commander ‘Ronnie’ Rotherham.
I'd welcome any messages, especially if you enjoyed the episode stories.
To find maps, photographs and other material associated with each episode as well as the complete diary and context notes  visit the podcast website – www.blightythankgod.co.uk.