‘Blighty Thank God’ is a 12-part podcast, based on the ‘lost’ diary of WW2 RAF pilot Flt. Sgt. Ron Chapman, 22, who served in Africa, the Middle East and Europe...
Extra Episode - SEX, SPIES & LIESMy 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.ukEpisode 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.
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21:14
12 Story of the Diary
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.
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20:34
11 Chemical Bombing at Bari
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 ProffittEpisode 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.
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18:36
10 Secret Missions
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.
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15:08
5 When Jim 'Got His'
Flt Sgt Jimmy Eden was a friend of my father’s, killed outright doing the same job as him - ferrying fighter planes to the North African front. A nine-word entry in his diary on the anniversary of Jimmy’s death set me on a journey to discover what happened to him and to meet the daughter who never knew her father.Diary entries read by granddaughter Bethan.Many thanks to Maureen and her family for sharing information about Flt Sgt. Eden.Also grateful thanks to Rachel Bostock - @rachelbostockmusic - for permission to use The Last Post.Additional voices: Ian Chapman, Judith Chapman.Episode photo: Flt Sgt James Eden.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.
‘Blighty Thank God’ is a 12-part podcast, based on the ‘lost’ diary of WW2 RAF pilot Flt. Sgt. Ron Chapman, 22, who served in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Hosted and produced by his journalist son Neil Chapman it tells some of stories he uncovered when he researched the diary, found 30 years after his father died. The accompanying website - www.blightythankgod.co.uk - contains the complete diary, context notes, maps, photographs and background material.The project is a tribute to the thousands of reluctant WW2 warriors from many nations. Too many of them never made it home to their Blighty.
UK