We Sons of World War Two Vets
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/wesonsofww2vets
Thank you.
We Sons of World War Two Vets
Episode 4. Joe and John
Matthew speaks to Cumberland farmer Joe Roe about his father John.
Joe was born in 1947 but describes the Second World War as "a thread which ran through my entire life".
John's war took him to Dunkirk; the Western Desert; Italy; and, afterwards, to Palestine.
When he came home, John took over the local post office. But, says Joe, "Not a day seemed to go by when the war wasn't mentioned in some way."