We Sons of World War Two Vets
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.
We Sons of World War Two Vets
Robin and Ron
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Classical music conductor, Robin Smith, talks about his father, Ron, who was a prisoner-of-war held by the Japanese - in Changi Jail and in the railway death camps.
Ron hated the film The Bridge on the River Kwai because, he said, "The reality was far worse than that..."
Ron witnessed savagery during his four years as a prisoner. When he got home to Ipswich in 1946 his body and his faith in humanity were damaged.
But he built a happy postwar life - as an Ipswich postman (delivering letters to Alf Ramsey); as a loving husband and father; and as an Ipswich football fan.
Robin, who became a classical music conductor, was always an immense source of pride to him. And in Ron's later life, Robin gave him four grand-children whom he completely doted on.