Tea & Medals BFBS

Darren and Jess have news about our latest BFBS podcast series “Near Death” and how it’s related to “Tea & Medals”. If you enjoyed the Michelle Goodman DFC episode you’ll want to hear this!
Listen to the full series of Near Death here: 
https://open.spotify.com/show/6Z8fTmj6gJ7BRe93qHMGlA
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/near-death/id1712834196
Or watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeQQkbf45pQOEkIBc-2LfEcRVL6QsISos
You’ve been asking us for more episodes…Jess puts Darren on the spot!
Have you got medals stories or Near Death stories? Email us: podcasts@bfbs.com
Or tell us what you think of this episode by using the Spotify link.
With thanks to Stephen Vause, Michelle Goodman DFC, Chris Parker and George Williams.
Please hit the follow button, it really helps more people find our podcasts and means we can keep making them.

A new podcast from the makers of Tea & Medals.
Darren introduces Near Death...
How do you come back from the brink? A close encounter with a body bag, an out of body experience or a fight through a wall of fire. Some people know what it’s like to come back from death’s door.
Near Death is a brand-new podcast from BFBS Creative that explores some of the darkest stories of human survival.
Follow now and never miss an episode: bfbs.com/neardeath

In a More Tea special Darren Coventry and Jess Bracey speak to medal expert Mark Smith about the medals on show at the funeral of Her Majesty the Queen on Monday 19th September. 
We also talk about whether the Queen's pallbearers are likely to receive a medal and look ahead to the Coronation of King Charles III.

In 1962 Sergeant Eric Smith, a search and rescue winchman in the RAF, was called out alongside his crew to the French fishing trawler The Jeanne Gougy which had run aground on the Cornish coast. They spent hours above the sea in a Westland Whirlwind Mark 10 helicopter battling the conditions as Eric was winched down to the vessel to help those in trouble. His heroic actions that day led him to being awarded the George Medal.
60 years on his son Ronnie tells Darren Coventry and Jess Bracey the story of that rescue and why it’s still remembered in RAF history.

17th May 2000, Lungi Lol, Sierra Leone
Sergeant Steve Heaney was deployed to Sierra Leone as part of a task force sent to evacuate foreign citizens caught up in the country’s civil war.
The Revolutionary United Front, a murderous rebel group known for their brutality, were advancing towards the capital Freetown and Steve, along with the rest of his Pathfinder platoon were tasked to stop them.
The 26 soldiers were sent to the jungle village of Lungi Lol for a 48-hour mission which developed into a 16-day siege.
It was the first time the British army had fought in the jungle for 40 years. With no reinforcements to support them, the Pathfinders were forced to fight alone.
Steve tells Darren how he and the pathfinders defended the village, while his Task Force Commander, General Lord Richards explains why Steve became the first Non-Commissioned Officer in the Pathfinders to receive the Military Cross. 
Contributors:
Steve Heaney MC
General The Lord Richards of Herstmonceux GCB CBE DSO DL
Presented by Darren Coventry
Written and produced by Darren Coventry and Josella Waldron
Edited by Andy Prada
Sound Design by Terry Wilson
Original Music by Will Farmer
Executive Producer Alex Griffiths
Watch our videos: youtube.com/c/BFBSCreative
Get in touch: podcasts@bfbs.com

As we mark the 40th anniversary of the 1982 Falklands Conflict, we revisit our Tea & Medals episode with Keith Mills DSC. At just 22 years old Keith Mills, then a Lieutenant in the Royal Marines, was sent to the island of South Georgia to sort out an issue with some Argentinian scrap metal workers. The diplomatic incident turned into an assault where Keith lead his detachment of 22 commandos into battle. This was the starting point of the Falklands Conflict which saw a taskforce of 30,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen deploy to the South Atlantic.
In this episode with Jess Bracey and Darren Coventry, we find out about the unexpected heroes welcome Keith received after he left South Georgia.