< Back

Podcast: Tea & Medals

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    "description": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>",
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            "series_title": "Tea & Medals",
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
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            "title": "More Tea: Near Death",
            "content": "<p>Darren and Jess have news about our latest BFBS podcast series \u201cNear Death\u201d and how it\u2019s related to \u201cTea &amp; Medals\u201d.&nbsp;If you enjoyed the Michelle Goodman DFC episode you\u2019ll want to hear this!<\/p><p>Listen to the full series of Near Death here:&nbsp;<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/6Z8fTmj6gJ7BRe93qHMGlA\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/6Z8fTmj6gJ7BRe93qHMGlA<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/near-death\/id1712834196\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/near-death\/id1712834196<\/a><\/p><p>Or watch here: <\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLeQQkbf45pQOEkIBc-2LfEcRVL6QsISos\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLeQQkbf45pQOEkIBc-2LfEcRVL6QsISos<\/a><\/p><p>You\u2019ve been asking us for more episodes\u2026Jess puts Darren on the spot!<\/p><p>Have you got medals stories or Near Death stories?&nbsp;Email us: <a href=\"mailto:[email protected]\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">[email protected]<\/a><\/p><p>Or tell us what you think of this episode by using the Spotify link.<\/p><p>With thanks to Stephen Vause, Michelle Goodman DFC, Chris Parker and George Williams.<\/p><p>Please hit the follow button, it really helps more people find our podcasts and means we can keep making them.<\/p><p><br><\/p>",
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            "title": "Trailer:  Introducing Near Death",
            "content": "<p>A new podcast from the makers of Tea &amp; Medals.<\/p><p>Darren introduces <strong>Near Death<\/strong>...<\/p><p>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.&nbsp;Some people know what it\u2019s like to come back from death\u2019s door.<\/p><p>Near Death is a brand-new podcast from BFBS Creative that explores some of the darkest stories of human survival.<\/p><p>Follow now and never miss an episode:  <a href=\"bfbs.com\/neardeath\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">bfbs.com\/neardeath<\/a><\/p>",
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            "title": "More Tea: Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II",
            "content": "<p>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&nbsp;September.&nbsp;<\/p><p>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.<\/p>",
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
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            "title": "More Tea: Eric Smith, George Medal",
            "content": "<p><span style=\"color: black;\">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.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: black;\">60 years on his son Ronnie tells Darren Coventry and Jess Bracey the story of that rescue and why it\u2019s still remembered in RAF history.<\/span><\/p>",
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
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            "title": "Steve Heaney MC: Jungle Siege in Sierra Leone",
            "content": "<p>17<sup>th<\/sup> May 2000, Lungi Lol, Sierra Leone<\/p><p>Sergeant Steve Heaney was deployed to Sierra Leone as part of a task force sent to evacuate foreign citizens caught up in the country\u2019s civil war.<\/p><p>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.<\/p><p>The 26 soldiers were sent to the jungle village of Lungi Lol for a 48-hour mission which developed into a 16-day siege.<\/p><p>It was the first time the British army had fought in the jungle for 40 years.&nbsp;With no reinforcements to support them, the Pathfinders were forced to fight alone.<\/p><p>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.&nbsp;<\/p><p><strong>Contributors<\/strong>:<\/p><p>Steve Heaney MC<\/p><p>General The Lord Richards of Herstmonceux GCB CBE DSO DL<\/p><p>Presented by Darren Coventry<\/p><p>Written and produced by Darren Coventry and Josella Waldron<\/p><p>Edited by Andy Prada <\/p><p>Sound Design by Terry Wilson<\/p><p>Original Music by Will Farmer<\/p><p>Executive Producer Alex Griffiths<\/p><p>Watch our videos: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/BFBSCreative\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">youtube.com\/c\/BFBSCreative<\/a><\/p><p>Get in touch:  <a href=\"mailto:[email protected]\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">[email protected]<\/a><\/p>",
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
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            "title": "More Tea: Keith Mills DSC",
            "content": "<p><span style=\"color: rgb(7, 79, 113);\">As we mark the 40<\/span><sup style=\"color: rgb(7, 79, 113);\">th<\/sup><span style=\"color: rgb(7, 79, 113);\"> anniversary of the 1982 Falklands Conflict, we revisit our Tea &amp; 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. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: rgb(7, 79, 113);\">In this episode with Jess Bracey and Darren Coventry, we find out about the unexpected heroes welcome Keith received after he left South Georgia.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>",
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
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            "title": "Richard Westley OBE MC: The Battle to Save Gorazde",
            "content": "<p>28<sup>th<\/sup> May 1995 Gorazde, Bosnia<\/p><p>Major Richard Westley and his company of Royal Welch Fusiliers were working as United Nations protection force troops, attempting to keep the peace in the hostilities that followed the break-up of the former Yugoslavia.<\/p><p>Richard\u2019s company of Fusiliers were protecting civilians in Gorazde, one of several Bosnian Muslim enclaves when advancing Bosnian Serb forces decided to attack the town.<\/p><p>Richard tells Darren how B Company managed to stop the Serbs from taking the town and prevent the kind of massacre that was later seen in Srebrenica.<\/p><p>The Fusiliers received numerous gallantry awards for their actions, including Richard himself who was awarded the Military Cross.<\/p><p><strong>Contributors:<\/strong><\/p><p>Colonel Richard Westley, OBE MC<\/p><p>Lieutenant-General Jonathon Riley CB DSO<\/p><p>Colonel Tim Collins OBE<\/p><p>Presented by Darren Coventry<\/p><p>Written and produced by Darren Coventry and Josella Waldron<\/p><p>Edited by Andy Prada <\/p><p>Sound Design by Terry Wilson<\/p><p>Original Music by Will Farmer<\/p><p>Executive Producer Alex Griffiths<\/p><p>More from BFBS Creative: <a href=\" https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/BFBSCreative\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">youtube.com\/c\/BFBSCreative<\/a><\/p>",
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            "title": "More Tea: Malta and the George Cross",
            "content": "<p>In 1942 the island of Malta was awarded the George Cross by King George 6<sup>th<\/sup> to recognise the population\u2019s bravery and defiance during the Second World War. They refused to surrender despite continuous bombardment by German and Italian forces throughout The Siege of Malta. As well as The George Cross, a number of civilians were also awarded the George Medal.<\/p><p>Until recently, WO2 John Thompson was Britain\u2019s most decorated Royal Marine Commando. He was mentioned in despatches in recognition of his gallant and distinguished service in Iraq and later received the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross following a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan.<\/p><p>In this episode with Jess Bracey and Darren Coventry, we find out about the recipients with Mario Farrugia, Chairman of the Malta Heritage Trust.&nbsp;<\/p>",
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            "series": [
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "Malta and the George Cross: WW2 Island Fortress",
            "content": "<p>15<sup>th<\/sup> April 1942, Valetta, Malta.<\/p><p>Between 1940 and 1943 the combined air forces of Italy and Germany launched twenty-six thousand aerial sorties against Malta. The island was part of the British Empire at the time, but Germany and Italy wanted to take this perfectly placed strategic location in the middle of the Mediterranean for themselves.<\/p><p>A sustained attack in 1942 became known as The Siege of Malta.&nbsp;Despite the continued bombardment the people of the island refused to surrender.&nbsp;In recognition of their heroism, King George 6<sup>th<\/sup> awarded the George Cross to the country in April 1942. <\/p><p>Eighty years on, it\u2019s still important to Malta as Darren Coventry discovered when he talked to the people there who are keeping those wartime memories alive.<\/p><p><strong>Contributors<\/strong>:<\/p><p>Mario Farrugia, Kim Dalli and Joseph Debono<\/p><p>Presented by Darren Coventry<\/p><p>Written and produced by Darren Coventry and Josella Waldron<\/p><p>Edited by Andy Prada <\/p><p>Sound Design by Terry Wilson<\/p><p>Original Music by Will Farmer<\/p><p>Executive Producer Alex Griffiths<\/p><p>Find out more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forces.net\/heritage\/history\/courageous-women-who-stepped-defence-malta\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.forces.net\/heritage\/history\/courageous-women-who-stepped-defence-malta<\/a><\/p>",
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
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            "title": "More Tea: Tommo's Mention in Despatches",
            "content": "<p><span style=\"color: black;\">Until recently, WO2 John Thompson was Britain\u2019s most decorated Royal Marine Commando. He was mentioned in dispatches in recognition of his gallant and distinguished service in Iraq and later received the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross following a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: black;\">In this bonus episode with Jess Bracey and Darren Coventry, Tommo explains what happened in Iraq.<\/span><\/p><p>Listened to the podcast?  Now watch our videos: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCiWYBIWzU_F5makrkqwGQ1w\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCiWYBIWzU_F5makrkqwGQ1w<\/a><\/p><p>Follow us: <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BFBSCreative\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/twitter.com\/BFBSCreative<\/a><\/p>",
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                "google": "https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaGFycC1zdHJlYW0uY29tL2NvbnRlbnQvc3N2Yy9mZWVkLWZpbGVzL3RlYV9tZWRhbHMueG1s"
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            "isoDate": "2022-03-25T09:29:00.000000Z",
            "series": [
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "John Thompson CGC: Royal Marine Gun Battle",
            "content": "<p>10<sup>th<\/sup> January 2007, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.<\/p><p>By the time Corporal John Thompson made his way to Afghanistan in 2006 for Operation Herrick 5, he had already been mentioned in despatches in recognition of his gallant and distinguished service in Iraq.&nbsp;But that wasn\u2019t the end of his bravery. Three years later in Afghanistan a Taliban ambush saw his company of Royal Marines fight for their lives in a gun battle lasting four hours.<\/p><p>John tells Darren about what it was like to fight the Taliban deep inside enemy territory and how his actions lead to him receiving the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.&nbsp;When John completed his military service, he was officially Britain\u2019s most highly decorated Royal Marine.<\/p><p><strong>Contributors<\/strong>:<\/p><p>John Thompson CGC, Ads Lison<\/p><p>Presented by Darren Coventry<\/p><p>Written and produced by Darren Coventry and Josella Waldron<\/p><p>Edited by Andy Prada <\/p><p>Sound Design by Terry Wilson<\/p><p>Original Music by Will Farmer<\/p><p>Executive Producer Alex Griffiths<\/p>",
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                "itunes": "https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/gb\/podcast\/tea-medals\/id1566884201",
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "Meet the Host: Former British Army WO2 Darren Coventry",
            "content": "<p>Tea &amp; Medals is back for Series 2!&nbsp;But before we get stuck into more stories of gallantry and bravery, we find out more about our host Darren Coventry, whose military career spanned more than 1700 days on operation, including several tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.<\/p><p>Podcast producer Josella Waldron asks Darren about his connections to the stories, with a look back at Series 1 and a look ahead to Series 2.<\/p><p><br><\/p>",
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                "spotify": "https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/5XbrC1etVQ9ngLSZHdRCgl",
                "itunes": "https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/gb\/podcast\/tea-medals\/id1566884201",
                "google": "https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaGFycC1zdHJlYW0uY29tL2NvbnRlbnQvc3N2Yy9mZWVkLWZpbGVzL3RlYV9tZWRhbHMueG1s"
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "More Tea: Investing in History",
            "content": "What drives the market for buying and selling medals? Is it an honourable desire to preserve history, or simply economics? In this episode, medal expert Mark Smith tells Darren about the keen medal collecting community, as well as the honours that can be bestowed by our allies.",
            "downloadable": 1,
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                "spotify": "https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/5XbrC1etVQ9ngLSZHdRCgl",
                "itunes": "https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/gb\/podcast\/tea-medals\/id1566884201",
                "google": "https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaGFycC1zdHJlYW0uY29tL2NvbnRlbnQvc3N2Yy9mZWVkLWZpbGVzL3RlYV9tZWRhbHMueG1s"
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "More Tea: New Bling for the 90s",
            "content": "1993 saw a big shake up to Britain\u2019s military honours. A new look established equality across the ranks and a new medal filled a void in the hierarchy of gallantry. In this episode medal expert Mark Smith introduces Darren to the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. They\u2019re very rare, on account of the medal\u2019s relative youth, and the circumstances for which they can be awarded. Nevertheless, Mark has a remarkable story of a deserving recipient.",
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                "spotify": "https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/5XbrC1etVQ9ngLSZHdRCgl",
                "itunes": "https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/gb\/podcast\/tea-medals\/id1566884201",
                "google": "https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaGFycC1zdHJlYW0uY29tL2NvbnRlbnQvc3N2Yy9mZWVkLWZpbGVzL3RlYV9tZWRhbHMueG1s"
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "More Tea: For Gallantry",
            "content": "The George Cross is on par with the Victoria Cross in the table of Gallantry, so how do they differ? The answer may not be as straightforward as you think. In this episode, medal expert and military historian, Mark Smith, guides Darren through the subtle differences between these top tier awards, and provides the context to its institution by King George VI in 1940.",
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                "spotify": "https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/5XbrC1etVQ9ngLSZHdRCgl",
                "itunes": "https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/gb\/podcast\/tea-medals\/id1566884201",
                "google": "https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaGFycC1zdHJlYW0uY29tL2NvbnRlbnQvc3N2Yy9mZWVkLWZpbGVzL3RlYV9tZWRhbHMueG1s"
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "More Tea: Many Medals for The Few",
            "content": "More Distinguished Flying Crosses were issued in the Second World War than any other award. In this episode, medal expert Mark Smith introduces Darren to some of his favourite DFC recipients, from the aviators known as \u2018The Few\u2019. Their daring dogfights in the Battle of Britain secured air superiority over the German Luftwaffe, resulting in Adolf Hitler abandoning his plans for an invasion on British soil.",
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                "spotify": "https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/5XbrC1etVQ9ngLSZHdRCgl",
                "itunes": "https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/gb\/podcast\/tea-medals\/id1566884201",
                "google": "https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaGFycC1zdHJlYW0uY29tL2NvbnRlbnQvc3N2Yy9mZWVkLWZpbGVzL3RlYV9tZWRhbHMueG1s"
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "More Tea: Gongs for the Girls",
            "content": "When did Britain start awarding medals to women? At their introduction, Britain\u2019s military honours were exclusively for men. In this bonus episode military historian Mark Smith introduces Darren to the trailblazing women of the Nursing Service, who did their duty with no medallic recognition, and reveals which campaign rang the changes.",
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                "spotify": "https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/5XbrC1etVQ9ngLSZHdRCgl",
                "itunes": "https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/gb\/podcast\/tea-medals\/id1566884201",
                "google": "https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaGFycC1zdHJlYW0uY29tL2NvbnRlbnQvc3N2Yy9mZWVkLWZpbGVzL3RlYV9tZWRhbHMueG1s"
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "More Tea: Meeting the Standard",
            "content": "The First World War saw the advent of the Royal Air Force, and with a new service came more medals and tough decisions about who gets what. So how are those decisions made?\n\nIn this bonus episode expert Mark Smith talks Darren through medal admin and the hoops that have to be jumped through before one can be awarded.",
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            "external_links": {
                "spotify": "https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/5XbrC1etVQ9ngLSZHdRCgl",
                "itunes": "https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/gb\/podcast\/tea-medals\/id1566884201",
                "google": "https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaGFycC1zdHJlYW0uY29tL2NvbnRlbnQvc3N2Yy9mZWVkLWZpbGVzL3RlYV9tZWRhbHMueG1s"
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "More Tea: The Gap Filler",
            "content": "The original statute for the Victoria Cross stated that the honour couldn\u2019t be bestowed posthumously, but that\u2019s not the case today. Public pressure led to the re-writing of the statute, all because of the actions of two young officers at Rorke\u2019s Drift. Mark Smith tells Darren of their bravery in this bonus episode, and introduces a new medal to the mix, the Military Cross.",
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "Keith Mills DSC:  South Georgia Invasion",
            "content": "3rd April 1982, South Georgia, South Atlantic.\nThe Falklands War wasn\u2019t just about the Falkland Islands. There\u2019s another British Overseas Territory a thousand miles away which has its own story to tell about that particular conflict\u2026\nAnd who better to tell it than Keith Mills, then a Lieutenant in the Royal Marines, who at just 22 years old was sent to the tiny island of South Georgia to sort out a problem with some Argentinian scrap metal workers.\nWhat started out as a diplomatic incident soon became a full Argentinian assault and Keith was forced to lead his detachment of 22 commandos in a battle that was impossible to win.\nDarren Coventry talks to Keith about the difficult decisions he made that day, along with former Royal Marines Bob Ashton and Steve Holding who witnessed the bravery that would lead to him receiving the Distinguished Service Cross. \nContributors:\nKeith Mills DSC\nBob Ashton\nSteve Holding\nWith thanks to Falklands Radio for the use of their archive recording of Governor Rex Hunt.\nCredits:\nPresented by Darren Coventry\nWritten and produced by Josella Waldron and Simon Thornton\nEdited by Andy Prada \nSound Design by Mark Pittam\nOriginal Music by Will Farmer\nExecutive Producer Alex Griffiths",
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "More Tea: For Valour",
            "content": "Queen Victoria wanted a new medal for her soldiers and sailors.  \nIt would be an award for the bravest of the brave, something that would only be presented to those who had shown extreme bravery in the face of the enemy.\nIn this bonus episode Darren asks medals expert Mark Smith to tell him the story of the Victoria Cross.\nThere\u2019s also a preview of episode four: how a 22 year old Lieutenant in the Royal Marines received a Distinguished Service Cross for his actions at the start of the Falklands War.",
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                "url": "https:\/\/aod.sharp-stream.com\/content\/bfbs_podcasts\/storage\/1623862413-major_pete_norton_gc_baghdad_ied.mp3?aw_0_1st.ri=sharpstream&aw_0_1st.organization=sharpstream&awEpisodeId=0cd95b28-40d9-450d-9b9c-23ca372d3a13&awCollectionId=670bc0a4-dc9d-4651-b1df-4d1cd12aacfb&providerId=bfbs_podcasts"
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            "isoDate": "2021-06-16T23:05:00.000000Z",
            "series": [
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            "series_title": "Tea & Medals",
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "Major Pete Norton GC:  Baghdad IED",
            "content": "24th July, 2005, Al Bayaa District, near Baghdad, Iraq.\n\nCaptain Pete Norton was used to dealing with explosives.  By the time he deployed to Iraq he had spent more than 20 years working in bomb disposal.  He was so well known for his cool head and unflappable nature he was given the nickname \u201cPerfect Pete\u201d.\nBut one night investigating the scene of a devastating IED attack outside Baghdad, would change his life forever.\n\nPete was checking for further devices when a secondary IED exploded almost killing him.  But while he fought for his own life, he also fought for the safety of his team, giving them vital life-saving instructions and refusing to be evacuated until he was sure that everyone understood the danger.\n\nDarren talks to Pete and two of his multinational team members; Nick and Chris from the FBI, about the blast and how Pete also received an FBI Star for his actions.\n\nContributors:\nMajor Pete Norton GC\nNick Boshears\nChris Rigapoulos\n\nWith thanks to The VC and GC Association, The Federal Bureau of Investigation\n\nCredits:\nPresented by Darren Coventry\nWritten and produced by Josella Waldron and Simon Thornton\nEdited by Andy Prada \nSound Design by Mark Pittam\nOriginal Music by Will Farmer\nExecutive Producer Alex Griffiths",
            "downloadable": 1,
            "external_links": {
                "spotify": "https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/5XbrC1etVQ9ngLSZHdRCgl",
                "itunes": "https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/gb\/podcast\/tea-medals\/id1566884201",
                "google": "https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaGFycC1zdHJlYW0uY29tL2NvbnRlbnQvc3N2Yy9mZWVkLWZpbGVzL3RlYV9tZWRhbHMueG1s"
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                "url": "https:\/\/aod.sharp-stream.com\/content\/bfbs_podcasts\/storage\/1623255578-more_tea_queen_victoria_brings_the_bling.mp3?aw_0_1st.ri=sharpstream&aw_0_1st.organization=sharpstream&awEpisodeId=7c37647a-c190-47f1-a27c-c745f0111477&awCollectionId=670bc0a4-dc9d-4651-b1df-4d1cd12aacfb&providerId=bfbs_podcasts"
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            "isoDate": "2021-06-09T23:05:00.000000Z",
            "series": [
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            "series_title": "Tea & Medals",
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "More Tea: Queen Victoria Brings the Bling",
            "content": "Queen Victoria was dismayed to discover there were no medals for those who fought for Britain in the Battle of Trafalgar or those who fought with the Duke of Wellington in the Peninsular.\nIn fact, she was so unhappy, she invented two new medals herself.\nIn this bonus episode Darren talks to medals expert Mark Smith about Queen Victoria\u2019s important role in the story of British military honours.\nThere\u2019s also a preview of episode three which features the recipient of a George Cross AND an FBI Star for his life-saving actions in Iraq.",
            "downloadable": 1,
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                "spotify": "https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/5XbrC1etVQ9ngLSZHdRCgl",
                "itunes": "https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/gb\/podcast\/tea-medals\/id1566884201",
                "google": "https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaGFycC1zdHJlYW0uY29tL2NvbnRlbnQvc3N2Yy9mZWVkLWZpbGVzL3RlYV9tZWRhbHMueG1s"
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                "url": "https:\/\/aod.sharp-stream.com\/content\/bfbs_podcasts\/storage\/1633968795-michelle_goodman_dfc_helicopter_rescue_under_fire.mp3?aw_0_1st.ri=sharpstream&aw_0_1st.organization=sharpstream&awEpisodeId=293db808-69e1-4970-a6b0-985745f00cda&awCollectionId=670bc0a4-dc9d-4651-b1df-4d1cd12aacfb&providerId=bfbs_podcasts"
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            "isoDate": "2021-06-02T23:01:00.000000Z",
            "series": [
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            "series_title": "Tea & Medals",
            "itunes": {
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "Michelle Goodman DFC:  Helicopter Rescue Under Fire",
            "content": "1st June 2007, Basra, Iraq.\n\nRAF Helicopter Pilot Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman and the rest of her Merlin crew were used to flying into dangerous places.  They were part of an Incident Response Team (IRT) which picked up seriously injured soldiers and took them to hospital for treatment.  But one night in Basra proved to be like no other when the crew flew to the rescue of a young soldier with very serious injuries sustained in a mortar attack.\n\nMichelle flew into the city at night and under fire from rocket-propelled grenades and mortars.  \n\nDarren talks to Michelle who is the first woman ever to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, as well as other members of the Merlin Crew about the decisions they made and the risks they took to save a life.\n\nContributors:\nMichelle Goodman DFC, George Williams and Chris Parker.\nWith thanks to Stephen Vause and family.\n\nCredits:\nPresented by Darren Coventry\nWritten and produced by Josella Waldron and Simon Thornton\nEdited by Andy Prada \nSound Design by Mark Pittam\nOriginal Music by Will Farmer\nExecutive Producer Alex Griffiths",
            "downloadable": 1,
            "external_links": {
                "spotify": "https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/5XbrC1etVQ9ngLSZHdRCgl",
                "itunes": "https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/gb\/podcast\/tea-medals\/id1566884201",
                "google": "https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaGFycC1zdHJlYW0uY29tL2NvbnRlbnQvc3N2Yy9mZWVkLWZpbGVzL3RlYV9tZWRhbHMueG1s"
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                "url": "https:\/\/aod.sharp-stream.com\/content\/bfbs_podcasts\/storage\/1622043141-more_tea_the_first_british_medals.mp3?aw_0_1st.ri=sharpstream&aw_0_1st.organization=sharpstream&awEpisodeId=8c70ba80-9049-47b6-be05-b271127a7b54&awCollectionId=670bc0a4-dc9d-4651-b1df-4d1cd12aacfb&providerId=bfbs_podcasts"
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "More Tea: The First British Medals",
            "content": "Who invented medals? \n\nWhen did Britain start awarding them to soldiers? \n\nIn this bonus episode Darren talks to medals expert Mark Smith about the beginnings of Britain's military honours system. There's also a sneak preview of episode two featuring the first female recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.",
            "downloadable": 1,
            "external_links": {
                "spotify": "https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/5XbrC1etVQ9ngLSZHdRCgl",
                "itunes": "https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/gb\/podcast\/tea-medals\/id1566884201",
                "google": "https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaGFycC1zdHJlYW0uY29tL2NvbnRlbnQvc3N2Yy9mZWVkLWZpbGVzL3RlYV9tZWRhbHMueG1s"
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                "url": "https:\/\/aod.sharp-stream.com\/content\/bfbs_podcasts\/storage\/1621447906-chris_balmforth_mc_ambush_in_basra.mp3?aw_0_1st.ri=sharpstream&aw_0_1st.organization=sharpstream&awEpisodeId=acb93178-c7e1-4a95-9407-32d9074bd356&awCollectionId=670bc0a4-dc9d-4651-b1df-4d1cd12aacfb&providerId=bfbs_podcasts"
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            "isoDate": "2021-05-19T23:01:00.000000Z",
            "series": [
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            "series_title": "Tea & Medals",
            "itunes": {
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "Chris Balmforth MC: Ambush in Basra",
            "content": "8th April 2004, Basra, Iraq. \n\nCorporal Chris \u201cBarney\u201d Balmforth wasn\u2019t expecting any dramas as he and the rest of B Troop Queen\u2019s Royal Hussars carried out their regular training and mentoring session at al- Jamiat police station.  But when \u201csomething special\u201d arrived in the back of a pick-up truck, everything changed.  \n\nChris recalls how one bizarre incident turned everything on its head as the troop came under fire from Iraqi insurgents as they left the police station, leaving one of Chris\u2019s fellow troopers fighting for his life.  \n\nDarren Coventry was also there that day, serving with the Royal Military Police.  He talks to Chris, his commanding officers and fellow soldiers who tell him what happened and why Chris\u2019s incredible actions earned him the Military Cross. \n\nWith thanks to Chris Balmforth MC, Lt Col Matt Cocup, Major Trevor Gray, Curtis Pike and Dave King.\n\nPresented by Darren Coventry \nWritten and produced by Josella Waldron and Simon Thornton \nEdited by Andy Prada  \nSound Design by Mark Pittam \nOriginal Music by Will Farmer \nExecutive Producer Alex Griffiths",
            "downloadable": 1,
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                "spotify": "https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/5XbrC1etVQ9ngLSZHdRCgl",
                "itunes": "https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/gb\/podcast\/tea-medals\/id1566884201",
                "google": "https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaGFycC1zdHJlYW0uY29tL2NvbnRlbnQvc3N2Yy9mZWVkLWZpbGVzL3RlYV9tZWRhbHMueG1s"
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                "url": "https:\/\/aod.sharp-stream.com\/content\/bfbs_podcasts\/storage\/1620886619-introducing_tea_and_medals.mp3?aw_0_1st.ri=sharpstream&aw_0_1st.organization=sharpstream&awEpisodeId=985099a8-064d-4831-ade9-8a57d71b12f0&awCollectionId=670bc0a4-dc9d-4651-b1df-4d1cd12aacfb&providerId=bfbs_podcasts"
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            "isoDate": "2021-05-06T12:00:00.000000Z",
            "series": [
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            "series_title": "Tea & Medals",
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                "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>"
            },
            "title": "Introducing: Tea and Medals",
            "content": "What does it mean to be brave?  So brave that you\u2019re invited to Buckingham Palace to receive one of the UK\u2019s highest military honours.\nFormer soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who have done just that.  He makes them a brew and they tell him the stories behind their medals, which are never quite as straightforward as they seem.  \nDarren also talks to those who witnessed these incidents first-hand and can tell us more about those who had the courage and the grit to be brave.\nComing soon. Subscribe now and never miss an episode of this original podcast series from BFBS.",
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                "spotify": "https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/5XbrC1etVQ9ngLSZHdRCgl",
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        "type": "episodic",
        "summary": "<p>Stories of Valour, Courage and Bravery.<\/p><p>Former British soldier Darren Coventry talks to men and women who\u2019ve received the UK\u2019s highest military honours.&nbsp;Hear the real stories behind acts of bravery from the medal recipients and those who were there.<\/p>",
        "language": "en-gb",
        "copyright": "BFBS 2024",
        "managing_editor": "[email protected] (Josella Waldron)",
        "webmaster": "[email protected] (Josella Waldron)",
        "publish_date": "2021-05-06T05:53:00.000000Z",
        "itunes_category_id": 8,
        "itunes_subcategory_id": null,
        "image_url": "https:\/\/assets.sharp-stream.com\/content\/ssvc\/artwork\/1620299740-tea_medals_06_05_3000x3000.png",
        "author": "BFBS Radio",
        "explicit": "yes",
        "docs": null,
        "link": "https:\/\/radio.bfbs.com\/",
        "new_feed_url": "https:\/\/feeds.sharp-stream.com\/content\/bfbs_podcasts\/feed-files\/tea_medals.xml",
        "owner_name": "BFBS Radio",
        "owner_email": "[email protected]",
        "created_at": "2021-05-06T09:50:59.000000Z",
        "updated_at": "2024-02-19T15:23:45.000000Z"
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    "bfbs_id": "podcast_670bc0a4-dc9d-4651-b1df-4d1cd12aacfb",
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