Life on the Line

#29 Todd Vail

Angus Hordern interviews Australian Army officer, formerly of the 1st Commando Regiment, Todd Vail. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Lieutenant Colonel Todd Vail, currently serving in the Australian Army. Todd is formerly of the 1st Commando Regiment and was ADC to the Governor of New South Wales. 

A Family at War with Doug Symes Snr

Alex Lloyd speaks with World War II and Korea veteran Doug Symes Snr. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with a World War II and Korean War navy veteran, Doug Symes Snr. Doug shared stories of his childhood, his family's wartime service and his own experiences of life on the sea. This conversation focuses a lot on Doug's life pre-war, showcasing how this cataclysmic conflict affected the average Australian family.

Doug Symes Snr's story continues in Life on the Sea, beginning in Ep I - Korea.

#28 Mark Wales

Alex Lloyd interviews East Timor, Solomon Islands, Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan veteran, formerly of the SAS, Mark Wales. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with East Timor, Solomon Islands and Middle East veteran, Mark Wales. A former member of the Special Air Service, Mark saw multiple deployments to the Middle East as an elite soldier. Alex Lloyd spoke to Mark about aspiring to become Special Forces, his experiences abroad and how his military skills have served him in life after.

In Season 4, Mark’s wife Samantha Gash was interviewed. In Season 5, Mark returned to the podcast to promote his memoir SURVIVOR: LIFE IN THE SAS. Mark returned again to the podcast in 2024 to promote his debut novel OUTRIDER.

My Father's Air War with Charlie Baker

Angus Hordern speaks with Charlie Baker, son of a World War II veteran. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with Charlie Baker, son of Jack, a Royal Australian Air Force veteran who served with British Coastal Command in World War II.

#27 Victor Power

Alex Lloyd interviews World War II veteran Victor Power. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with World War II veteran Victor Power. With both his parents disfigured from World War I, Victor had no interest in joining the fight. He was conscripted in 1939 and found himself at the front in Belgium. Then the order to retreat came - evacuate to Dunkirk.

The Battle of Wau with David Buckwalter

Angus Hordern speaks with David Buckwalter about the Battle of Wau. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with Vietnam veteran David Buckwalter. David spoke to Angus Hordern about an historical topic he is passionate about, the Battle of Wau from the Second World War. David has researched the topic, spoken with the veterans and trekked the battlegrounds of New Guinea.

David's conversation about his service in Vietnam was with Alex Lloyd in Season 1.

The photograph captions have been supplied by David Buckwalter. (Not visible on all mobile devices.)

David Buckwalter exploring New Guinea.

Heading along the Buisaval Track towards Skindiwai.

Typical jungle the war was fought in.

This shot was taken in Aulac Creek on the Black Cat Track. After crossing this creek in a westerly direction, the Japanese headed up to the ridge line and into Wau.

North of Wau, looking back south.

The hill in the distance is where the Battle of Wau took place.

The battlegrounds.

This shot was taken from the Wau end of the Black Cat Track, looking up the ridge line now known as the 'Jap Track'. The left-hand end of the previous picture is what you can see in this picture.

Another shot of Aulac Creek.
A B-17 Flying Fortress shot down over Lae.

It tried to make it to Wau, but failed. One crew member died, the rest rescued by Australians from the Buisaval Track. 

The Bitoi River valley.

The Black Cat Track follows the river on the right-hand bank.

Signs of battle.

This shot was taken on Observation Hill above Mubo. I'm holding a Japanese 75 mm mountain gun round that we found nearby.

Being interviewed by Angus Hordern for the podcast.

The memorial in the centre of Wau.

#26 Allison Norris

Thomas Kaye interviews Allison Norris, currently serving in the Royal Australian Navy. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Commodore Allison Norris, currently serving with the Royal Australian Navy. Allison has seen a variety of deployments, including the Arabian Gulf and the search for MH370. Our thanks go to Defence Media for organising the interview.

Archive Interview - Phil Stevenson

Excerpts from FOR SCHOOL AND COUNTRY interview with World War II veteran Phil Stevenson. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is from our archive vault, an interview with World War II veteran Phil Stevenson.

#25 Paul de Gelder

Alex Lloyd interviews paratrooper, Navy Clearance Diver and shark attack survivor Paul de Gelder. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Paul de Gelder. Paul is a former Australian Army paratrooper, Navy Clearance Diver and shark attack survivor - the first shark attack victim in Sydney Harbour in over 60 years. Paul spoke to Alex Lloyd about the pursuit of a better life, resilience and the power of individual choices.

Naval Historical Society with David Michael

Angus Hordern speaks with David Michael, RAN veteran and Naval Historical Society President. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with Royal Australian Navy veteran Captain David Michael (Ret'd), who is the current President of the Naval Historical Society. David spoke with Angus Hordern about his naval career and the society he now leads.

David returned to the podcast in Christmas on the Line.

#24 Ben Flink

Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews Solomon Islands veteran Ben Flink. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Ben Flink, a veteran of the Australian Army who deployed to the Solomon Islands. Ben spoke to Sharon Mascall-Dare about his journey to the army, his time in uniform, the effect on his family and his passion for supporting veterans and their families.

Highlights from ANZAC Day 2018

Alex Lloyd shares highlights from his day on ANZAC Day 2018. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is a collection of highlights from Alex Lloyd's ANZAC Day 2018. Alex spoke to people in the crowd before and during the Sydney march, and recorded some two-up adventures.

#23 Peter Sinclair

Alex Lloyd interviews retired Rear Admiral and former Governor of New South Wales, Peter Sinclair. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair, career navy man and former Governor of New South Wales. Alex Lloyd spoke with Peter in his home about his incredible naval career, experiences with pirates and in the Vietnam War, and his public life after the military.