Blood, Sweat And Tears

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

20220425

20220427 (R4)

As the BBC's former defence correspondent, Caroline Wyatt spent more than a decade covering the war in Afghanistan. She first went there just after the 9/11 attacks, to report on the British troops joining the US-led coalition against Al Qaeda and their Taliban hosts. By the time combat operations ended in 2014, 454 British military personnel and civilians had died - and many more Afghan civilians.

Following the final withdrawal of US troops last year - and the scramble for safety by Afghans who'd worked with the West - she set out to speak to British veterans of the conflict. To find out what had made them sign up to fight, despite the risks, and what the campaign's ultimate failure means to them now.

Like many who served in Afghanistan, Louise Jones signed up because she `wanted to make a difference`. She found watching the scenes unfold on television `painful`. It made her question how much she trusted those in power `when they say we want to commit to Ukraine, for example.`

Harry Parker, a former captain in the 4th Battalion The Rifles, signed up at 26 just as the fighting in Afghanistan was reaching a crescendo. Eight weeks into his tour of duty he stepped on an improvised explosive device and lost both his legs. Meanwhile, his father General Sir Nick Parker was preparing to head out to Afghanistan to take over as commander of British Forces. `It only made me even more committed to make sure that we achieved our military objectives,` he says, `that we didn't squander young men and women's lives.`

As a commando trained chaplain with the Royal Marines, Stuart Hallam ministered to young soldiers as they fought and died on the front lines. `We never come back to being normal in the same sense as we were normal before. It can be a very positive transformation. But nevertheless, it's a transformation.`

Presenter: Caroline Wyatt

Producer: Emily Williams

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

British veterans of the Afghan war reflect on what the campaign's failure means to them.

Presenter: Caroline Wyatt

Producer: Emily Williams

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

British veterans of the Afghan war reflect on what the campaign's failure means to them.

The Blood-spotted Tissue

20150424

20190317 (R4)

Scottish author Denise Mina writes the first episode in a new series of specially commissioned short stories by three of Britain's top crime writers. 'A Blood Spotted Tissue' is a murder-mystery about a student found to have flesh in her drains'.

These stories were recorded in front of an audience in the MCT theatre, Alleyn's School, Dulwich and were and introduced by Mark Billingham.

Read by Sharon Small

Producer: Celia de Wolff

The first in a new series of specially commissioned stories by top crime writers.

These stories were recorded in front of an audience in the MCT theatre, Alleyn's School, Dulwich and were and introduced by Mark Billingham.

Read by Sharon Small

Producer: Celia de Wolff

The first in a new series of specially commissioned stories by top crime writers.

Like A Glass Jaw

20150501

20190324 (R4)

Mark Billingham writes the second episode in a new series of specially commissioned short stories by three of Britain's top crime writers. Like A Glass Jaw' is the story of an ex-boxer who finds himself caught up in an emotional situation that leads to him realise old habits die hard.

Mark is best known for his series of novels featuring Detective Tom Thorne, as well as being an accomplished actor and stand up comedian.

These stories were recorded in front of an audience in the MCT theatre, Alleyn's School, Dulwich.

Read by Robert Glenister

Producer: Celia de Wolff

The second in a new series of specially commissioned stories by top crime writers.

Mark is best known for his series of novels featuring Detective Tom Thorne, as well as being an accomplished actor and stand up comedian.

These stories were recorded in front of an audience in the MCT theatre, Alleyn's School, Dulwich.

Read by Robert Glenister

Producer: Celia de Wolff

The second in a new series of specially commissioned stories by top crime writers.

The Hollow King

20150508

20190331 (R4)

John Connolly, best known for his series of novels starring Charlie Parker, writes the final episode in a new series of specially commissioned short stories by three of Britain's top crime writers. 'The Hollow King' is a dark and gruesome fantasy tale about a childless King and Queen who possibly love each other too much.

These stories were recorded in front of an audience in the MCT theatre, Alleyns School, Dulwich - and introduced by Mark Billingham.

Read by Pennie Downie.

Producer: Celia de Wolff

The third in a new series of specially commissioned stories by top crime writers.

These stories were recorded in front of an audience in the MCT theatre, Alleyns School, Dulwich - and introduced by Mark Billingham.

Read by Pennie Downie.

Producer: Celia de Wolff

The third in a new series of specially commissioned stories by top crime writers.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
		20220425	20220427 (R4)	As the BBC's former defence correspondent, Caroline Wyatt spent more than a decade covering the war in Afghanistan. She first went there just after the 9/11 attacks, to report on the British troops joining the US-led coalition against Al Qaeda and their Taliban hosts. By the time combat operations ended in 2014, 454 British military personnel and civilians had died - and many more Afghan civilians. Following the final withdrawal of US troops last year - and the scramble for safety by Afghans who'd worked with the West - she set out to speak to British veterans of the conflict. To find out what had made them sign up to fight, despite the risks, and what the campaign's ultimate failure means to them now. Like many who served in Afghanistan, Louise Jones signed up because she `wanted to make a difference`. She found watching the scenes unfold on television `painful`. It made her question how much she trusted those in power `when they say we want to commit to Ukraine, for example.` Harry Parker, a former captain in the 4th Battalion The Rifles, signed up at 26 just as the fighting in Afghanistan was reaching a crescendo. Eight weeks into his tour of duty he stepped on an improvised explosive device and lost both his legs. Meanwhile, his father General Sir Nick Parker was preparing to head out to Afghanistan to take over as commander of British Forces. `It only made me even more committed to make sure that we achieved our military objectives,` he says, `that we didn't squander young men and women's lives.` As a commando trained chaplain with the Royal Marines, Stuart Hallam ministered to young soldiers as they fought and died on the front lines. `We never come back to being normal in the same sense as we were normal before. It can be a very positive transformation. But nevertheless, it's a transformation.` Presenter: Caroline Wyatt Producer: Emily Williams A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 British veterans of the Afghan war reflect on what the campaign's failure means to them. As the BBC's former defence correspondent, Caroline Wyatt spent more than a decade covering the war in Afghanistan. She first went there just after the 9/11 attacks, to report on the British troops joining the US-led coalition against Al Qaeda and their Taliban hosts. By the time combat operations ended in 2014, 454 British military personnel and civilians had died - and many more Afghan civilians. Following the final withdrawal of US troops last year - and the scramble for safety by Afghans who'd worked with the West - she set out to speak to British veterans of the conflict. To find out what had made them sign up to fight, despite the risks, and what the campaign's ultimate failure means to them now. Like many who served in Afghanistan, Louise Jones signed up because she `wanted to make a difference`. She found watching the scenes unfold on television `painful`. It made her question how much she trusted those in power `when they say we want to commit to Ukraine, for example.` Harry Parker, a former captain in the 4th Battalion The Rifles, signed up at 26 just as the fighting in Afghanistan was reaching a crescendo. Eight weeks into his tour of duty he stepped on an improvised explosive device and lost both his legs. Meanwhile, his father General Sir Nick Parker was preparing to head out to Afghanistan to take over as commander of British Forces. `It only made me even more committed to make sure that we achieved our military objectives,` he says, `that we didn't squander young men and women's lives.` As a commando trained chaplain with the Royal Marines, Stuart Hallam ministered to young soldiers as they fought and died on the front lines. `We never come back to being normal in the same sense as we were normal before. It can be a very positive transformation. But nevertheless, it's a transformation.` Presenter: Caroline Wyatt Producer: Emily Williams A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 British veterans of the Afghan war reflect on what the campaign's failure means to them.
01	The Blood-spotted Tissue	20150424	20190317 (R4)	Scottish author Denise Mina writes the first episode in a new series of specially commissioned short stories by three of Britain's top crime writers. 'A Blood Spotted Tissue' is a murder-mystery about a student found to have flesh in her drains'. These stories were recorded in front of an audience in the MCT theatre, Alleyn's School, Dulwich and were and introduced by Mark Billingham. Read by Sharon Small Producer: Celia de Wolff The first in a new series of specially commissioned stories by top crime writers. Scottish author Denise Mina writes the first episode in a new series of specially commissioned short stories by three of Britain's top crime writers. 'A Blood Spotted Tissue' is a murder-mystery about a student found to have flesh in her drains'. These stories were recorded in front of an audience in the MCT theatre, Alleyn's School, Dulwich and were and introduced by Mark Billingham. Read by Sharon Small Producer: Celia de Wolff The first in a new series of specially commissioned stories by top crime writers.
02	Like A Glass Jaw	20150501	20190324 (R4)	Mark Billingham writes the second episode in a new series of specially commissioned short stories by three of Britain's top crime writers. Like A Glass Jaw' is the story of an ex-boxer who finds himself caught up in an emotional situation that leads to him realise old habits die hard. Mark is best known for his series of novels featuring Detective Tom Thorne, as well as being an accomplished actor and stand up comedian. These stories were recorded in front of an audience in the MCT theatre, Alleyn's School, Dulwich. Read by Robert Glenister Producer: Celia de Wolff The second in a new series of specially commissioned stories by top crime writers. Mark Billingham writes the second episode in a new series of specially commissioned short stories by three of Britain's top crime writers. Like A Glass Jaw' is the story of an ex-boxer who finds himself caught up in an emotional situation that leads to him realise old habits die hard. Mark is best known for his series of novels featuring Detective Tom Thorne, as well as being an accomplished actor and stand up comedian. These stories were recorded in front of an audience in the MCT theatre, Alleyn's School, Dulwich. Read by Robert Glenister Producer: Celia de Wolff The second in a new series of specially commissioned stories by top crime writers.
03	The Hollow King	20150508	20190331 (R4)	John Connolly, best known for his series of novels starring Charlie Parker, writes the final episode in a new series of specially commissioned short stories by three of Britain's top crime writers. 'The Hollow King' is a dark and gruesome fantasy tale about a childless King and Queen who possibly love each other too much. These stories were recorded in front of an audience in the MCT theatre, Alleyns School, Dulwich - and introduced by Mark Billingham. Read by Pennie Downie. Producer: Celia de Wolff The third in a new series of specially commissioned stories by top crime writers. John Connolly, best known for his series of novels starring Charlie Parker, writes the final episode in a new series of specially commissioned short stories by three of Britain's top crime writers. 'The Hollow King' is a dark and gruesome fantasy tale about a childless King and Queen who possibly love each other too much. These stories were recorded in front of an audience in the MCT theatre, Alleyns School, Dulwich - and introduced by Mark Billingham. Read by Pennie Downie. Producer: Celia de Wolff The third in a new series of specially commissioned stories by top crime writers.