Gary Lineker traces his grandfather’s military service

I think we all agree with these sentiments - but I think any adverse comments above were in respect to some of the basic mistakes with the background research and the current day filming not matching with the narrative, which led to an occasional confusing narrative thread ... repeatedly saying "Rapido" rather than using Garigliano or Gari being one example.

But overall I think it was very good.

Faugh a Ballagh !

 

Thanks for pointing out, I've now updated to clarify...

 

And just for good measure, some of 1 L.I.R and 2 L.I.R. entries have been added on separate threads at...

2nd Battalion London Irish Rifles North Africa and Italy 1944

1st Battalion London Irish Rifles in Italy 1944

 

At the risk of being a bit rude, I think this is obscuring the D Day Dodgers thread - any chance of creating a new thread and transferring these quotes over onto it..

 

There is a podcast (audio) here: Dan Snow’s History Hit

Currently (i.e. for a short while) as the "latest podcast" 23mins -

Gary Lineker on his 'D-Day Dodger' Grandfather

 

Hi,

Someone has posted a copy of the programme on YouTube -



Hope it works?

Steve

 

Not rude at all! Separate threads created for each....

 

Thank you VERY much Tullybrone. I just finished watching the programme.

I thought it was extremely good. I will grant those who know more than me that it wasn't 100% correct in all respects, but it told some of the story. I mean, if they had tried to tell the story of the entire campaign it would have been another hour longer; with the length they had, it was probably a good idea to focus on the part up to the liberation of Rome. I think that conflating the names of the rivers, even if not accurate, was probably done to simplify things for the inexperienced viewer.

I liked that it highlighted his grandfather's experiences in the medical corps and showed us them at work. Finding that aid station was remarkable.

I also appreciated that this was (at least portrayed as) the story of him discovering his grandfather's service in Italy. Maybe others whose grandfathers or great-grandfathers served there will be inspired to learn about what they went through.

 

In the past i have had conversations with Fred Mason & Frank de Planta. The last time i was on the phone to Fred he mentinoned that he was ok that Wall to Wall productions got in contact with him.

I did offer to send them all the info that i had
on the 1st British Infantry Division in the Anzio Campaign. That wise chap called Frank advised me not to send them anything unless they was prepared to pay for it. At times, these people do not get the meaning that facts cost money. Wall to Wall did not even bother to tell me about the last time that Fred Mason was on a TV documentary.

I think i will have to pay my TV licence to watch it? Its paid for.

Rant over from my point of view.

Regards
Stu.

 

Point taken. I stand by what I've mentioned.

Regards,
Stu.

 

I, too, watched the programme and enjoyed it. I had hoped that Gary's granddad might have been in the 46th Division Light Recovery unit.which my dad served in. In April 1944 he was 8th Army and 4th Division (673 Inf Tps Rec Unit REME) Most things I have read refer to the actual fighting. If I track down the official diaries will they be more specific about the recovery unit's work?

 

Again.

Yes. Get hold of Gary Tankard on this forum and he will source the War Diaries from the National Archives for you.

Regards

Frank

 

Thanks for that Frank. I shall do so. from Anna (I only used Again because any name I chose was already used and I kept thinking - Oh No, I've got to choose AGAIN!!

 

Fighting Footballers from We Have Ways of Making You Talk | Podbay
28min audio from 30th Jan 2020

"Gary Lineker is a special guest on the show as Al Murray and James Holland head to the National War Museum to discuss the Italian campaign and sportsmen at war. Gary’s grandfather was in the medical corps and found himself in the thick of battle between Salerno and Monte Cassino. The boys also discuss the footballers and cricketers who went to war. A Goalhanger Films Production Produced by Harry Lineker & Joey McCarthy Exec Producer: Tony Pastor"