SONGS MY SON LOVED (series 2)

Songs My Son Loved is a documentary mini-series that I produced for BBC Radio 2 for BBC Music Day 2017.

Jeremy Vine met the mothers of four soldiers killed in conflict, who remember their sons through the music they loved. Each woman tells the story of her son’s life and death by exploring the songs that were significant to him. The programmes offer moving accounts of each mother’s love for her boy, who grew up but never had the chance to grow old.

You can listen to the programmes here and you can follow the hashtag #SongsMySonLoved on Twitter here.

SARAH Adams, mother of private james prosser

Sarah Adams' son, Private James Prosser, was killed aged 21 in Helmand province in Afghanistan on Sunday 27th September 2009. He was serving with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, and was described by his Platoon Commander, Lieutenant Tom Richards, as a ‘model infantry soldier’. 

Partially recorded on location at Cwmbran Boating Lake, Sarah described her son as a boy who loved Batman, and who surprised his friends and family when he decided against a career as a graphic designer and went into the army. 

Featuring the music of Bon Jovi, Eminem and Nelly, Sarah reflects on her memories of her son and his unexpected choice of music for his funeral.

JANICE PROCTER, MOTHER OF PRIVATE MICHAEL TENCH

Janice Procter's son, Private Michael Tench, was killed on the outskirts of Basra City in Iraq on Sunday 21st January 2007. He was serving with the 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry, and at just 18, he was one of the youngest soldiers to die in Iraq. He was described by his superiors as “an outstanding soldier”. 

Janice describes how Tenchy, as he was affectionately known, was an ‘army barmy’ boy. But his death has left her enraged by the political nature of the war he was killed in. Janice remembers being Michael’s kick-boxing sparring partner, and describes their close relationship: “Where Michael was I was, and where I was Michael was.”

Janice takes Jeremy to visit the memorial wall in Mowbray Park, Sunderland, which was built to remember the fallen soldiers of the north east of England. Michael’s name is one of the last names to be engraved on it.

Helen Gray, mother of Private Chris Gray

Helen Gray's son, Private Christopher Gray, was killed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on Friday 13th April 2007. He was serving with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, when he was shot by a Taliban fighter just three weeks into his first tour of duty, and just eight months after he joined the Army.

Helen recalls how Chris was always a keen online gamer. She would watch him playing army games on his X-Box, and remind him that in real-life, there was no second chance when shots are fired. Featuring an illicit visit to Ratby Sports Club, Helen reflects on Chris’ life with the music of Feeder, Snow Patrol and the Halo soundtrack.

BRIDIE Spicer, mother of Private leon spicer

Bridie Spicer's son, Private Leon Spicer,  was killed in Maysaan province, Iraq on Saturday 16th July 2005. He was serving with 1st Battalion The Staffordshire Regiment in Al Amarah in Iraq, having overcome a serious leg injury that could have ruined his career.  He was killed, alongside two colleagues, when the Land Rover they were travelling in was hit by a roadside bomb.

Bridie remembers a boy who was an enthusiastic altar server at his local church, and how he went on to earn the nickname ‘the Birdman of Tamworth’. She fondly remembers the times they spent talking in the early hours, when Leon would return from a night out and insist she have a cup of tea with him.

The programme features a version of ‘Homes of Donegal’ by Daniel O’Donnell, which was especially recorded for Bridie. It also includes music from the Scissor Sisters, Elvis, and the Stone Roses.