In Monty's Footsteps cover art

In Monty's Footsteps

In Monty's Footsteps

By: British Normandy Memorial
Listen for free

Summary

“To me, Monty was simply ‘Grandfather’. To many though he was a national hero.”



Henry Montgomery, grandson of Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, prepares for a 4,000-mile journey across Britain and Normandy uncovering dozens of Second World War stories.



In April and May 1944, with the detailed planning for Operation Overlord completed, General Montgomery, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Ground Forces, affectionately known as ‘Monty’, set about travelling the length and breadth of Britain. He met the troops, watched training exercises and visited factories. The purpose was to raise morale not just in the armed forces but in the country as a whole.



Inspired by his grandfather's journey, recorded in a series of diary entries, Henry embarks on a mission of his own. He uncovers and shares stories of men and women who contributed in so many different ways to the national collective effort to free Europe from tyranny.



‘In Monty’s Footsteps’ will raise funds to support the Memorial’s growing education programme, a cornerstone of the charity’s ongoing work. With developments in immersive technology and storytelling to engage the next generation, the focus is on helping young people understand not just what happened then, but why it matters today.



Six episodes published weekly from 1st May to 5th June 2026 will feature some of Henry's encounters.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British Normandy Memorial Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Women And The War

    Women And The War
    May 14 2026

    Henry Montgomery delves into the role of women during the war. He meets 102-year-old Ruth Barnwell at her home in South-West London. Ruth served as a Wren on land base HMS Quebec and, although she didn't know it at the time, many of the men stationed there were being trained for the D-Day Landings.



    He travels South West where Historian and Author Joanna Foat shares the stories she's collected over the years about the 'Lumberjills' serving with the Women's Timber Corps. These extraordinary women not only kept the country's essential timber supply running but influenced the perception of women and their place in society at the time.



    From the woods of Wiltshire, Henry makes his way North to Ryhope in North East England where he uncovers the realities of life for mothers and families within the local coal mining community.



    For information about the British Normandy Memorial: https://www.britishnormandymemorial.org/monty/



    To donate to the education programme ‘Operation Remembrance’: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/monty


    ‘In Monty’s Footsteps’ is produced by Snappin Turtle for the British Normandy Memorial.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • Football Boosts The War Effort

    Football Boosts The War Effort
    May 8 2026

    Inspired by his grandfather's diary entry of 22nd April 1944 - when he attended Scotland vs England at Hampden Park - Henry visits the Glasgow stadium to meet with the Curator of the Scottish Football Museum, Richard McBrearty. He learns about what football meant to players and supporters during the war years. He continues his journey uncovering unique and fascinating stories connected to football and the war. He meets D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan and two women whose fathers played in that famous 1944 match - Lesley Stephen, daughter of Scottish player James Stephen, and Jean Matthews Gough, daughter of legendary English footballer, Stanley Matthews.



    For information about the British Normandy Memorial: https://www.britishnormandymemorial.org/monty/


    To donate to the education programme ‘Operation Remembrance’: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/monty




    ‘In Monty’s Footsteps’ is produced by Snappin Turtle for the British Normandy Memorial.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • The Path To D-Day

    The Path To D-Day
    May 1 2026

    Henry Montgomery begins his 4,000 mile journey in Hammersmith, West London, at the site of St Paul’s School, the famous location of the D-Day planning meetings. He reflects on the events that took place 82 years ago to the day, his grandfather’s role in them, and why they are still relevant today.



    There, he meets his first guest Historian Tim Bouverie who recounts the complex series of events that led to the outbreak of war and how and why the Normandy Campaign unfolded in the way that it did.



    He travels to Plymouth, where he meets Alex Storr at the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre. She shares the incredible discoveries made thanks to archival research and why heritage preservation is critical to remembrance now and in the future.



    For information about the British Normandy Memorial: https://www.britishnormandymemorial.org/monty/


    To donate to the education programme ‘Operation Remembrance’: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/monty



    ‘In Monty’s Footsteps’ is produced by Snappin Turtle for the British Normandy Memorial.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c
All stars
Most relevant
A superb introduction to Henry Montgomery's introduction to his In Monty's Footsteps tour. Henry sets the scene of the beginnings of World War Two with a discussion with historian Tim Bouverie. His own research at the Imperial War Museum reading his grandfather's diaries and has a discussion with a researcher who read a WRNS diaries who was involved in preparing for D-Day. Highly recommended!

In Monty's Footsteps Episode 1

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.