Once a Warrior: Life Beyond the Uniform

In this episode, we are joined by Gillian Lyall, a former British Army nurse who served for 16 years in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, reaching the rank of Major. Raised in Northern Ireland and a member of the Queen’s University Officers’ Training Corps while studying at Queen’s University Belfast, Gillian went on to deploy on operations across several theatres, providing vital medical care in demanding operational environments.Her military career was ultimately cut short following a diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder, and the transition into civilian life brought its own challenges as she navigated life beyond the Armed Forces.Today, Gillian works as a registered nurse with Help for Heroes, supporting veterans and their families while drawing on both her professional expertise and her personal experience of service and recovery. In this conversation, Gillian shares her story of military service, transition, resilience and her continued commitment to supporting the veterans’ community.

In this episode, we hear the powerful story of Irish Guards veteran Robert “Rab” Hunter, who served for 10 years, including two tours of Iraq.
Rab was deployed during the initial invasion in 2003 and later returned on Operation TELIC 10, where his vehicle was struck by a devastating roadside bomb, one of the most dangerous threats faced by troops at the time. Surviving that moment marked the beginning of a lifelong emotional journey, as Rab has had to navigate survivor’s guilt and the lasting impact of that experience.
Today, Rab shares his story with honesty and courage, reflecting not only on his service, but on what came after.
Now driven by a new mission, he speaks about his ambition to establish a veterans hub in his hometown of Larne, a place of support, connection, and understanding for those who have served.
This is a story of survival, struggle, and finding purpose beyond the battlefield.

Welcome to the NI Veteran’s Commissioner Podcast, Once a Warrior: Life Beyond the Uniform.Today, we’re joined by Lieutenant Colonel Derek Plews VR, a former Army officer whose career spans journalism in Northern Ireland, work within the UK Civil Service, and multiple operational deployments overseas.A reservist who left the civil service to deploy to Afghanistan in 2006, Derek served during a pivotal and violent period of the campaign. He later completed tours in Iraq before going on to hold a number of senior roles within the Ministry of Defence.Since retiring in 2020, he has devoted his time to historical research, writing, and supporting local museum trusts.Derek is the author of A Brilliant Little Victory, a respected history of the 48th Division in the First World War. He joins us today to raise awareness of his latest book, Shamrocks Among the Poppies, a powerful and thought-provoking account of the siege of Musa Qal’eh in 2006, examining not only the fighting on the ground, but also the wider failures and consequences surrounding it.This episode explores the realities of conflict, the burden carried by those who serve, and the importance of preserving honest military history long after the uniform is hung up.

In this episode, we are joined by General the Lord Dannatt, former Chief of the General Staff and one of the most recognisable military leaders of his generation. Commissioned into the Green Howards in 1971, Lord Dannatt served for nearly four decades in the British Army, with operational experience in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, and overseeing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As Chief of the General Staff from 2006 to 2009, he led the Army during some of the most demanding years of modern military operations. Since retiring from the Army, he has continued his service in public life as a crossbench member of the House of Lords and remains a prominent advocate for the welfare of service personnel, veterans and their families.
In this conversation, Lord Dannatt known for his strong Christian faith, reflects on his military career, the leadership challenges of commanding the Army during wartime, and his ongoing work supporting the Armed Forces community.

This episode is one of resilience, recovery, and positivity.We’re joined by Andrew Steed, born and raised in East Belfast, and a former soldier with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards. Andrew served from 2009 until 2016, including a deployment on Operation HERRICK 13 in Afghanistan.In 2016, Andrew was medically discharged following two mild strokes, known as TIAs. During that process, he was told that activities he loved, such as hiking and swimming, would likely no longer be possible.Andrew refused to accept that as the final chapter.He went on to make a full recovery and, in August 2021, completed a remarkable physical and mental challenge, walking 600 miles in just 30 days. Today, Andrew works in a tailoring shop in Belfast, is preparing to launch his Project Positive campaign, and has a number of ambitious hiking events planned as he approaches 40.This episode is about mindset, adaptability, and proving that setbacks do not define the future. It’s also a reminder that life beyond the uniform can be purposeful, positive, and very well dressed.

Today, we’re joined by Tricia Robinson, a former Combat Medic who served in Afghanistan during Operation Herrick 10 in the summer of 2009, one of the most intense and deadly periods of the campaign, alongside 4 Rifles.In this episode, Tricia takes us behind the scenes of combat medicine, the realities of serving on the front line, and the profound challenges that follow when the battle ends and service life gives way to civilian life. This is an honest and deeply moving conversation about strength, survival, and what it really means to live beyond the uniform.

Today, we’re joined once again by UDR veteran Glen Espie.When Glen first appeared on the podcast, we only had time to explore the first IRA assassination attempt on his life.In this episode, he returns to tell the rest of the story - surviving a second attempt, and living with the consequences that followed.Glen also speaks openly about the courage it takes to share these experiences through his talks, The Terrorist Knocks Twice, and why telling the truth matters.This is a powerful and deeply moving conversation about survival, memory, and life beyond the uniform.
 

Today we feature Frank McCracken, Irish Guards and Royal Irish Regiment veteran, and currently serving on the committee of the Irish Guards Association in Northern Ireland. With decades of dedication to the veteran community, Frank is the quiet engine behind annual events, regimental support, and charity outreach. His work ensures that the brotherhood of service doesn’t end at discharge, but evolves into a lifelong network of care.

Today we meet Phillip 'Barney' Gillespie, a Royal Irish Veteran from Ballymena who lost a leg while serving in Afghanistan - but gained a new purpose. Now a respected cadet instructor, Barney mentors young people with courage and conviction, helping shape the next generation of service minded youth. His story is one of resilience, humour and refusing to let injury define legacy.

This is Once a Warrior: Life Beyond the Uniform, this episode is one you won’t forget.
Jay Millar served in the Royal Irish, but his toughest battles came after the uniform came off. Addiction, pain, and hitting rock bottom, only to rise again through faith, purpose, and an unexpected calling: cutting hair. Founder of Jay’s Barber Academy and champion of dignity for the homeless, Jay’s story is about redemption, generosity, and what it really means to come home.