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.