Reg Chard, the last Kokoda veteran, has passed away at age 102.
This is a re-release of the 2022 podcast, with a tribute from host Alex Lloyd at the start. The original video podcast is still available on YouTube. Rest in peace, Reg.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Reg Chard was an infantryman in the Australian Army in the Second World War. He fought in the jungle against the Japanese in New Guinea along the Kokoda Trail in 1942 for months. Since 2011, Reg has been a volunteer guide at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway in Sydney. In 2022, the 98-year-old celebrates the release of his biography, THE DIGGER OF KOKODA by Daniel Lane. Reg spoke with Alex Lloyd about his military service, his experiences in New Guinea and how Kokoda still lives with him today. This conversation can be watched as a video podcast on YouTube or heard through all podcast apps.
Closing music by The Externals.
To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on X and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.
2 Feb 2026
#155 Tim Aplin
2nd Commando Regiment veterans, friends and family share their memories of the late Tim Aplin.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Private Timothy Aplin was serving with the Special Operations Task Group when he tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash, on Monday 21 June 2010. Scott Palmer, Ben Chuck and a US serviceman also lost their lives in the crash, and many more were grievously injured.
The thirty-eight-year-old Tim was from the Sydney-based 2nd Commando Regiment.
Tim Aplin has been mentioned before on this podcast by his fellow Commandos who remember him fondly. In this special tribute episode we remember one of our fallen. This podcast contains stories, reflections and tributes from Tim’s family, friends and brothers-in-arms.
The veterans interviewed includes:
John Ferrinda
Malcolm Goodwin
Michael Kruger
Anthony McKay
Dean Parkinson
Ant Plater
Damien Silva
Mick Slattery
Gary Wilson
Adam Wyatt
As well as his friends Susie and Tim, his cousins Helen and Stuart, and his mother, Margaret.
To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.
3 Nov 2025
The Last Battle with Aaron Patrick
Alex Lloyd speaks with author Aaron Patrick about The Last Battle, his new book.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. A new book by Aaron Patrick details the actions in the Battle of Shah Wali Kot, from Chenartu to the village of Tizak. In conversation with his publisher, podcast host Alex Lloyd, Aaron details the heroism of the 2nd Commando Regiment and the incredible odds overcome by the Special Air Service Regiment.
The book is out now available in print, ebook and audiobook. Read more about it here.
To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
290,655
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.6 / 5
12 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
78 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 61 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
67
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
51
Contact Life on the Line
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