Soldier Soldier

Last updated

Soldier Soldier
Soldier soldier.jpg
Genre Military drama
Created by Lucy Gannon
Starring Robson Green
Jerome Flynn
Gary Love
Rosie Rowell
Holly Aird
Annabelle Apsion
Ben Nealon
Theme music composer Jim Parker
Opening theme"Soldier Soldier"
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series7
No. of episodes82
Production
Executive producers Ted Childs (Series 1–5)
Jonathan Powell (Series 6–7)
Running time50 minutes
Production company Central Independent Television
Original release
Network ITV
Release10 June 1991 (1991-06-10) 
9 December 1997 (1997-12-09)

Soldier Soldier is a British television drama series. Created by Lucy Gannon, produced by Central Television and broadcast on the ITV network, it ran for a total of seven series and 82 episodes from 10 June 1991 to 9 December 1997. It featured the daily lives of a group of soldiers in 'B' Company, 1st Battalion The King's Fusiliers, a fictional British Army infantry regiment loosely based on the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. [1] The title comes from a traditional song of the same name ("Soldier, soldier won't you marry me, with your musket, fife and drum?"), an instrumental version of which was used as its theme music.

Contents

Synopsis

Set in the immediate aftermath of the Cold War, it is a dramatisation of army life in the early to mid-1990s, when the British Army was undergoing significant change. This is perhaps best demonstrated during the third series, around 1994, when a significant number of real regiments were forced into amalgamations with one another due to downsizing of the army. Within the world of Soldier Soldier, the King's Fusiliers are forced to amalgamate with the Cumbrian Regiment, another fictional regiment, becoming the King's Own Fusiliers. At the time Soldier Soldier was broadcast, the fatality rate was low, with most casualties due to training accidents and suicides. The military as a whole was assigned to performing more peacekeeping missions than actually doing any fighting. As a consequence, the show served well to portray the army, despite the domestic problems that could occur, in a fairly good light.

Production

Although many well known and not so well known actors appeared in Soldier Soldier over the period it was broadcast, perhaps the best known are Robson Green and Jerome Flynn, who portrayed Fusilier Dave Tucker and Sergeant Paddy Garvey respectively. It was their performance of "Unchained Melody" in an episode of the 4th series that propelled them to stardom, giving them several number one songs and a best selling album. [2] At the end of the fifth series in 1995, both actors left the show. [3] After a decline in viewing figures (following their departure), 1997 saw the decision to end the drama after seven series.

TV presenter Chris Kelly wrote and produced some episodes of the series. [4]

Regular cast

Military personnel

Officers

Warrant officers

Non-commissioned officers (NCOs)

Fusiliers

Attached arms

Civilians

Episodes

Series 1

1991. Following a six-month tour in Northern Ireland, the King's Fusiliers return to duty at their Midlands headquarters.

No.EpisodeDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"All the King's Men"Laurence MoodyLucy Gannon10 June 1991 (1991-06-10)
2"Fun and Games"Laurence MoodyLucy Gannon17 June 1991 (1991-06-17)
3"Dirty Work"Zelda BarronLucy Gannon24 June 1991 (1991-06-24)
4"Fighting Spirit"Laurence MoodyGarry Lyons1 July 1991 (1991-07-01)
5"Battlefields"Laurence MoodyLucy Gannon8 July 1991 (1991-07-08)
6"Loyal to the Corps"Laurence MoodyJane Hollowood15 July 1991 (1991-07-15)
7"Flying Colours" Laurence MoodyLucy Gannon22 July 1991 (1991-07-22)

Series 2

Series 2, 1992, was set in Hong Kong, apart from the first two episodes.

No.EpisodeDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"A Man's Life"Laurence MoodyLucy Gannon21 September 1992 (1992-09-21)
2"Something Old, Something New"Laurence MoodyLucy Gannon28 September 1992 (1992-09-28)
3"A Touch of the Sun"Laurence MoodyJane Hollowood5 October 1992 (1992-10-05)
4"Lifelines"Nick HammLucy Gannon12 October 1992 (1992-10-12)
5"Saving Face"Nick HammJack Chaney19 October 1992 (1992-10-19)
6"Lost and Found"Laurence MoodyBilly Hamon26 October 1992 (1992-10-26)
7"The Last Post"Nick HammLucy Gannon2 November 1992 (1992-11-02)

Series 3

Series 3, 1993 was set in New Zealand & Germany.

No.EpisodeDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Shifting Sands"Anthony Garner Heidi Thomas, from an idea by Chris Kelly7 September 1993 (1993-09-07)
2"Live Fire"Ian MuneHeidi Thomas14 September 1993 (1993-09-14)
3"Base Details"Anthony GarnerVictoria Taylor21 September 1993 (1993-09-21)
4"Fall Out"Sarah HellingsJulian Jones28 September 1993 (1993-09-28)
5"Disintegration"Suri KrishnammaPeter Barwood5 October 1993 (1993-10-05)
6"Hide and Seek"Rodney BennettBill Gallagher12 October 1993 (1993-10-12)
7"Trouble and Strife"Anthony GarnerPeter Barwood19 October 1993 (1993-10-19)
8"Hard Knocks"Jan SargentBilly Hamon26 October 1993 (1993-10-26)
9"Camouflage"Anthony GarnerRoy MacGregor2 November 1993 (1993-11-02)
10"Staying Together"Rodney BennettSam Snape9 November 1993 (1993-11-09)
11"Dutch Courage"Michael BrayshawJesse Carr Martindale16 November 1993 (1993-11-16)
12"Stand by Me"Michael BrayshawHeidi Thomas23 November 1993 (1993-11-23)
13"Leaving"Anthony GarnerRoy MacGregor30 November 1993 (1993-11-30)

Series 4

Series 4, 1994, was set in Cyprus, Germany and the UK.

No.EpisodeDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Stormy Weather"Rodney BennettHeidi Thomas20 September 1994 (1994-09-20)
2"Away Games"Rodney BennettMichael Jenner27 September 1994 (1994-09-27)
3"Damage"Michael BrayshawHeidi Thomas4 October 1994 (1994-10-04)
4"Second Sight"Anthony GarnerPeter Barwood11 October 1994 (1994-10-11)
5"Over the Top"Anthony GarnerLen Collin18 October 1994 (1994-10-18)
6"Proud Man"Anthony GarnerLen Collin25 October 1994 (1994-10-25)
7"Further Education"Michael BrayshawPeter Barwood1 November 1994 (1994-11-01)
8"Baby Love"Anthony GarnerMichael Jenner8 November 1994 (1994-11-08)
9"Band of Gold"Graham MooreHeidi Thomas15 November 1994 (1994-11-15)
10"Going Back"Anthony GarnerPeter Barwood22 November 1994 (1994-11-22)
11"Poles Apart"Michael BrayshawMichael Jenner29 November 1994 (1994-11-29)
12"Bombshell"Michael BrayshawChris Ould6 December 1994 (1994-12-06)
13"Changing the Guard"Graham MoorePeter Barwood13 December 1994 (1994-12-13)

Series 5

Series 5, 1995 was set in Australia, UK & South Africa.

No.EpisodeDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"For Better, For Worse"Bruce MacDonaldPeter Barwood5 September 1995 (1995-09-05)
2"Second Chances"Bruce MacDonaldPeter Barwood12 September 1995 (1995-09-12)
3"Love Not Money"Paul BrownJo O'Keefe19 September 1995 (1995-09-19)
4"Bushed"Ken HannamPeter Barwood26 September 1995 (1995-09-26)
5"Far Away"Ken HannamAnn Brown3 October 1995 (1995-10-03)
6"Ill Wind"Ken HannamAnn Brown10 October 1995 (1995-10-10)
7"Sweet Revenge"Geoff HarrisJo O'Keefe17 October 1995 (1995-10-17)
8"The Army Game"Graham MooreShaun Prendergast24 October 1995 (1995-10-24)
9"Love and War"Michael Brayshaw Chris Lang 31 October 1995 (1995-10-31)
10"Leaving"Michael BrayshawChris Lang7 November 1995 (1995-11-07)
11"Hard Lessons"Graham MooreJames Clare14 November 1995 (1995-11-14)
12"Stick Together"Bruce MacDonaldJo O'Keefe21 November 1995 (1995-11-21)
13"Under the Sun"Alan GrintPeter Barwood28 November 1995 (1995-11-28)
14"Baptism of Fire"Alan GrintPeter Barwood5 December 1995 (1995-12-05)
15"Twist of Fate"Alan GrintPeter Barwood12 December 1995 (1995-12-12)

Series 6

Series 6, 1996, was set in the UK, except the penultimate episode which was set on a fictional island in the South Atlantic.

No.EpisodeDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"River Deep"Patrick LauChris Lang3 September 1996 (1996-09-03)
2"Divided Loyalties"Paul BrownAnn Brown10 September 1996 (1996-09-10)
3"All for One"Michael BrayshawSimon Andrew Stirling17 September 1996 (1996-09-17)
4"Walking on Air"Catherine MorsheadPeter Barwood24 September 1996 (1996-09-24)
5"Under the Gooseberry Bush"Michael BrayshawLen Collin1 October 1996 (1996-10-01)
6"Flash Point"Paul BrownPeter Barwood8 October 1996 (1996-10-08)
7"Money For Nothing"Graham MooreChris Lang15 October 1996 (1996-10-15)
8"Dear Joe"Douglas MackinnonJames Quirk22 October 1996 (1996-10-22)
9"Asking for it?"Michael BrayshawLen Collin29 October 1996 (1996-10-29)
10"Delayed Action"Graham MooreTed Childs5 November 1996 (1996-11-05)
11"Beast"Paul BrownPeter Barwood12 November 1996 (1996-11-12)
12"Fall for Love"Douglas MackinnonJames Quirk19 November 1996 (1996-11-19)
13"War Path"Michael BrayshawMark Holloway26 November 1996 (1996-11-26)
14"Deliver us from Evil"Douglas MackinnonChris Lang3 December 1996 (1996-12-03)
15"Hell and High Water"Paul BrownLen Collin10 December 1996 (1996-12-10)

Series 7

Series 7, 1997, was set in the UK, except episode 10 which was set in Africa.

No.EpisodeDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Divided We Fall"Paul BrownJames Quirk23 September 1997 (1997-09-23)
2"Things Can Only Get Better!"Graham MooreNicholas Martin30 September 1997 (1997-09-30)
3"Line of Departure"Paul BrownBernadette Davis7 October 1997 (1997-10-07)
4"Under Fire"Christopher KingNicholas Martin14 October 1997 (1997-10-14)
5"Friends and Lovers"Christopher KingRichard McBrien21 October 1997 (1997-10-21)
6"How Was it for You?"Graham MooreNicholas Martin28 October 1997 (1997-10-28)
7"The Road to Damascus"Christopher KingLen Collin4 November 1997 (1997-11-04)
8"Out"Crispin ReeceMark Holloway11 November 1997 (1997-11-11)
9"Fit to Explode"Graham MooreShaun Prendergast18 November 1997 (1997-11-18)
10"Chain of Command"Roger TuckerRob Gittins25 November 1997 (1997-11-25)
11"Sounds of War"Graham MooreBilly Hamon2 December 1997 (1997-12-02)
12"No Pain, No Gain!"Paul BrownNicholas Martin9 December 1997 (1997-12-09)

Regiment

The King's Own Fusiliers
King'sfusiliers.JPG
Cap badge of the King's Own Fusiliers
Active1993-
CountryUnited Kingdom
BranchArmy
TypeLine Infantry
Role Air Assault Infantry
(at end of series)
SizeOne battalion
Part of King's Division
Garrison/HQ1st Battalion - Aldershot
(at end of series)
Motto(s)Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense (Shamed Be He Who Thinks Ill Of It)
Insignia
HackleBlue over White
From King's Fusiliers

The King's Own Fusiliers, originally the King's Fusiliers, is the infantry regiment portrayed in the series. Like all fusilier regiments, both the "King's" and the "King's Own" wear a hackle in its head-dress; this is coloured dark blue over white. During the third series of Soldier Soldier, which took place during the Options for Change military reforms, the King's Fusiliers was forced to amalgamate with another regiment, "The Cumbrians (Duke of Rutland's Own)", mimicking the real life amalgamation of the King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) and the Cumbrian based Border Regiment in 1959 to form the King's Own Royal Border Regiment.

During negotiations with the commanding officer of the other regiment to be merged (over which customs and traditions should be carried over to the new regiment), attempts were made by the Cumbrians to keep the new regiment as an ordinary infantry regiment, rather than a fusilier regiment (which would also see the loss of the King's hackle). However, research by the regimental commander of the King's Fusiliers (Lt. Col. Osbourne) found that, during the Cumbrians [fictional] service in the Crimea, the Cumbrians had worn the hackle and served as fusiliers for 6 months in honour of the fusiliers that had served alongside them. As a result, the new regiment was named "The King's Own Fusiliers".

The cap badge of the King's Own Fusiliers features the lion surmounting the crown, which is the recognised symbol of the British Army, within the band of the Order of the Garter. Surmounting the garter band is the traditional flame that indicates a fusilier regiment. (Coincidentally, in series 1 episode 2 of Red Cap, the Royal Cambrian Fusiliers wore the same cap badge and hackle as the King's Own Fusiliers).

Role

As an ordinary infantry battalion, the King's Fusiliers/King's Own Fusiliers was in the arms plot rotation, and thus participated in a number of different roles:

During its time in Windsor, in addition to other duties, the King's Own Fusiliers provided the guard at Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and Windsor Castle.

Recruiting area

As the King's Fusiliers / King's Own Fusiliers has no geographical location in its name, it can only be speculated what recruiting area it represents. In early episodes, the senior officers discuss the possibility of being amalgamated with other regiments from the Midlands. During Series 1, the possibility of merging or disbanding regiments is discussed, and at that point, the Cumbrians and the Rutlands are expected to be amalgamated. During the final episode of series 2, the regiment's commanding officer announces orders for the King's Fusiliers to form a new 'Midlands Regiment' along with the Cumbrians and the Rutlands (though in later episodes, the other regiment to be merged is referred to as The Cumbrians (Duke of Rutland's Own).

Other anecdotal references in the series also point to the regiment's location being in the Midlands include the use of a Midlands commercial radio station being played by various characters (BRMB) and local (specifically Birmingham) telephone area code on signage and vehicles. However, given that the series was made in the Midlands by the 'Central Films' division of Central Television, these local references can be expected.

Commanding officers

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Welch Fusiliers</span> Line infantry regiment of the British Army

The Royal Welch Fusiliers (Welsh: Ffiwsilwyr Brenhinol Cymreig) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, and part of the Prince of Wales' Division, that was founded in 1689; shortly after the Glorious Revolution. In 1702, it was designated a fusilier regiment and became the Welch Regiment of Fusiliers; the prefix "Royal" was added in 1713, then confirmed in 1714 when George I named it the Prince of Wales's Own Royal Regiment of Welsh Fusiliers. In 1751, after reforms that standardised the naming and numbering of regiments, it became the 23rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Welsh Fuzileers). In 1881, the final title of the regiment was adopted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fusilier</span> Legacy name for certain soldiers

Fusilier is a name given to various kinds of soldiers; its meaning depends on the historical context. While fusilier is derived from the 17th-century French word fusil – meaning a type of flintlock musket – the term has been used in contrasting ways in different countries and at different times, including soldiers guarding artillery, various elite units, ordinary line infantry and other uses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lancashire Fusiliers</span> Line infantry regiment of the British Army 1688–1968

The Lancashire Fusiliers was a line infantry regiment of the British Army that saw distinguished service through many years and wars, including the Second Boer War, the First and Second World Wars, and had many different titles throughout its 280 years of existence. In 1968 the regiment was amalgamated with the other regiments of the Fusilier Brigade – the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers and the Royal Fusiliers – to form the current Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

The hackle is a clipped plume or short spray of coloured feathers that is attached to a military headdress, with different colours being associated with particular regiments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Highland Fusiliers</span> Scottish infantry battalion

The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Irish Regiment (1992)</span> Infantry regiment of the British Army

The Royal Irish Regiment is an infantry regiment of the British Army. The regiment was founded in 1992 through the amalgamation of the Royal Irish Rangers and the Ulster Defence Regiment. Their oldest predecessor, the 27th Regiment of Foot, was first raised in June 1689 to fight in the Williamite War in Ireland. Other notable regiments in their lineage include the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Royal Irish Rifles and the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment</span> Military unit

The Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment is the parent administrative regiment and corps of regular and reserve infantry battalions in the New Zealand Army. It was originally formed in 1947 with a singular Regular regiment and multiple reserve regiments. Over time, the regiments were turned into battalions, the reserve units amalgamated and more regular units raised and disbanded. Currently, the Regiment currently consists of two regular and three reserve battalions. Throughout its existence, units raised in this regiment have served and deployed on operations in Malaya, Vietnam, Borneo and various United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The Royal Irish Rangers was a regular infantry regiment of the British Army with a relatively short existence, formed in 1968 and later merged with the Ulster Defence Regiment in 1992 to form the Royal Irish Regiment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Warwickshire Regiment</span> Military unit

The Royal Warwickshire Regiment, previously titled the 6th Regiment of Foot, was a line infantry regiment of the British Army in continuous existence for 283 years. The regiment saw service in many conflicts and wars, including the Second Boer War and both the First and Second World Wars. On 1 May 1963, the regiment was re-titled, for the final time, as the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers and became part of the Fusilier Brigade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Dublin Fusiliers</span> Irish infantry regiment of the British Army

The Royal Dublin Fusiliers was an infantry regiment of the British Army created in 1881 and disbanded in 1922. It was one of eight 'Irish' regiments of the army which were raised and garrisoned in Ireland, with the regiment's home depot being located in Naas. The regiment was created via the amalgamation of the Royal Bombay Fusiliers and Royal Madras Fusiliers, two army regiments stationed in India, with militia units from Dublin and Kildare as part of the Childers Reforms. Both battalions of the regiment served in the Second Boer War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sherbrooke Hussars</span> Canadian military unit

The Sherbrooke Hussars is a Primary Reserve armoured regiment of the Canadian Forces and perpetuates the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment of the Second World War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princess Louise Fusiliers</span> Infantry regiment of the Canadian Army reserve

The Princess Louise Fusiliers is a Primary Reserve light infantry regiment of the Canadian Armed Forces. Formed as 66th The Halifax Battalion of Infantry and then named 66th Battalion after Princess Louise in 1879, it took its present name in May 1920. The 6th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC amalgamated with the regiment in 1936

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers</span> Military unit

The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was an Irish line infantry regiment of the British Army in existence from 1881 until 1968. The regiment was formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot and the 108th Regiment of Foot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Regiment of Scotland</span> Infantry regiment of the British Army

The Royal Regiment of Scotland is the senior and only current Scottish line infantry regiment of the British Army Infantry. It consists of three regular and two reserve battalions, plus an incremental company, each formerly an individual regiment. However, three regular battalions maintain their former regimental pipes and drums to carry on the traditions of their antecedent regiments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment</span> Military unit

The Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Sri Lankan Army. Formed on 22 March 1988, it is named after Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa. The regiment consists of 17 regular battalions, 9 volunteer battalions and a headquarters battalion. Since 1993, its Regimental Centre is located at the Boyagane Camp, Kurunegala.

The 1940 Birthday Honours were appointments by King George VI to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of the British Empire. The appointments were made to celebrate the official birthday of The King, and were published on 9 July 1940.

The 1915 Birthday Honours were appointments by King George V to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of the British Empire. The appointments were made to celebrate the official birthday of The King, and were published in The London Gazette and in The Times on 3 June 1915.

The 1917 Birthday Honours were appointments by King George V to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of the British Empire. The appointments were made to celebrate the official birthday of The King, and were published on 4 June and 19 June.

The 1917 New Year Honours were appointments by King George V to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of the British Empire. The appointments were published in several editions of The London Gazette in January and February.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">8th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Ranger Regiment</span> Military unit

The 8th Battalion (Parachute), Royal Ranger Regiment (Malay: Batalion ke-8 Rejimen Renjer Diraja (Para)), better known as the 8 RRD or 8 RRD (Para) – abbreviation from its local name, is a battalion-sized airborne infantry from the Royal Ranger Regiment of the Malaysian Army. On 10 October 1994 the 8 RRD became part of the 10th Parachute Brigade. The 8 RRD is the first infantry unit in the Malaysian Army transformed from a conventional to an airborne unit.

References

  1. "Soldier Soldier" . Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  2. "Robson & Jerome" . Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  3. "Soldier Soldier comes to the Drama channel" . Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  4. "Chris Kelly". IMDb.com. Retrieved 20 January 2018.