Love Stephen: A World War II Love Story

By Ben Smith

My grandfather, Stephen Russell, joined The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland and joined the Second World War in 1939 aged just 23. During the war he wrote hundreds of letters home to his parents and a young woman who would become the love of his life Ailsa, my grandmother.

'Love Stephen' is an episodic podcast told through letters Stephen sent home from 1939 to 1945 which tells the story of a love affair that survived against all the odds.

If you enjoy the show, please back the project at gofundme.com/lovestephenpodcast

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Homesick and the end in sight

Love Stephen: A World War II Love StoryOct 31, 2021

00:00

19:48

Homesick and the end in sight

Episode 6, the final episode. Hear Stephens last known letters home, written from January 1st 1945 to 24th March 1945.

Oct 31, 202119:48

Post, parcels and gifts

In this penultimate episode of Love Stephen, you'll hear Stephens letters home dated from 10th April 1944 to 26th December 1944.

Jul 15, 202115:05

Love grows

In this episode you'll hear how Stephen's love for Ailsa grows in letters written between 20th February 1943 to 24th October 1943.

If you're enjoying my grandparents' love story, please back the project today at gofundme.com/lovestephenpodcast and with your help we can bring a unique story of one man’s war and love, to life. Thank you for listening. Ben

Apr 08, 202115:09

Wounded in action and captured

In episode three of 'Love Stephen' you'll hear letters from June 14th 1940 to December 10th 1942. Listen as Stephen talks about being shot and wounded, being shifted around various POW camps and his mushy love letters to Alisa. If you're enjoying my grandparents war torn love story, please back the project today at gofundme.com/lovestephenpodcast and with your help we can bring ‘Love Stephen’, a unique story of one man’s war and love, to life. Thank you for listening. Ben

Feb 05, 202117:15

Life, leave and back to war

Episode two of 'Love Stephen' features letters written from January 21st 1940 to June 1st 1940. We hear from Stephen as he excitedly goes on leave, then heads back to war, before being captured by the enemy.

If you're enjoying my grandparents war torn love story, please back the project today at gofundme.com/lovestephenpodcast and with your help we can bring ‘Love Stephen’, a unique story of one man’s war and love, to life.
Thank you for listening.
Ben

Dec 04, 202018:46

A young man goes to a war that will change his life forever

Welcome to episode one of 'Love Stephen', featuring letters written from October 4th 1939 to January 10th 1940.

As war breaks out in Europe, Stephen and his Black Watch battalion join the allied effort and we hear about the mundaneness of war, Stephens meeting with the Queen and his thirst for battle after encountering the enemy for the fist time on the front line.

With the generous help of some friends - Dan and Nick at Smith and Western for the sound design and recording, mixing and mastering the show, actor Rupert Degas who plays Stephen, Ben Alden for designing the artwork, Newman Sorrenson and Rob Spencer for their help with the film, and my parents, Chris and Lucy, we've created this episode, but I need help with production costs to complete the rest of the season, which runs to six episodes.

So, if you like this episode and want to hear more, please back the project by visiting gofundme.com/lovestephenpodcast, and with your help we can bring ‘Love Stephen’, a unique story of war and love, to life.

Thank you, I really appreciate the support.

Ben

Oct 23, 202025:10