Lord Richards of Herstmonceux
Kirsty Young talks to Lord Richards of Herstmonceux, former Chief of the Defence Staff.
Lord Richards of Herstmonceux, former Chief of the Defence Staff, is interviewed by Kirsty Young for Desert Island Discs.
He was a soldier for 42 years, rising through the ranks to the very top becoming the principal military advisor to government. Shrewd, swashbuckling and outspoken, he is now retired from one of the most successful military careers of modern times: so illustrious he's been knighted twice.
The campaigns he led in East Timor, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan are well documented and most recently his counsel against military intervention in both Libya and Syria helped guide the Government through the most complex of international strategic defence decision-making.
He is possibly less well known for his private passions - tennis, skiing, sailing and the action man credentials must surely be further boosted by the fact that he once spent an evening as Joan Collin's bodyguard. He's also partial to a spot of karaoke.
Born in Egypt into a military family he grew up with some understanding of the very particular strain that comes with a life in the forces. Just as well because in 35 years of marriage he and his wife have moved home 29 times.
He says: "I see myself as a moral soldier. I do not associate the military with wars and bloodshed in the narrow sense. I associate the military with doing good, bringing down tyrants, with releasing people's ambitions for their children."
Producer: Cathy Drysdale.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Next
Clip
-
Lord Richards: 'Your clothes rot off you in the jungle'
Duration: 01:23
Music Played
-
Elvis Presley
It's Now or Never
- Always on My Mind.
- EMI.
-
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Part of Act 2 from Swan Lake
Performer: London Symphony Orchestra. Performer: AndrΓ© Previn.- Swan Lake/Tchaikovsky.
- EMI.
-
The Men's Chorus
There is Nothin' Like A Dame from South Pacific
- South Pacific.
- Naxos.
-
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
Highland Cathedral
- Fame and Renown.
- Bandleader.
-
Castaway's Favourite
-
Peter Penfold & Choir of children from the Sierra Leone Milton Margai School for the Blind
My West African Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
- My West African Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.
- Unknown..
-
-
Michael Ball
Empty Chairs and Empty Tables
- Les Miserables Β– Original London Cast.
- First Night.
-
John Denver
Leaving On a Jet Plane
- SongΒ’s Best Friend.
- RCA.
-
Giacomo Puccini
O Soave Fanciulla from Puccini's La Boheme
Performer: Maria Callas. Performer: Giuseppe Di Stefano. Performer: Orchestra of La Scala, Milan. Performer: Antonino Votto.- Opera Aria Duets.
- EMI.
-
Book Choice
-
The complete works - Patrick O'Brian
Luxury Choice
-
Sailcloth
-
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Kirsty Young |
Interviewed Guest | David Richards |
Producer | Cathy Drysdale |
Broadcasts
- Sun 9 Mar 2014 11:15Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Fri 14 Mar 2014 09:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Featured in...
Archive 2011-2015—Desert Island Discs
Guests are invited to choose the eight records they would take to a desert island.
Most Listened to Desert Island Discs of 2014—Desert Island Discs
A collection of the most listened to Desert Island Discs on iPlayer Radio from 2014.
Listen to over 2,000 programmes
Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.
Articles
Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.
Podcast
-
Desert Island Discs
Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.