Well done, Skywalker. This reading is a tour de force, an achievement, as it takes superior reading (and acting!) skills to pull off coherently. You breathed the life force into a technically intricate and overly descriptive piece - and you managed to take us for the flight and brought us back safely. Another mission accomplished, Mate!
Well said! The technical side was both written and performed perfectly! I loved how the main character went back to his basic training when he realised he was in trouble.
The Canadian tradition comes from a brilliant reading done by "Fireside" Al Maitland many years ago. His reading is re-broadcast year after year for old foggies like me who remember the truly golden age of Canadian public radio. I must say while Fireside Al has the benefit of high production value that can only come from something like the CBC, you're performance here is absolutely fantastic and includes a good deal of material edited from his. Great job and I'll be back to hear it again next Christmas.
This is very interesting. You learn a lot! My Aunt Trisha had her twin engine license. It’s a very engaging ghost story for for X-RFA men by a man with great storytelling experience. I KNOW this story was specifically written for his wife, but I will back this statement by saying that in 1979, the given time of story set in 1958, & the 1948 of our Sheppard, their were no women who had had access to this experience & understanding like the men folk who gave their service in the RAF. With that said, I personally found it a touching insight into the visceral mental & physical demands of what those young men went through during those years, but I KNOW from experience with a Vietnam Vet Helicopter Pilot this is only the very craft of KNOWING how to drive a plane in highly critical situations beyond the likes of anything I could even imagine. Our Veterans, men & women, give so much to protect & serve. (I only wish more money went to the foot soldiers returning home.) in general I am not a big military story buff, but this one brought me into the tale by the narrator with such grace that the military aspect was more “matter of fact” than the feeling of it being another form of advertising or as a “propaganda tool”, & I think this had a lot to do with the way you presented the narrating character. So, thank you for sharing this story. I am going to share this with my aunt. I think she might really enjoy this lovely, otherworldly Christmas story. 👨🏽✈️🛫🛩🛬
**possible spoiler** If I ever die a tragic or violent death and I become a ghost, I want to be the kind of badass spirit that saves people from tragedies and certain death! Great, as always, Tony! ❤
Laws, I'm becoming distracted now thinking about my Father and history as an R.A.F pilot during WWII. I've got his training books, he trained in Canada, the information was minimal 😱. I'm wondering if the first technique was what Dad used to land an aircraft with one engine working and the plane on fire at 22 years of age. Anyway! He obviously survived, as did his crew, and here I am, a Nana . Not that will be interested in my ramblings. Good Wishes Everyone for the New Year when it comes.
Wow that’s a good question - amazing that he was able to do that! All of your family, who were born after, and all of the family members of his crew, too smh. He couldn’t even have known how many people he was saving, some of them not even born, yet! Miracles do happen in real life. Merry Christmas to you and your family and happy New Years!
I absolutely love that. Never heard it before. WW2 airfields are one of my favourite explores, of derelict places and I could envisage the whole thing. Brought the tears to my eyes too. Fabulous stuff, thank you Tony. :)
That is indeed a great exploration, literally, & as a whole. There are several WWll yt explore folks that have great content. 🗣🕵🏾♂💥🪖⛑🫖😀📡🔝 👨✈🔭🏚👍🏾 🛫🛩🛰✈🛩🛬 🤍☺🤓🎉🔬🎩🍻
One of my favorites, and a beautiful reading. It just shows how, with talent, you can set a good ghost story anywhere... and you do not need a haunted house.
Amazing story. Every second amazing. Thank you so much for your reading. Such a beautiful performance. I hope one day I'll be able to support this channel 🎉
I was going to put on my hypnosis for sleep and then I saw this and it tempted me too much even though life is going back to normal tomorrow! Well as normal as MY life gets…… not very!🙉 Thank you Tony- I know it’s going to be good because it always is on this channel! Take care☯️💜☮️
This is an absolutely wonderful story, which I have somehow never managed to read. I didn't place him as an author until you said, "Day of the Jackal". Your accents, as always, are spot on.
Listened to this last night. What a wonderful, heartwarming story. I think it's possible my favourite of all the classic ghost stories. Beautiful read too. Thank you.
As an ex RAF Airman I can say with confidence the description of the characters was close enough for me to picture Officers I knew as well as the Steward. His description of the mess reminded me of staying for 3 nights at RAF Cardington in the old Mess whilst visiting the museum reserve storage that used to be held there in the early 1990's. Loved this telling of the story thank you Charlie 🇬🇧
Frederick’s Christmas Ghost Story, the Shepherd, is a truly beautifully crafted and thoroughly engaging story. The Reading of it was perfect. Thank you for bringing it to us. Terry Pulbrook. Ireland.
I listened to this a year ago, and couldn't get it off of my mind. But I had forgotten the title. I've gone crazy searching You Tube for it. Thank goodness I had written the title down on an old notepad I just found today. Between the fantastic writing and mesmerizing narration, I felt as if I was actually there experiencing the whole story. I couldn't get out of my mind the chilling emptiness and isolation of that dimly lit mess hall! Thank you for bringing this wonderful story to life. I'm looking forward to searching your channel for more offerings.
I simultaneously wished with all my heart to know with urgency every next detail of this story whilst wanting it to never end. I was on tenterhooks. Magical.
I’ve been listening to this for years. For all who enjoyed this, the experience is amplified by driving alone on a dark country road late at night. To a very minor degree it gives you the feeling that the Mosquito pilot feels, all alone in the cockpit.
That was a fantastic reading. If I can say it here - if you go to BBC Sounds and look for Between The Ears: The Shepherd, you'll find a very effective dramatised version with a choir singing carols and the sounds of a real Vampire jet engine! It's so great to hear the story with all the bits that aren't in the drama.
I can not thank you and Alison enough for bringing us this absolute gem of a tale, utterly superb and beautifully told by yourself (as always) I've heard of Forsyth but have never read/listened to any of his work, this marvellous introduction has definitely encouraged me to try one of his novels. Does anyone have a suggestion as to which book would be my best 1st read? I hope everyone had a good Christmas, wishing a new year of peace and prosperity to all 🌠❤🌠
Had to google the vampire…. One funny looking plane/jet. We have a popular museum of flight here. Boeing & all…. I’ve never been. Should probably go. Thanks as always!
@@ClassicGhost my gf and her dad are so nerdy they like to listen to the engine noises from different planes. 🤷 I like that Leslie Howard movie about the guy that invented the spit fire. Was he a casualty of the war? The actor. There is one of his last films where, in the end, he gives an awesome speech about why fascism would always fail. Wanted to sample it!
I love this story. I read it when I was a kid in Kentucky and then forgot it. I listen to it every Christmas now and share it with anyone I think will enjoy it.
Loved this story and your terrific narration that brought it to life. Of course ghost stories are my ultimate faves as well. I'm a wee bit tardy, but I hope you and yours had a very Merry Christmas indeed, Mr. Walker!
Since you "knew" it was a ghost story.. You could anticipate the plot.. But it hat that m critan feeling where you were learning somet... Either in a conscious strain or Jurassic pArk. The lure or hook is the knowledge. We bring the emotion if lead into the situation artistically
Thank you so much ! A wonderful story brilliantly read. My Father-in-law was a Squadron Leader & Pathfinder - I wish he was alive today, no doubt he would have known this story - I stumbled across this but did not know the subject was RAF (actually thought sheep as previous story had a shepherd in it) related & have never heard this story. Although a girl, I was always fascinated by John Crispin's "tales of daring do" Last night I actually came across his flight record & copy manuscript of his exploits during the war -. Strange coincidence hey !! Thanks again - I'll look into Forsythe as I enjoyed his descriptive writing & John Travolta's movie of this story - funny Their all Johns. !! Thanks again - hear you soonx
Wonderful! I read this one about 30 years ago from my father's library and have recently tried to find it again - couldn't remember the name of it though. What a wonderful listen. Thank you!
I volunteer at an aviation museum and I've been restoring a Vampire. I came across this story reading up on the aircraft and this version in particular looking for it read in an English accent. Thank you for making this, was very atmospheric listening to it walking under the stars tonight. Fantastic!
I’m ashamed to say I only became aware of this story via the new Disney adaptation. When I saw it was from a Frederik Forsyth novella I wanted to know more as I knew some changes would have been made to make the film. I was moved by the film but even more so by this wonderfully narrated version. I was in the RAF in the 1980s & recognised so much that was so vividly described. I wore the same gloves & helmet. I remember the feel of the cold skin and rivets of the aircraft during the walk around. I remember the smell of the mask and the cockpits of the aircraft, not Vampires alas, but they all had similar instrumentation & that tight, claustrophobic feel. This brought back memories of the night flying phase, picking out the towns and cities from the pattern of their lights, the blackness of the sea and rivers that sometimes glinted when they reflected the moonlight. Although it was peacetime we still managed to lose pilots, pilots we drank and laughed with in the all too familiar officers messes full of echo’s from the war & of course, ghosts. A wonderful story, so well read, one I have shared now many times. May we all have a shepherd in our lives to lead us home when we need one the most. Thank you & Merry Christmas 🎄
Just listen to this while crafting, I actually crying and wiping my tear stains glasses well done, reminds me of my grandfather who was in the RAF during WW2 I sadly never got to meet him.
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I served in the RAF, and later l met, and did some work for Freddie. What a truly nice and inspirational man. I never get tired of his stories.
Nice to hear this personal connection. It’s a good story
Well done, Skywalker. This reading is a tour de force, an achievement, as it takes superior reading (and acting!) skills to pull off coherently. You breathed the life force into a technically intricate and overly descriptive piece - and you managed to take us for the flight and brought us back safely. Another mission accomplished, Mate!
I really enjoyed being the control tower
I wouldn't agree that it's overly descriptive, I think his descriptions are amazingly evocative, it is superb engaging writing!
Well said! The technical side was both written and performed perfectly! I loved how the main character went back to his basic training when he realised he was in trouble.
Great Story! I was on the edge of my seat
Brilliant story, the best for some considerable time
Bittersweet. He's still out there saving his brothers.
Excellent. Really enjoyed this Christmas miracle
Absolutely. A wonderful story thank you
And so, I liked that story.....lol! Awesome job, Mr. Walker!
This was amazing and gave me chills!
The Canadian tradition comes from a brilliant reading done by "Fireside" Al Maitland many years ago. His reading is re-broadcast year after year for old foggies like me who remember the truly golden age of Canadian public radio. I must say while Fireside Al has the benefit of high production value that can only come from something like the CBC, you're performance here is absolutely fantastic and includes a good deal of material edited from his. Great job and I'll be back to hear it again next Christmas.
Superb story beautifully read. Thank you.
I was in that cockpit..I could see and hear and feel. Thank you for a wonderful rendition Tony!
Glad you enjoyed it
Wonderful! Merry Christmas!
Brilliant Story ,,, Brilliant Story Teller 👏
Cheers Alison as well!!!
Not many have the right voice over. This gentlemans voice is soothing
Top quality... brilliant story. 5+ stars
A fantastic story
A nice story...thx
That's a lovely reading. It brings back a lot of memories. I listened to it for years on CBC at Christmas.
This is very interesting. You learn a lot! My Aunt Trisha had her twin engine license. It’s a very engaging ghost story for for X-RFA men by a man with great storytelling experience.
I KNOW this story was specifically written for his wife, but I will back this statement by saying that in 1979, the given time of story set in 1958, & the 1948 of our Sheppard, their were no women who had had access to this experience & understanding like the men folk who gave their service in the RAF.
With that said, I personally found it a touching insight into the visceral mental & physical demands of what those young men went through during those years, but I KNOW from experience with a Vietnam Vet Helicopter Pilot this is only the very craft of KNOWING how to drive a plane in highly critical situations beyond the likes of anything I could even imagine.
Our Veterans, men & women, give so much to protect & serve. (I only wish more money went to the foot soldiers returning home.) in general I am not a big military story buff, but this one brought me into the tale by the narrator with such grace that the military aspect was more “matter of fact” than the feeling of it being another form of advertising or as a “propaganda tool”, & I think this had a lot to do with the way you presented the narrating character.
So, thank you for sharing this story. I am going to share this with my aunt. I think she might really enjoy this lovely, otherworldly Christmas story. 👨🏽✈️🛫🛩🛬
Wonderful story and reading! Thank you
Great story.
Thank you that was a great story
Wow. What a story, mate. Fantastic, Tony. Merry Christmas!
Wow ....... nicely done.
**possible spoiler**
If I ever die a tragic or violent death and I become a ghost, I want to be the kind of badass spirit that saves people from tragedies and certain death! Great, as always, Tony! ❤
A lovely story and a beautiful reading. Really fun with all the insights into technical details, which make a story doubly fascinating.
Really enjoyed that.
How true you are for I enjoyed and learned so much on aviation and felt like I was flying with the pilot.
Absolutely brilliant story! Held me spell bound, thank you. Merry Christmas.
What an awesome story - head and shoulders over what I’ve been listening to lately!❤
Excellent. Well read.
Laws, I'm becoming distracted now thinking about my Father and history as an R.A.F pilot during WWII.
I've got his training books, he trained in Canada, the information was minimal 😱.
I'm wondering if the first technique was what Dad used to land an aircraft with one engine working and the plane on fire at 22 years of age.
Anyway!
He obviously survived, as did his crew, and here I am, a Nana .
Not that will be interested in my ramblings.
Good Wishes Everyone for the New Year when it comes.
Wow that’s a good question - amazing that he was able to do that! All of your family, who were born after, and all of the family members of his crew, too smh. He couldn’t even have known how many people he was saving, some of them not even born, yet! Miracles do happen in real life. Merry Christmas to you and your family and happy New Years!
My dad was a Army Air Corps fighter pilot in WWII. I was interested in your ramblings.
I absolutely love that. Never heard it before. WW2 airfields are one of my favourite explores, of derelict places and I could envisage the whole thing. Brought the tears to my eyes too. Fabulous stuff, thank you Tony. :)
That is indeed a great exploration, literally, & as a whole. There are several WWll yt explore folks that have great content.
🗣🕵🏾♂💥🪖⛑🫖😀📡🔝
👨✈🔭🏚👍🏾
🛫🛩🛰✈🛩🛬
🤍☺🤓🎉🔬🎩🍻
I never tire of listening to this tale. The reader is terrific. Thanks again
superb - brought tears to my eyes - also thanks for the commentary at the end
I’m crying like a baby!!! What an awesome story, completely brilliantly read Tony!!!!!!!!❤️💥
One of my favorites, and a beautiful reading. It just shows how, with talent, you can set a good ghost story anywhere... and you do not need a haunted house.
This was great Tony!!!🎤
Thank you for another brilliant and beautiful reading!!🖤🖤
Amazing story. Every second amazing. Thank you so much for your reading. Such a beautiful performance. I hope one day I'll be able to support this channel 🎉
One of the best I've ever heard.
A superlative story in every way. Phenomenally good. I'm so glad I heard this uniquely suspenseful Christmas story.
I was going to put on my hypnosis for sleep and then I saw this and it tempted me too much even though life is going back to normal tomorrow! Well as normal as MY life gets…… not very!🙉 Thank you Tony- I know it’s going to be good because it always is on this channel! Take care☯️💜☮️
This is how Tony stole my attention away from my meditation sleep hypnosis!
I should have made a career in hypnosis
Beautifully read, great story. Thank you.
ditto ditto ditto this time around. Thank you for all of your hard work, Tony.
Much appreciated
Excellent, thank you
So good, Tony. I was in the plane w the pilot and my belly in knots! Such a great short story. Thank you!!
Love this story. An old boss of mine used to fly Vampires. He loved the aircraft and often yarned about it. Brilliantly read, many, many thanks.
Bravo!!you are a superb story teller!👏👏👏👏👏👏
+marilynbiondi you are very kind
Love this story. Great job reading it, too.
This is an absolutely wonderful story, which I have somehow never managed to read. I didn't place him as an author until you said, "Day of the Jackal". Your accents, as always, are spot on.
Read his short stories. They're great.
Well done! Bravo ! Loved this story. Going to re listen , it had me on the edge of my seat. thank you very much ,great reading! ♥️♥️♥️🇺🇸
Listened to this last night. What a wonderful, heartwarming story. I think it's possible my favourite of all the classic ghost stories. Beautiful read too. Thank you.
+@marjie012000 thanks for being here
That is an incredible tale! Love that it pays homage to the flyers who were so brave and selfless. It's really touching. Oh, and well read too!
I really enjoyed this story. Military folklore usually has some truth within it. I can attest to that; Not all things are easily explained away…
Very enjoyable
1 Damn good movie of the mind loved it from a guy who grew up on radio 👍👍
As an ex RAF Airman I can say with confidence the description of the characters was close enough for me to picture Officers I knew as well as the Steward.
His description of the mess reminded me of staying for 3 nights at RAF Cardington in the old Mess whilst visiting the museum reserve storage that used to be held there in the early 1990's.
Loved this telling of the story thank you
Charlie 🇬🇧
Wonderful story.Really enjoyed your excellent narration.
Thank you very much!
Absolutely Fantastic Story !
Once again your mesmerizing and captivating voice is what brings these stories to life. ❤
Thank you for a year of great tales and looking forward to the next! I appreciate you so much. Happy New Year All.
Frederick’s Christmas Ghost Story, the Shepherd, is a truly beautifully crafted and thoroughly engaging story. The Reading of it was perfect. Thank you for bringing it to us. Terry Pulbrook. Ireland.
My son recently got his pilots license. This was incredible and thrilling! Thanks Tony! The details were mesmerizing.
I listened to this a year ago, and couldn't get it off of my mind. But I had forgotten the title. I've gone crazy searching You Tube for it. Thank goodness I had written the title down on an old notepad I just found today.
Between the fantastic writing and mesmerizing narration, I felt as if I was actually there experiencing the whole story. I couldn't get out of my mind the chilling emptiness and isolation of that dimly lit mess hall!
Thank you for bringing this wonderful story to life. I'm looking forward to searching your channel for more offerings.
I simultaneously wished with all my heart to know with urgency every next detail of this story whilst wanting it to never end. I was on tenterhooks. Magical.
Well read! Yes, short stories translate more readily into cinema. Thank you.
Great story. Thank you so much ❤️
Never heard this story before, fantastic! Thanx very much and all the best for the New Year
Glad you enjoyed it!
Really enjoyed this. Thanks Tony. Beautifully narrated.
One of my favorite ghost stories, although you don't actually realize that it is a ghost story until the last line.
This is a great story. I appreciate your reading of it! Merry Christmas to you.
What a great listen. Love the story! Being a pilot myself, I felt all the feels of what he was going through.
Thank you!!
Loved it ❤
I’ve been listening to this for years. For all who enjoyed this, the experience is amplified by driving alone on a dark country road late at night. To a very minor degree it gives you the feeling that the Mosquito pilot feels, all alone in the cockpit.
+@equinoxproject2284 sounds very atmospheric and appealing
That was a fantastic reading. If I can say it here - if you go to BBC Sounds and look for Between The Ears: The Shepherd, you'll find a very effective dramatised version with a choir singing carols and the sounds of a real Vampire jet engine! It's so great to hear the story with all the bits that aren't in the drama.
I am hankering to do audio dramas, and I love them.
I can not thank you and Alison enough for bringing us this absolute gem of a tale, utterly superb and beautifully told by yourself (as always) I've heard of Forsyth but have never read/listened to any of his work, this marvellous introduction has definitely encouraged me to try one of his novels. Does anyone have a suggestion as to which book would be my best 1st read?
I hope everyone had a good Christmas, wishing a new year of peace and prosperity to all 🌠❤🌠
I wept when the shepherd appeared
Oh I LOVED!!!! This story. I’ll come back …looking for the Hill House pt7
Had to google the vampire…. One funny looking plane/jet. We have a popular museum of flight here. Boeing & all…. I’ve never been. Should probably go. Thanks as always!
The vampire was an odd one. When I was a kid I was really into military planes. I saw a vampire only once or twice
@@ClassicGhost my gf and her dad are so nerdy they like to listen to the engine noises from different planes. 🤷 I like that Leslie Howard movie about the guy that invented the spit fire. Was he a casualty of the war? The actor. There is one of his last films where, in the end, he gives an awesome speech about why fascism would always fail. Wanted to sample it!
I love this story. I read it when I was a kid in Kentucky and then forgot it. I listen to it every Christmas now and share it with anyone I think will enjoy it.
Superb
Loved this story and your terrific narration that brought it to life. Of course ghost stories are my ultimate faves as well. I'm a wee bit tardy, but I hope you and yours had a very Merry Christmas indeed, Mr. Walker!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent story Tony. Happy Christmas 🎄 thank you
I cant wait so long for him to land.....
Excellent!
Since you "knew" it was a ghost story.. You could anticipate the plot.. But it hat that m critan feeling where you were learning somet... Either in a conscious strain or Jurassic pArk. The lure or hook is the knowledge. We bring the emotion if lead into the situation artistically
Yes that’s right . Forsyth always teaches up something practical
Thank you so much ! A wonderful story brilliantly read.
My Father-in-law was a Squadron Leader & Pathfinder - I wish he was alive today, no doubt he would have known this story - I stumbled across this but did not know the subject was RAF (actually thought sheep as previous story had a shepherd in it) related & have never heard this story.
Although a girl, I was always fascinated by John Crispin's "tales of daring do" Last night I actually came across his flight record & copy manuscript of his exploits during the war -. Strange coincidence hey !!
Thanks again - I'll look into Forsythe as I enjoyed his descriptive writing & John Travolta's movie of this story - funny Their all Johns. !!
Thanks again - hear you soonx
I loved this one!
I think this is your best recording!
Remember reading this years ago , wonderful narration , thanks for this 👍🎄
thank you again. It's great to read your comments so thank you for doing them.
Wonderful! I read this one about 30 years ago from my father's library and have recently tried to find it again - couldn't remember the name of it though. What a wonderful listen. Thank you!
You are very welcome 🙏
Beautiful!
Thank you! Cheers!
Excellent! 👍
One of my favorites💖 thanks so much for your wonderful rendition as always. Still gives me goosebumps at the end there✨
I volunteer at an aviation museum and I've been restoring a Vampire. I came across this story reading up on the aircraft and this version in particular looking for it read in an English accent. Thank you for making this, was very atmospheric listening to it walking under the stars tonight. Fantastic!
i think it’s coming up to its anniversary on the channel
As a plane buff, this was fun! Thanks!
I’m ashamed to say I only became aware of this story via the new Disney adaptation. When I saw it was from a Frederik Forsyth novella I wanted to know more as I knew some changes would have been made to make the film.
I was moved by the film but even more so by this wonderfully narrated version. I was in the RAF in the 1980s & recognised so much that was so vividly described. I wore the same gloves & helmet. I remember the feel of the cold skin and rivets of the aircraft during the walk around. I remember the smell of the mask and the cockpits of the aircraft, not Vampires alas, but they all had similar instrumentation & that tight, claustrophobic feel.
This brought back memories of the night flying phase, picking out the towns and cities from the pattern of their lights, the blackness of the sea and rivers that sometimes glinted when they reflected the moonlight.
Although it was peacetime we still managed to lose pilots, pilots we drank and laughed with in the all too familiar officers messes full of echo’s from the war & of course, ghosts.
A wonderful story, so well read, one I have shared now many times.
May we all have a shepherd in our lives to lead us home when we need one the most.
Thank you & Merry Christmas 🎄
What a lovely comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the story. Merry Christmas !
Just listen to this while crafting, I actually crying and wiping my tear stains glasses well done, reminds me of my grandfather who was in the RAF during WW2 I sadly never got to meet him.
Great narration of a great story, also liked the Psychomania dialogue in the intro 👌
You knew it :)
This gave me BIG feels!