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A veteran interview with

Shani Hall

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About Shani Hall

Having been diagnosed with PTSD, and with their lives becoming increasingly difficult, investigations began into an accident during his time in Iraq, and whether this had left him with a brain injury.

Watch as Shani describes the support they have had from Combat Stress, The Ripple Pond, Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes, and how ultimately it may take a massive life change to give the Lee what he needs.

Credits

Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker

Transcripts:
Please note that transcripts and closed captions in the video player are automatically generated by Vimeo.

Copyright:
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Home | Veterans | Shani Hall

A veteran interview with

Shani Hall

Shani-Hall-1-1

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https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/shani-hall/

Cite this interview:

MLA Style:
Hall, Shani. A Veteran Interview with Shani Hall. Interview by Martin Bisiker. Legasee, 2 Feb. 2020 https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/shani-hall/. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
APA Style:
Hall, S. (2020, February 2). A Veteran Interview with Shani Hall [Interview by Martin Bisiker]. Legasee. Retrieved November 17, 2025, from https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/shani-hall/
Chicago Style:
Hall, Shani. 2020. A Veteran Interview with Shani Hall. Interview by Martin Bisiker. Legasee, February 2. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/shani-hall/
Harvard Style:
Hall, S. (2020). A Veteran Interview with Shani Hall. [Interviewed by Martin Bisiker]. Legasee, 2 February. Available at https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/shani-hall/ (Accessed: 17 November 2025)
Vancouver Style:
Hall, S. A Veteran Interview with Shani Hall [Internet]. Interview by M. Bisiker. Legasee; 2020 Feb 2 [cited 2025 Nov 17]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/shani-hall/
Frame grab from an oral history interview of the mother of an injured British military veteran
An interview with

Shelley Cooper

A resilient mother's account of caring for a son left with traumatic injuries from Afghanistan

Sparked from his involvement in the Air Cadets, hearing that her son, Kingsman Anthony Cooper, had signed up to the army at 16 was something Shelley Cooper never wanted to hear. She recounts how, despite her reluctance, she let him leave home and eventually serve tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In July 2010, Anthony was severely injured by an IED leading to him lose both his legs, one eye, several fingers, and suffer from a devastating blast brain injury. Doctors told him that he would never walk or eat normally again but, as the determined mother she is, Shelley did not lose hope on his rehabilitation. Shelley shares the emotional journey of being told of Anthony's injuries, visiting him in Birmingham hospital and her support in his recovery at Moseley Hall hospital and Headley Court. By staying strong and fighting for the best care, Shelley ensured that Anthony had every opportunity to succeed in his rehabilitation, despite others' doubts and his own fears. Like mother, like son, Shelley's interview shows the commitment and resilience both she and Anthony displayed in the face of adversity.
An interview with

Peter Steele

Peter shares his unique experiences of going from P&O bar manager to delivering troops to the Falklands with SS Canberra.

Peter was 18 when he started working for P&O on the SS Canberra. Having attended catering college, Peter first worked as a silver service waiter and was quickly promoted to running all the bars. The liner had just been on a world cruise and heading home from Hong Kong when they detoured to Gibraltar to pick up military personnel, rumours flew round about the Falklands and finally they heard the Canberra was being requisitioned. Peter volunteered to remain, in his words for “pride and love of the ship”, never thinking at that stage that anything serious would happen to them. Peter recalls the physical transformation to the ship including the incorporation of two helicopter pads. He also tells us that the first night running the bars and nightclub felt like a party and he worried they were going to run out of beer. They quickly brought in rationing after that. The rapport with the commandos was good and some are still friends to this day. They had to do lots of training for abandoning ship and it was very apparent that, if hit, there weren’t the resources to get everyone off. It became Peter’s responsibility to look after passenger mustering for evacuation. Peter recalls the incredible amount of ships at Ascension Island and the shocking news that, contrary to their contracts, they were being asked to go into the Falklands. Again, he chose to stay with the ship. It was a beautiful day when they arrived in the San Carlos waters and started offloading troops. For a time, Peter thinks they might just have succeeded without detection but all that quickly changes. He describes the chaos and confusion for those, like himself, with no military training when Argentinian aeroplanes start flying over. Peter also recalls his disbelief at seeing the QE2 as he couldn’t believe they would send a ship bearing the Queen’s name into conflict. Thankfully, they come through unscathed but a false report is issued that the Canberra was sunk which shocks family at home. Peter describes the amazing return they experienced with family and friends as well as the Royal Marine band on the quayside. Peter explains that it is difficult to talk about this time but he is proud of his involvement.
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker