Home | Civilian

The Civilian Archive

Explore the recollections of civilians who have experienced the effect military conflict.

0 selected
Showing 1 - 12 of 87 results
An interview with

Twickenham School museum visit

Play video icon Watch the Video
An interview with

Daphne Park

 Daphne Margaret Sybil Désirée Park, Baroness Park of Monmouth  joined the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry...

Play video icon Watch the Video
Black star iconFeatured
An interview with

Bob Maloubier

In this revealing interview, the world renowned saboteur and weapons trainer, Bob Maloubier shares detail...

Play video icon Watch the Video
An interview with

Korean Veterans’ school visit

Legasee works with lots of schools to deliver practical, enjoyable learning across multiple curricula. Contact...
Play video icon Watch the Video
An interview with

Michele Apter

Play video icon Watch the Video
An interview with

Rupert Ballantyne

Rupert kindly shares some fabulous photographs from his personal collection – well worth a look.
Play video icon Watch the Video
An interview with

Philip Roberts

This is from the Historical RFA website: From 21 May to 8 June 1982 during...
Play video icon Watch the Video
An interview with

Martyn Coombes

Play video icon Watch the Video
An interview with

Anthony Pitt

This is from the website: http://www.historicalrfa.org/   Throughout the Falklands Conflict, Captain Pitt displayed considerable...
Play video icon Watch the Video
An interview with

Leslie Jenkins

Leslie has shared some wonderful photos from his time onboard. Check them in the gallery.
Play video icon Watch the Video
An interview with

Garry Burns

Play video icon Watch the Video
An interview with

Andy Tuft

Play video icon Watch the Video
1 2 3 8
An interview with

Twickenham School museum visit

Pupils from Twickenham School, visit Kneller Hall's Museum of Military Music

An interview with

Daphne Park

Daphne Park, Baroness Park of Monmouth, was a distinguished British intelligence officer

Daphne Margaret Sybil Désirée Park, Baroness Park of Monmouth, joined the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) in 1943 and caught the attention of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) due to her cipher skills. Promoted to sergeant, she trained operatives for Operation Jedburgh, supporting the Resistance in Europe. Despite a demotion, Daphne served as a Briefing Officer, working with French soldiers before D-Day. Major-General Sir Colin McVean Gubbins ensured she became a commissioned officer. Post-war, she joined the Field Intelligence Agency Technical British Intelligence Objective Sub-Committee in Frankfurt and Berlin. Daphne recalls various incidents, including her time in a jail, using food for intelligence, and training challenges. She discusses the SOE hierarchy, the notable secret agent Dennis Rake, and colleagues like Leopold Marks and the Gamble sisters. Daphne's remarkable service continued with MI6. She passed away on March 24, 2010.
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martyn Cox
An interview with

Bob Maloubier

Bob Maloubier gives an incredible interview of his experience as a saboteur and weapons trainer in the SOE and Force 136.

In firstly describing his earlier life, Bob recalls growing up in Paris and joining the special detachment force at the beginning of the Second World War. He then recalls arriving in England to undergo specialised training, and from this point onwards was made a saboteur. Bob remembers his first jump, and the speed at which saboteurs would have to seek, report and destroy enemy objectives. Operating in small teams of five to six individuals, he recalls the importance of discretion and trust among his network. As a member of the SOE, Bob was required to have a forged identity and resultantly, landed himself in troubled situations with the enemy. He recalls one particular incident on Christmas Day 1943 where, having missed the enforced curfew in Paris, he was taken by the German patrol. In an attempt to escape, he was shot in the lung and as a result, thought he had died. It was a slow recovery as not only did he have to remain in hiding from the enemy, but could only receive medical attention once he had returned to England in February. In the rest of his interview Bob discusses D-Day, the allied liberation, his post-war experiences in Asia, and the dive school he established in North Africa where he trained frogmen. Bob's account provides a series of exciting, moving and fascinating stories of his experience in the SOE both during, and after, the Second World War.
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martyn Cox
An interview with

Michele Apter

A Mother’s Battle: Michele’s Fight to Keep Her Sons Safe After War

Content warning//

This interview contains discussions of sensitive topics such as PTSD, depression and suicidal thoughts which some viewers may find distressing. If you are affected by these topics, please consider seeking support from a trusted person or organisation.   Michele's family tree shows military men from both world wars, so it was no surprise when two of her sons joined the military. Tours of Iraq, and physical and mental injuries has meant that Michele has struggled to keep her sons safe since they left the army, and after numerous suicide attempts Michele's own mental health has suffered significantly.
Service:
Project:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Rupert Ballantyne

As a Public Rooms Officer on the QE2, Rupert Ballantine explains how he volunteered for Queen and Country during the Falklands War, helping to transfer 3,000 British troops to reclaim the archipelago.

In 1982, Rupert Ballantine experienced a unique journey that he will always remember. He went from traveling the seas between the UK and the US aboard the renowned cruise ship the QE2 to embarking on a mission towards a conflict zone. When the military requisitioned the ship, Rupert immediately volunteered his services. It took approximately half a day for 3,000 troops and their equipment to be loaded onto the ship. The voyage began with the ship limping out of Southampton, briefly stopping behind the Isle of Wight, where a closed stopcock was found to be the culprit. The QE2 achieved speeds of 27 knots, outpacing the accompanying warships as it navigated across the oceans in a zigzag pattern. Throughout the journey, troops utilised every available space for training, and Rupert had the opportunity to sample a Gurkha curry, which is still the best he has ever tasted. Sadly, Rupert did not set foot on land when they reached their destination, but he takes pride in having contributed to the safe arrival of the British troops, enabling them to reclaim the land. The return journey included 700 injured service personnel from three British vessels that had been sunk.
Photo Gallery icon 38 Photos
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Philip Roberts

From Naval cadet to ship commander, Philip shares his vivid and gripping recollections of his time in the Falklands War.

Philip Roberts started out in the naval section of the combined cadet force then joined the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. He had just turned 17. As Philip puts it, you start out as the “lowest of the low” and work your way up. He began as a deck apprentice and by 1982 was in command of his own ship, the Sir Galahad. Philip transports men and vehicles to the Norwegian fjords which was an indispensable time for learning the ship’s capabilities and handling, especially when it came to getting stuck in ice. From there, the Sir Galahad is called back to Plymouth ahead of the invasion of the Falklands Islands. Philip recalls in detail the make up and responsibilities of his crew and their feelings heading towards conflict. At one point they encounter such bad weather that the bow doors are damaged and need to be immediately repaired to prevent flooding. Philip is grateful for the team around him and their action, support and counsel. As well as bad weather, submarines and mines were real threats. Philip remembers a shocking encounter when a bomb lands on his ship very near to their ammunition but, incredibly, fails to explode. He manages to get everyone off the ship and the bomb is removed packed by Kellogg’s cornflakes before being sunk. The race is then on to ensure the Sir Galahad is watertight. After previously having been displeased at being taken to war, it is the Chinese crew who really muck in to bring the repaired ship back up to scratch and ready for service. Once back in action, Philip recalls another terrible attack when they come under fire from the airforce just as they were about to discharge a number of Welsh Guards at Fitzroy. Philip describes events in blistering detail. Tragically, 50 men lost their lives and many were injured. Philip returned to the Falklands in the early 1990s on the Grey Rover patrolling the islands. He reflects that the Falklands has been a big part of his life.
Photo Gallery icon 2 Photos
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Martyn Coombes

From purser to medical volunteer, Martyn shares his experiences of his time with the SS Uganda during the Falklands War.

In his youth, Martyn was an army cadet and in the territorials but didn’t land a commission. Instead he went into hotel work which then led to cruise ships. He started out as assistant purser and in the 1980s was onboard the SS Uganda which Martyn calls the “naughty boys ship” because it was full of rogues! They were being used by schools as an educational ship and were at Egypt when they were requisitioned for the Falklands. It was a nerve wracking journey to Naples at night and avoiding the wrecks from the Six Day War. There the children and passengers disembarked, military personnel boarded and the ship was kitted out as a floating hospital. Martyn recalls in detail the total transformation the ship underwent. To start with, the journey south felt like an adventure and morale was high, they had the Royal Marine Band onboard who helped meld together the Merchant and Royal Navy, but reality hit home when they heard about the sinking of HMS Sheffield and the General Belgrano. One of the biggest challenges they faced was ensuring water supply and their priority upon arrival became engineering this. Meanwhile, Martyn became a stretcher bearer on top of his other responsibilities as well as volunteering to help in the hospital wards. He recalls some of the casualties who came his way, including three men he knew from his days in the TA. Of all the casualties who came on board, only three died. Martyn also vividly recalls coming incredibly close to two Phantom jets and their ship unwittingly sailing through a minefield, thankfully without damage. Upon return, it was Martyn’s responsibility to look after the supply of souvenirs. He was based on his own in the Matron’s office which meant he couldn’t see the welcome home fanfare. Eventually, sure he was missing out, he abandoned the souvenirs to find his family! Martyn says he wouldn’t wear his medal for a long time because he didn’t directly experience the war but a captain told him to wear it with pride, if it hadn’t been for the support of vessels like the Uganda they would not have succeeded.
Photo Gallery icon 1 Photo
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Anthony Pitt

Commander of the RFA ship Percivale recalls the Falklands war in detail

At the start of the Falklands War, Anthony Pitt commanded the Royal Fleet Auxiliary [RFA] Percivale, a Round Table class landing ship logistics (LSL), earning the Distinguished Service Cross for his exceptional service.
Raised in Hornsey, North London, his passion for sailing led him to the merchant navy, where he started an apprenticeship in 1956 and achieved command at 40. He describes the Percivale's vital role, from replenishment operations to accommodating Chinese crew members. Initially learning about the conflict while golfing in Zeebrugge, he recounts arming the Percivale at Ascension and the scepticism about the war’s likelihood. The ship was crucial in offloading troops at Red Beach and aiding the Atlantic Conveyor. Anthony faced challenges like limited communications and morale-boosting activities. The Percivale was the first ship into Port Stanley, a key moment in the conflict.
Reflecting modestly, Anthony highlights his crew’s survival and his earned Distinguished Services Medal [DSM].
Photo Gallery icon 6 Photos
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Leslie Jenkins

An amazing newfound volunteer on the SS Canberra, Leslie Jenkins shares his experience working on a requisitioned P&O cruise ship that serviced the British Forces throughout the Falklands War as a troopship.

Leslie Jenkins was a shop manager on a P&O cruise ship that was returning to Southampton to conclude its world cruise. An unexpected detour to Gibraltar brought the SS Canberra into the Falklands war as a requisitioned troopship. Now a volunteer in the war, Leslie, travelled to the South Atlantic Ocean and recalls what it was like to adjust to being a shop manager servicing British troops, Gurkhas, Argentines and reporters. He recalls the Canberra led by Captain Burne travelling to Ascension Island and offloading troops and supplies in San Carlos. Leslie remembers hearing the bombs dropped by aircrafts in San Carlos and the Canberra making it safely out of the foray to later meet the QE2 in South Georgia to take on more troops and stores. Leslie recounts his time in the heart of the conflict, being very busy and having notable visits from Prince Andrew and when the war was declared over, the Canberra continued to provide its service and transported nearly 4,200 prisoners back to Argentina. Leslie fondly recalls also being visited by the Prince of Wales on board the vessel on its voyage home to Southampton where they were greeted by a grateful crowd. His story unveils an untold personal history of the experience of non-uniformed volunteers in The Falklands War.
Photo Gallery icon 16 Photos
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Garry Burns

Born multiracial to a place of austerity, Garry Burns transitioned seamlessly into the Royal Navy and later, the Merchant Navy.

Garry Burns shares an engaging account of his service aboard RFA Tidespring during the Falklands War. Raised in a Children's home, Garry understood hardness and strict discipline from a young age. These qualities would benefit his transition into the Royal Navy when he joined. After enlisting at sixteen, he trained as a Gunner, working aboard many warships from HMS Cambridge to HMS Reclaim. This was before choosing to become a merchant sailor, serving aboard RFA Tidespring as a Paint locker-man. Despite leaving the navy, he would soon find himself entering a warzone after Tidespring was called to Ascension Island in preparation for war in the Falklands. Something Garry thought was a joke because the message was received on April 1st. While sailing to South Georgia with a group of other warships, Garry recalls how they were required to bunch up and mimic cargo ships to avoid detection from Russian Satellites who were monitoring them. At South Georgia, many crazy stories unfolded such as, struggling to send marines ashore after the crashing of two helicopters and the drifting of a recovery boat. After the bombardment and surrender of South Georgia, the crew were given the opportunity to inspect the hamlet of Grytviken. Garry was stunned by how forsaken it was. It resembled a ghost town in which everyone had left, yet much was left behind. During the war, they brought hundreds of POWs aboard, including crew members of the Santa Fe submarine which had limped onto Grytviken after being attacked. When meeting the prisoners, Garry noticed how bedraggled some of them appeared. He managed to form healthy relationships with some of them, especially since he knew Spanish from his earlier voyages in both South and Central America. This made him the crew's unofficial translator. Being born mixed race in the 1950s, Garry never had an easy time making friends, especially early on. However, his life aboard Tidespring proved to be a happy one and his skin colour was valuable in gaining the assurance of POWs who may have found it difficult to trust someone of a more English disposition. Garry's story captures the advantages that come from growing up in undesirable circumstances, from the success that can still be attained and the surprising way in which new bonds can be formed.    
Photo Gallery icon 1 Photo
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Andy Tuft

Possibly the youngest British seaman to take part in the Falklands War

Andy Tuft was born into a military family but stumbled into the merchant navy by accident. He expected luxury cruises but joined the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) instead.
Signing on April 1st, he was en route to the Falklands by April 5th onboard RFA Resource where he was a Junior Communications Rating (JCR).  He quickly adapted to his first deployment, detailing his work and life aboard the Resource. Although inexperienced, he served on the fire attack team and quickly matured.
He fondly recalls his skipper, "Sally Seymour," and memories of San Carlos and South Georgia, where icebergs, more than bombs, unsettled him. Andy also recounts sharing a cabin with a Special Boat Service [SBS] member, an eye-opening experience. Mixed emotions coloured his Falklands experience; while proud to have served, he felt conflicted about the service and its long-term affects.
He retired from the Merchant Navy in 1989, and sadly passed away on May 12, 2023, following a short illness.
Photo Gallery icon 1 Photo
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker