Office boy Stan Hoare was called up in June 1943 and he joined the Royal Navy as a radar rating, completing his training at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall and on the Isle of Man. Stan’s first ship was HMS Hart, a modified Black Swan-class sloop, and he recalls the sense of pride he felt when boarding for the first time. He shares memories of his life and work on board the ship during sea trials, the Arctic convoys and D-Day, and remembers the serious consequences of an accident caused by heavy fog in the Bristol Channel during his watch. Stan went on to take a gunnery course and was subsequently transferred to HMS Duke of York, joining the British Pacific Fleet and setting sail for Australia. He vividly describes the differences between the two ships of his service, and remembers the final crashing wave that spared his life but ended his military career. Stan’s story, shared with much humour and humility, illustrates the overwhelming courage, dedication and resilience of all those who served with, before and after him.

Having long been drawn to the water, Gordon Hooton decided to run away from home and volunteer for the Royal Navy at just sixteen years old. Both his time in the Home Guard and the skills inherited from a childhood of swimming and high diving put him in good stead for naval training at HMS Ganges, and Gordon soon found himself waiting for a draft at Chatham Dockyard. Following some work aboard the submarine recently returned from the stratagems of Operation Mincemeat, Gordon assumed a position aboard the HMS Savage and embarked north to join a huge convoy headed for Russia. Gordon shares his experience aboard the HMS Savage; everything from his initial sea sickness to narrowly avoiding being torpedoed by a fleet of German U-Boats in Polyarny. Following the German surrender, Gordon disembarked the HMS Savage and boarded a great American liner bound for Sri Lanka from Southampton. Assigned as chief quartermaster of this ship, Gordon recounts his experience of escorting a Japanese ship up the Malacca Strait to be sunk. He also explains the processes involved in the dangerous task of mine sweeping at sea. After the war Gordon was decommissioned on medical grounds, which unfortunately brought a premature end to his career in the Navy. Gordon’s story highlights the dangers inherent to a career in the Navy, and his ability to adapt to the ruthless naval warfare of the Second World War at such a young age is a testament to his fortitude.

When Joe Pitcher was called up into the Royal Navy in 1941, his military career began at HMS Glendower, a training facility preparing sailors for service on defensively equipped merchant ships (DEMS). Throughout his ensuing service, Joe sailed on the coastal, Atlantic, Mediterranean and Pacific convoys. He shares his memories of how it felt each time he changed ship and had to get used to working with a completely new crew, and adapting to the ship’s life and rules. He also remembers with wry humour a number of near misses along the way, including a scramble to find an ammunition locker stopcock, dodging a bullet from a round accidentally fired off by a young sailor in the mess, and surviving two separate torpedo hits on the same ship. Joe’s service ended in Singapore where the true horrors of war were brought into sharp focus when the hospital ship he was on took aboard countless near-to-death POWs. With great modesty, Joe says he was glad to have been able to do his bit, and shares with deep emotion his gratitude for surviving the war when so many others weren’t so lucky.

When Patricia Parker turned 18, two years after the Second World War had begun, she was eager to do her bit, and as soon as she was called up she joined the WRNS (Women’s Royal Naval Service). After completing her training in Kent, Patricia was sent to HMS Ceres in Wetherby, Yorkshire, where her job was to rate new recruits and decide which ships they would be drafted to. Recalling that 500 ratings passed through the station every eight weeks, she shares her emotional reflections on the uncertainty of their futures. Patricia also highlights the crucial role of the convoys in keeping Britain fed during the war; fondly remembers the regular dances hosted by the RAF, Navy or Army, at which many people found romance; and vividly recalls the build-up to D-Day, when England’s roads were lined with men and machinery in preparation for the invasion. Patricia’s reflections offer a poignant glimpse into the experiences of those who worked quietly yet valiantly behind the scenes. From the uncertainty faced by countless new recruits to the camaraderie and brief moments of joy shared within the ranks, her memories paint a vivid picture of resilience, duty and the human experience of war.

James Bisiker served in the Royal Marines as part of 40 Commando. He recalls the intense physical demands, particularly during harsh conditions in places like Dartmoor, where the group faced severe weather and tragically lost a fellow trainee to hypothermia. In 1948, he endured a rough crossing to Malta and continued to North Africa and eventually to Palestine. He recalls the chaos in Haifa as Israel became a state. The tense atmosphere and waiting for possible attacks from militant groups put him on edge every day. James reminisces fondly about the inclusivity within the Marines, where soldiers of different backgrounds, including Jewish, Black, and even openly gay comrades, were accepted and treated equally. His time in the Marines instilled a deep sense of pride and achievement. Despite the hardships, he and his comrades became a close group, forming strong bonds through shared experiences.

Despite recurring bouts of Bovine TB contracted from her uncle's cows, Patricia Davies passed a fitness test to join the Women's Royal Navy Service [WRN - AKA the Wrens] in 1942. She was 19 and was sent to Southmead House in Wimbledon to develop her linguistic skills. She benefitted from some schooling with German refugees. She recalls that the Royal Navy repurposed various buildings for optimal radio coverage, including Scarborough racecourse. Patricia's work, detailed from her base at a Lyme Regis golf club, involved intercepting German radio traffic. Though not the most thrilling location, she fondly recalls some enjoyable moments. Her next post was at Abbots Cliff near Dover, a busier station closer to enemy lines. Patricia vividly remembers the buildup to D-Day and the moment she learned of the second front's opening. Two weeks later, she turned 21, reflecting on the period's innocence. The war's end was bittersweet for Patricia. While it was a time of great celebration, her father remained a POW in the Far East, with little information about his condition. Thankfully, he survived, allowing the family to move forward and Patricia to pursue a career in television. Meeting both Patricia and her sister Jean Argles was a privilege.

Charles Bull joined the Navy at 17 out of disillusionment with his initial career as a clerk, serving for 27 years and reaching Warrant Officer. His first ship assignment was HMS Kenya, where he worked in the pay office. The Kenya was never really in reserve, and most the ship's company were National Servicemen. During his time in Korea, he worked long hours, even more than during his defence stations. Bull and his team had to manage the pay documents for these servicemen, which was a major challenge. His Navy training was a stark contrast to his previous life, involving rigorous discipline and new responsibilities like preparing meals and seamanship training. He found the transition to ship life was challenging, with long hours and the need to catch up on paperwork. Despite the hardships, he found the experience valuable. He also talks about his first overseas experience in Malta, where he encountered cultural differences, including the taste of imported eggs and the presence of licensed prostitutes.

Born in 1931, Ronald George Yardley faced the hardships of wartime as a child. At 18, he joined the Navy, trained for six weeks at HMS Royal Arthur, and became a Wireless Telegraphist. He later served on HMS Belfast and was deployed to Korea. Ron remembers the immense cold as they journeyed closer to Korea, travelling through frozen seas. When the Belfast arrived in Korea the bombardment and involvement in the war started immediately. He remembers a sad moment when the ship’s water pipes burst after being hit by enemy fire, scalding a soldier to death. Ron also recalls two marines who died on a mission, their bodies never recovered. Ron recounts a heartfelt moment when a young orphan from his mess deck, who never received letters, asked if Ron could read some of his own to help him feel connected to life back home. After leaving HMS Belfast, Ron was posted to HMS Royal Prince in Germany, where he carried out exercises on Hermann Goering’s luxury yacht. He remains deeply thankful to the South Koreans for funding the National Korean War Memorial, a place he proudly takes his grandchildren to.

John Pound served with the Royal Navy in the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. Aged 19, he travelled to Korea on the Empire Pride before boarding HMS Charity, the small C-Class destroyer upon which John was based for the duration of the war. Prior to this overseas engagement, he had spent his first two years in the Navy training at Victoria Barracks and aboard HMS Bulwark and HMS Vanguard. Trained as a radar plotter, 3rd class, John shares his experience of work aboard HMS Charity in the operations room and details what his role entailed. He also talks about life out at sea, including the freezing conditions, the system of currency around rum rations, swimming in the Yellow Sea, and visiting the American base in Sasebo and the Australian base at Kure. Recalling having to be on action stations at all times, John delves into the dangers involved in his naval duties, including one particular Easter Sunday when Korean batteries hidden in caves ambushed their ship! Upon leaving HMS Charity, John returned home and completed his radar plotter course, 2nd class, before being assigned to the HMS Albion. Now a proud member of the Suffolk Korean Veteran’s Association, John’s story permits a wonderful insight into what life was like aboard a Royal Navy ship during the Korean War.

David comes from a military background, his father and two older brothers served during WWII. He enlisted into the Navy in 1949 for seven years. He recounts a year of arduous basic training, which carried the risk of being “back-squadded” for failing. Although tough, David valued his training and was determined to succeed. Gaining the green beret was the proudest moment of David’s life. He began active duty in Korea, defending Wonson Harbour on Yodo Island in 4-1 commandos. He manned the heavy artillery, working alongside American counterparts to defend the island from enemy incursions. This also involved raids to disable strategic infrastructure. He enjoyed the opportunities for R&R in Japan and spent time there after peace was declared. David returned to the UK, following which he spent 3-month tours of duty in many areas including the Caribbean, often in guard duty roles on-board ship. David recounts happy memories of this time. Finally, David was stationed first in Malta, in charge of weapons stores and then in a similar role in Cyprus during the struggle for independence. It was while on duty that David was suddenly told to leave as his 7 years were up.