Philip’s career at sea has covered a range of experiences including working his way up from cadet to third mate on a cargo shop and a summer season on a hovercraft, which he calls “the original vomit comet” making journeys across the Channel. He joined the Queen Elizabeth II in 1978 and spent 10 years working onboard. Philip was meant to be on leave when the ship was requisitioned to attend the Falklands but he honourably stepped up and offered to swap with a married man. As a Cunard employee, but having spent time in the Royal Navy Reserves, Philip was well placed to become the Liaison Officer between ship operations and the military. He describes in detail the changes made to the QE2 to make the ship ready for transporting over 3000 troops and the technical difficulties they had to surmount. He also recalls the press interest in the ship and how visiting dignitaries, such as the Foreign Secretary, would have to be accommodated. Philip says the mix of personnel worked well and most people rehearsed a number of roles due to the uncertainty ahead, in particular, the Gurkha troops were incredibly diligent in practicing evacuation drills. The closer they get, the more the reality hits of what is ahead as they receive news of casualties and sunken warships. Icebergs are a real threat too and having to travel without radar (in case of detection) was risky. One treacherously foggy day a Cunard officer switched the radar back on and just as well he did because it alerted them to icebergs all around. Even anchoring the ship at Grytviken was dangerous as the water was so deep. Philip is able to recall in detail the operations taking place followed by a complex refuelling process to get them home safely. The return was very emotional as they were the first major ship to get back and carrying hundreds of survivors. They were welcomed home by the Queen Mother. Philip reflects that this time was a huge adventure and not something he could ever have imagined being part of as a normal Merchant Navy sailor.

Henry William “Buster” Brown grew up during the Second World War, evacuated as a child and training later as an apprentice electrical engineer. Determined not to end up in the mines, he went against his father’s wishes and volunteered for the Royal Navy. His skills as a wireman saw him posted to a specially adapted Landing Craft Flak — a flat-topped vessel bristling with anti-aircraft guns and manned by a close-knit crew of sailors and Royal Marines.

In his interview, Buster recalls training in Combined Operations, landing on Sword Beach on D-Day and almost immediately being placed in charge of 12 German prisoners. He describes patrolling the Gooseberry line off the Normandy coast under shellfire, cramped and damp life aboard LCF 39, and the loss of close friends. He recounts rescuing men from HMS Swift after she struck a mine, and the ferocious fighting of the Walcheren landings to open up Antwerp.

Buster’s story ends with his memories of VE Day and an unexpected posting to America — a vivid, humorous and heartfelt account of a remarkable naval career.