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A veteran interview with

Alfred Blake

Alfred Blake was conscripted to the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders in 1955. He was advised that the Infantry would provide more excitement to his National Service and it certainly proved to be the case.

Born in South London, the furthest he’d ever travelled was to go hopping in Kent during the summer holidays. The regiment were based in Inverness. His first deployment was to Korea where he was part of the peacekeeping force. Six months later, the regiment is sent to Aden. On one patrol the platoon is attacked and Alfred is very lucky to survive.

Alfred has shared some great photos.

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About Alfred Blake

Alfred Blake was conscripted to the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders in 1955. He was advised that the Infantry would provide more excitement to his National Service and it certainly proved to be the case.

Born in South London, the furthest he’d ever travelled was to go hopping in Kent during the summer holidays. The regiment were based in Inverness. His first deployment was to Korea where he was part of the peacekeeping force. Six months later, the regiment is sent to Aden. On one patrol the platoon is attacked and Alfred is very lucky to survive.

Alfred has shared some great photos.

Credits

Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
Reviewed by:
Martin B

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

Copyright:
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Home | Veterans | Alfred Blake

A veteran interview with

Alfred Blake

Alfred-Blake-Frame-LR-1

Alfred Blake was conscripted to the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders in 1955. He was advised that the Infantry would provide more excitement to his National Service and it certainly proved to be the case.

Born in South London, the furthest he’d ever travelled was to go hopping in Kent during the summer holidays. The regiment were based in Inverness. His first deployment was to Korea where he was part of the peacekeeping force. Six months later, the regiment is sent to Aden. On one patrol the platoon is attacked and Alfred is very lucky to survive.

Alfred has shared some great photos.

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Cite this interview:

MLA Style:
Blake, Alfred. A Veteran Interview with Alfred Blake. Interview by Martin Bisiker. Legasee, n.d. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/alfred-blake/. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
APA Style:
Blake, A. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with Alfred Blake [Interview by Martin Bisiker]. Legasee. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/alfred-blake/
Chicago Style:
Blake, Alfred. n.d.. A Veteran Interview with Alfred Blake. Interview by Martin Bisiker. Legasee. Accessed April 22, 2026. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/alfred-blake/
Harvard Style:
Blake, A. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with Alfred Blake. [Interviewed by Martin Bisiker]. Legasee. Available at https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/alfred-blake/ (Accessed: 22 April 2026)
Vancouver Style:
Blake, A. A Veteran Interview with Alfred Blake [Internet]. Interview by M. Bisiker. Legasee; n.d. [cited 2026 Apr 22]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/alfred-blake/
An interview with

Audrey Smith

Audrey was a Colonel in the WRAC and is now a Life Vice President of the association.

At university, Audrey joined the Officer Training Corps which ultimately led her to join the army when she graduated. Due to her experience, Audrey never enrolled in basic training but was instead sent to the WRAC school of instruction. She was then posted to Shoeburyness as a Commander, then Singapore, and then to the new Duchess of Kent Barracks as Commanding Officer. Audrey also discusses growing IRA threats, and recalls the horror of experiencing the Aldershot bombing in 1972. Her career continued to flourish and she went to Army Staff College where she was the only woman out of one hundred men. Audrey proceeded to be posted at Shrewsbury as Senior Personnel Officer, then to the doctorate where she wrote employment papers for the WRAC, then the BAOR, and the NATO headquarters in Brussels. Audrey's work in the WRAC was fundamental to its evolution and she was involved in the crucial integration of weapons training into the female corps. She felt strongly that women should be given opportunities and went on to design the selection tests for officers admittance to Staff College. A true trailblazer, we thank Audrey for her inspiring interview and passionate words about the importance of women's roles in the WRAC.
An interview with

John Booth

Signalling from behind the front line, John Booth contributed effectively as a Wireless Operator for the Royal Signals during the Korean War.

John Booth gives a gripping account of his service as a Wireless Operator for the Royal Signals during the Korean War. In 1950, after following in his family's footsteps as a grocer, John decided to volunteer for the Royal Signals as part of his National Service. He began his training at Catterick Garrison, lasting six months before being sent to Harwich where he joined the newly formed 1st Commonwealth Division. In 1951, he found himself boarding the Orwell, setting sail for Korea to join the war effort. John recalls seeing a substantial amount of smoke in Pusan upon their arrival, believing it was related to the conflict, though this was not the case. Reaching the frontage, his crew was placed near the Imjin River behind the infantry line, attached to three mortar batteries. His responsibility was to receive signals for chosen targets and call the batteries to fire at said targets across the battlefield. He reflects on the difficult living conditions of their camp: from cold tents to limited washing facilities, compounded by the fact they received no downtime in Korea until the end of their service. Despite these inconveniences, John maintained a dutiful air throughout. Reflecting on his experience, John was content with his contribution to the war, remembering the support and gratitude given by the Korean people for helping them during a tumultuous time. His interview gives insight into the bravery and loyalty demonstrated by British soldiers who volunteered to provide succour in the Korean conflict.
Photo Gallery icon 1 Photo
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Karen Mallion

Karen's interview is a powerful account of the trailblazing attitude of many WRAC women.

In this interview Karen shares an inspiring story which began with her passion for sports and a determination to transgress the roles available to women in the army. Although she began her WRAC journey as a chef, she had plans to be a Physical Training Instructor and it was only after serving two years in Cyprus as a cook that she applied for her second trade. Karen describes how she passed the initial selection but suffered an unfortunate ankle injury which prevented her from completing the specialised PTI training. Feeling lost after her injury, she recalls the frustration she began to feel with the options available to women in the WRAC and considered leaving. Therefore, for Karen, the disbandment of the WRAC came as a sign that she and many other women alike could move forward and beyond the restraints of female specific roles. At Deep Cut she trialled for the military training instructors course with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, and in her interview describes the constant discrimination she faced in such a male dominated field. Karen became the first female instructor and went on to serve as Sergeant Major in Bosnia, Macedonia and Iraq before her career was ended by misfortune. This interview provides an example of one of the many trailblazing veterans of the WRAC.
Photo Gallery icon 16 Photos
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker