18-year-old John Woodward followed in the footsteps of his father, uncle and grandfather by enlisting in the Royal Navy in 1942, keen to join the fight and do his bit for the war effort. His original intention was to become a signaller but when he was found to be colour blind, he was transferred to the minesweepers and based on the Isle of Sheppey at Queenborough Pier. John shares details of his early training and his role onboard the minesweeper, and recounts a particularly inspired yet risky manoeuvre ordered by the ship’s captain when the Germans’ mine-laying tactics had become a little too predictable. As well as providing details about the types of mines deployed by the Germans and how his minesweeper dislodged them, John also recalls both the build-up to D-Day and the actual event itself, before going on to talk about VE Day and his memories of the occasion. Like his peers, John shares his story with remarkable modesty, but it is easy to find behind his words the bravery, commitment and dedication with which he served, and which will form the heart of his legacy for many years to come.

John came from a Naval family, his father served as a seaman for 28 years and his brother also served as a seaman. He joined the Merchant Navy in 1949, serving on several different supply ships. His experiences took him to many countries in the world, including America, New Zealand and Japan. For most of his career John worked as cabin crew on supply ships supporting the war effort in Korea. He didn't feel he understood what was going on in Korea when he was first sent there. He didn't experience any direct involvement in armed conflict, but became aware of the impact of the war during those times the ship was in port in Pusan and other areas in South Korea. He describes life on board as boring and lived for the times when they arrived in port, where he and his crew mates would have many adventures. He has many stories to tell of these times. John reflects positively on the camaraderie that existed on board, among crew mates of many different backgrounds and nationalities. Sadly, John was unable to continue his naval career due to contracting TB and missed the camaraderie of naval life after being medically discharged.

On the same day a 16-year-old Harry Card was turned away from the Army for being underage, he was signed up to the Navy by a passing chief petty officer, and so began his death-defying military career. Harry joined HMS Swift, an S-class destroyer, in late 1943 and set sail on the Arctic convoys. He describes the Arctic’s mountainous seas in terrifying detail, and recalls various hair-raising moments of his service including submarine attacks, clearing ice from the ship’s masts, and Operation Tungsten: the Navy air raid that targeted the German battleship Tirpitz. Later on in the war, HMS Swift was on the front line of the D-Day landings. Harry vividly recalls the opening bombardment as they sat poised off Sword Beach in Normandy, before describing the exact moment the ship was struck by an oyster mine and split clean in half. Despite the sinking of the Swift, Harry survived and was given six weeks to recover, after which he set sail once more.  This time he was on HMS Odzani, heading for the Far East where he embarked on further convoy duties and assisted in the liberation of Hong Kong and Singapore.