Kirsty met Andy after he had left the army through ill health. Andy was very proud to have served in the Coldstream Guards and paratroopers but never really told Kirsty everything about his time in military service. Andy suffered a number of incredibly serious injuries during his time in the army which have left him with deteriorating health. The pair have been through years of medical tests, differing diagnoses and uncertainty trying to get to the root of Andy’s health problems. Kirsty finally felt some relief when she was put in touch with an army doctor and the military took over Andy’s care. She felt the military took responsibility for Andy and were much clearer and more decisive in suggesting treatment. The birth of their son was both a joy but also brought challenges as Kirsty had to manage so much. Kirsty describes how there have been so many near fatal moments with Andy’s health that they try to live in the now as much as possible. Discovering Help for Heroes has also made a big difference in their lives. Andy can spend time with people who relate and he now has hobbies they never thought possible. Kirsty joined Band of Sisters which she didn’t think would be for her but she absolutely loved the respite weekend she was able to attend and has remained in contact with some other women, valuing the ability to speak openly with others who can fully empathise. They even take respite breaks as a family and their son enjoys the fuss made of him. Kirsty wanted to share their story to make others aware that help and support is available and essential, even if people feel they are coping and don’t need it.

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.

After being demobbed, Naval man Len Hurst took to post-war England in search of a suitable new job. When promises of employment within the Merchant Navy fell flat, Len found luck in the field of aviation, gaining his Civil Aviation licence and beginning work as a Radio Officer.  In this interview he recalls his time with Southend Airways, coinciding with the start of the Berlin Airlift. He describes his own experiences flying with different crews, as well as some pilots who were almost certainly more than three sheets to the wind. Len’s anecdotes include one hair-raising flight, when a problem with the control locks forced his plane to fly at a scarily low altitude, and another lucky escape following a crash caused by the collapse of his plane’s undercarriage. With Hamburg flattened, Len and his crews helped to deliver goods like butter, coal, and flour. When considering the initial resentment from many Berliners, he reiterates that the Airlift was to “feed” people, something which otherwise might not have happened.  Similar to many, Len has no regrets, and recalls the Airlift as “a very interesting period” in his life. He has since written a book, detailing his experience.