Howard Ormerod provides an enthralling account of his service with Royal Navy supplies aboard the SS Atlantic Conveyor during the Falklands War. Already having a background in trade, Howard's introduction to the navy began after receiving a job at the naval supplies department as part of the Ministry of Defence. However, it would take him four years before finding himself at sea where he volunteered as a civil servant aboard the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. When war broke out in the Falklands, his services became valuable to the SS Atlantic Conveyor, commanded by Captain Ian North. Howard recalls the immensity of the ship, acting as a carrier not just for small items but also large vehicles. He was tasked with managing and protecting the stores onboard. During her voyage, the Conveyor managed to offload supplies to RFA Stromness at Ascension Island and later transferred Harriers to HMS Plymouth. Things were running smoothly until the carrier was hit by an Exocet missile. The situation became so disastrous that the crew was forced to abandon ship. Howard describes his thrilling escape, passing though rising smoke which obscured his view and falling into water after missing a life raft beneath him. Ironically, the same life raft came on top of him at one point, nearly drowning him. His life had briefly flashed before his eyes. After being rescued by HMS Alacrity, Howard noticed that many of the stores were caught in the destruction and even more tragically, the loss of human lives, including the captain himself, Ian North. Following the catastrophe, Howard was sent home by aircraft, an experience he reflects on despairingly. After the Falklands, he would continue his naval supplies career for another three years before moving into accountancy. Despite having no regrets, Howard's brief time in the Falklands War made him wish that some things had gone differently and that more people recognised the success of the civil servants who helped in the offloading of stores. His interview reflects their bravery and achievements in the navy during the conflict.

Philip Roberts started out in the naval section of the combined cadet force then joined the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. He had just turned 17. As Philip puts it, you start out as the “lowest of the low” and work your way up. He began as a deck apprentice and by 1982 was in command of his own ship, the Sir Galahad. Philip transports men and vehicles to the Norwegian fjords which was an indispensable time for learning the ship’s capabilities and handling, especially when it came to getting stuck in ice. From there, the Sir Galahad is called back to Plymouth ahead of the invasion of the Falklands Islands. Philip recalls in detail the make up and responsibilities of his crew and their feelings heading towards conflict. At one point they encounter such bad weather that the bow doors are damaged and need to be immediately repaired to prevent flooding. Philip is grateful for the team around him and their action, support and counsel. As well as bad weather, submarines and mines were real threats. Philip remembers a shocking encounter when a bomb lands on his ship very near to their ammunition but, incredibly, fails to explode. He manages to get everyone off the ship and the bomb is removed packed by Kellogg’s cornflakes before being sunk. The race is then on to ensure the Sir Galahad is watertight. After previously having been displeased at being taken to war, it is the Chinese crew who really muck in to bring the repaired ship back up to scratch and ready for service. Once back in action, Philip recalls another terrible attack when they come under fire from the airforce just as they were about to discharge a number of Welsh Guards at Fitzroy. Philip describes events in blistering detail. Tragically, 50 men lost their lives and many were injured. Philip returned to the Falklands in the early 1990s on the Grey Rover patrolling the islands. He reflects that the Falklands has been a big part of his life.