Rowena Patrick MBE trained at the WRAC College in Camberley and began her long military career in the WRAC in 1969 at the age of 23. Employed with the Royal Army Physical Training Corps at Aldershot and then Shrewsbury, Rowena was responsible for rewriting the then-outdated syllabus for women’s military training in the WRAC. As a keen mountaineer, Rowena’s new syllabus included adventurous survival training for both men and women, including rock climbing, ice climbing, and walking in all weather in the UK and abroad. In 1976, Rowena was posted as a grade 3 staff officer in the Ministry of Defence to the Directorate of Army Training in Guildford. During her career as an Army Major and Commanding Officer, Rowena worked alongside Wrens and members of the WRAF. Rowena remembers several IRA bombings that occurred in the 1970s and her experience with the SIB. Rowena also recalls, with pride and sadness, marching at Lord Louie Mountbatten’s state funeral in 1979. From then, for two and a quarter years, Rowena worked in Brunei for the Sultan of Brunei on loan service with the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment. Whilst in Brunei, Rowena carried out physical training, forming the Women's Army of Brunei. Back in England, in 1985, she became employed with the Royal Corps of Signals in Blanford. Rowena resigned from the WRAC in 1992. She went on to work for The Burma Star Association; in 2012, Rowena was awarded an MBE for her outstanding contribution and services to the veteran’s association.

Ken provides a compelling account of his volatile journey through Europe with the 7th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment during World War II. Leaving an unhappy childhood, Ken received his moment of destiny after enlisting into the Royal Tank Regiment at sixteen. He trained as a driver/operator in the 7th Tanks before transporting to Normandy, 2-3 days after the D-day landings; his first taste of luck. Landing on seized beaches, six tanks were offloaded from an LCT. Despite being in the Churchill Regiment, Ken had the misfortune of operating inside a Stuart, a lightly armoured tank which the Germans could easily damage. Adding to the mania, it wasn't long before many officers were replaced for various reasons. This included the promotion of his Captain, resulting in Ken, the Troop Leader's operator, to take up the reins. Following a few gruelling battles, the crew encountered some Canadian troops hammering at the Germans with a field full of 7.2-inch Howitzers. It was decided for the regiment to rest around their position while struggling to sleep against the constant banging of their assault. However, this site would also prove fateful, as dusk approached, Ken beheld a German aircraft, releasing a calamitous rain of bombs from above. The scenes of destruction and pain remained evocative in his memory, from flaming petrol proliferating their surroundings to the agonising screams of their gunner, tragically missing much from the waist down in his failed attempt to remain hidden underneath one of the tanks. Despite the catastrophe, Ken managed to survive and was later sent to a holding camp for medical attention; considering himself fortunate once more. Eventually, he rejoined the 7th Tanks and continued his service. He recalls how people used to call tanks 'metal coffins' due to the number of troops who died inside them but Ken saw differently. Protection was better than no protection and despite the setbacks, he remembers the occasions when German snipers would attack and was thankful to be in a tank. Even among scorched earth, Ken was hardy throughout and embraced his time in the army, describing it as a big adventure. His story captures the bravery demonstrated by those who served in the Royal Tank Regiment as well as the fortunes and misfortunes one faces in a landscape afflicted by war.

For London-based secretary, Peggy Jacobsen, joining a cause in the Second World War was “the obvious thing to do”. Her mission to help was set in motion shortly after a friend of her father’s came to dinner one evening. Peggy’s journey as a member of the FANY began in the summer of 1939, “roughing it” at Mytchett Camp, where she trained for the corps. After that, her unit became “really and truly mobilised”. The FANYs were originally founded as motor companies. Some members possessed technical skills, which made them good mechanics. Others, including Peggy, showcased their excellence at typewriters. Following a split that took place within the corps, Peggy was absorbed into the group known as ‘Free FANYs’, where she worked on administrative tasks in the office. Despite the name, Peggy quipped that she “Didn’t exactly feel very free”. Peggy also became involved with the Polish unit in Scotland and participated in the formation of FANY Headquarters Scotland. Here, the Polish unit provided necessities, including ambulances and drivers, as well as welfare services to the Poles. Throughout the interview, Peggy fondly remembers many friends and fellow FANY members, people she “will never forget”.   The publication of this previously unseen interview was made possible thanks to a grant from The Gerry Holdsworth Special Forces Charity, to mark 80 years since the closure of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) in January 1946.