Having been born and brought up in Chester, Neville enlisted in 1951, at aged 21, in the Welch Fusiliers following completion of a civil engineering apprenticeship. Early on in his training, Neville was promoted to Lance Corporal and eventually became a signaller. He describes how early on, he sensed they were being prepared for battle although when he was told that they were going to Korea, like many others, he didn’t know anything about the country. Following arrival in Korea, he and his compatriots underwent a 48-hour train journey, during which Neville describes learning about the Korean People. He tells of a great admiration for them, their skills and their hard work. Initially stationed in Pioneer Hill on the 38th Parallel, his account describes in detail the hugely challenging conditions under which they lived and fought, much of it like WWI. His narrative offers powerful insights into the trials associated with fighting, the personal impact and the ways in which soldiers were supported. He also highlights the factors that enable survival in these conditions, including the value of the close bond forged between soldiers. Finally, he offers his reflections on the necessity of war.

Major Freddie Hunn's extensive account offers a profound insight into his remarkable military service. Driven by limited job opportunities and influenced by stories from his friends, Freddie was inspired to enlist in the 12th Royal Lancers, an armoured car regiment, in 1937. Over the course of the Second World War, he served at the forefront of some of its most pivotal campaigns, from the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France to the unforgiving deserts of North Africa. When war broke out, Freddie was deployed to France with the BEF. What began as a period of relative inactivity during the harsh winter of 1939-40 quickly turned to chaos as the German Blitzkrieg unfolded. Freddie and his regiment endured a continual retreat to the coast, witnessing the devastation of strafing Stuka attacks and aiding in the evacuation of thousands at De Panne. Freddie’s journey continued with a convoy voyage across the Atlantic to North Africa, where he became a "Desert Rat." There, he faced daily threats from shells, relentless Stuka bombings, and gruelling conditions: in particular the limited water supply. He witnessed firsthand the toll of war, as many comrades succumbed to the debilitating effects of shell shock amidst relentless bombardments. Among his extraordinary experiences were leading a daring attack on a German convoy near Benghazi and navigating a minefield in Tunisia. From the chaos of Dunkirk to the pivotal Battle of El Alamein and countless close calls, Freddie’s service was marked by extraordinary bravery and incredible luck. His reflections not only shed light on the realities of war but also pay tribute to the courage, sacrifices, and profound cost borne by those who served.

Hearing what was happening in Europe, Sidney joined the territorials in 1937 ahead of being called up in 1939. He remembers his excitement at being able to walk away from his desk job and there being people out on the streets cheering and waving at the heroes going to war. Sidney joined the Royal Corps of Signals which he admits he knew nothing about and at times struggled with the technical work. There was a lot of training in Morse Code in particular. After a year’s training Sidney was sent to Africa. The Italians had landed in Egypt and their mission was to stop them taking Cairo. It was on a mission in Tobruk that Sidney experienced warfare full on, witnessing the death and devastation caused by previous battles and experiencing the immediate loss of a man when a truck hit a mine, all while guns were continually firing. Sidney remembers coming across the body of an Italian soldier and the futility of war hitting him hard. That said, Sidney thinks his time in the army was ultimately worthwhile, there was no question about having to defeat the Nazis. Sidney also spent time in Greece attached to the 7^th Armoured Division, aka the Desert Rats, but the German forces were so strong they were forced to evacuate. Sidney recalls in blistering detail their attempted escape on the HMS Carlisle, how they were hit and had to change course for Crete where Sidney ended up in the Battle of Crete which he remembers vividly.