Having lived through WWII as a child, Michael was conscripted at age 18. He trained as an anti-tank gunner in Norfolk and then sailed for Korea on the Emperor Orwell in late August 1950. He and his compatriots were among the first British regiments to go to Korea. He tells of the journey to Korea, stopping in Egypt, Ceylon, Singapore and Hong Kong. Life on board ship involved training on what to expect, as well as practice on the 17 pounder anti-tank gun. Michael describes a 24-hour train journey to Britannia camp after arriving in Pusan. From there he tells of day-to-day life, fighting trench warfare, primarily on 355 hill (Kowang Sang). Conditions were very challenging; they lived in a constant state of alertness, remaining in their clothes and boots as they had to be prepared to fight at a moment’s notice. Suffering frequent mortar bombardment and attacks by the PVA, Michael describes in detail the measures they had to take to counteract these attacks and the importance of keeping going despite the fear. He returned home after two years and tells of his frustration that the Korean war appears to have been forgotten.

Bert Crane started work in a factory making military components at 14, but volunteered for the Reconnaissance Corps at 17 despite this being a reserved occupation. In 1944 he completed extensive and varied training for this specialist role, which he believes was comprehensive. In January 1945 he joined C Squadron 43rd (Wessex) Reconnaissance Regiment as a replacement gunner/operator in an armoured car, serving through to the end of hostilities. In an excellent account that blends operational details with personal reflection, he notes that his first instruction on joining his unit was to forget everything he had learned, which was good advice because on his first night patrol he returned fire without waiting for orders; however, when he saw the dead body next day, it caused a moment of reflection. On another occasion they spent 5 hours carefully covering 5 miles of forest, fearing contact, only to find the terrain had already been taken. He recalls the impact of taking casualties in a tight-knit unit in the last days of the war, and how a final task was cancelled. He believes he was lucky because the Germans were retreating by the time he joined, though he remembers being afraid and the risks they took.

At only seventeen years of age, Lieann joined the WRAC so she could travel and see the world. Lieann describes working hard at Guildford and her amazement at the rate in which young women transformed into soldiers within only six weeks. After excelling in her aptitude tests she was posted to Catterick to train as a data telegraphist. Lieann discusses developments in technology and the transition to computers in 1989. She also describes the introduction of weapons training across WRAC trades, and how she could feel the change happening within the female corps. During her time in communications, Lieann was posted to the nuclear bunker in Wilton and recalls the enhanced security measures in place during Cold War exercises. She was then posted to the Falklands and later Cyprus where she re-badged with the Royal Signals. At this point the WRAC had been disbanded and Lieann permanently signed on to the ninth Signal Regiment. During her time in Cyprus she fell pregnant and continued to serve until her last few weeks. She was one of the first women to serve in the army whilst pregnant, and although this marked an important moment in military history - Lieann describes the lack of emotional, financial and even uniform support offered to her during her pregnancy. A woman who truly pushed boundaries, we thank Lieann for her brilliant interview and her candour surrounding women's experiences within the WRAC.