Arthur Brown joined the army in 1943 as a radio operator in the Tank Regiment but soon became fed up with the training and volunteered for the Special Operations Executive (SOE). He joined Operation Jedburgh, which involved three-man teams—an allied commanding officer, a radio operator, and a local officer—being parachuted behind enemy lines around D-Day to work with resistance fighters in France and the Low Countries. There were around 100 ‘Jedburgh’ teams deployed in the European theatre mainly between June and September 1944. On the 9th of June, Brown, now a Sergeant, his team leader, the highly decorated Scottish officer, Major Tommy MacPherson and a French officer, Michel ‘Bourbon’ were dropped into central France to assist the Maquis. The ‘Jedburgh’s were dressed in military uniform to avoid being executed as spies, if captured. Brown’s role was to send coded radio messages back to the UK updating their operations but he became ill and had to be hidden by the Maquis, being moved around to avoid detection. After France was liberated, he and MacPherson continued similar operations in Italy until the German surrender. When faced with a possible posting to Germany, Brown volunteered to go to Burma and served there with other former ‘Jedburghs’ until the war's end. 

Born in Manchester and raised in foster care, John Clarke became an apprentice at sixteen before joining The Black Watch, following in his grandfather’s footsteps. After training in Scotland as part of the 6th Battalion, he was deployed to Tunisia, where he fought at Sidi Medienne and helped rescue wounded prisoners from an enemy ship—a highlight of his service. He later trained in Cairo, before being stationed high up the Aurunci Mountains in Italy with the British division in the American 5th Army. John joined the 12th Brigade in Cassino and remembers the chaos around Monte Cassino monastery, the heavy casualties, and the many acts of bravery. Post-war, he joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, managing the armoury in Gaza. John reflects on his military career, recalling memorable moments including meeting Winston Churchill. For John, the friends he made during the war became the family he never had growing up.

Kevin recounts his journey into the Royal Medical Corps of the Army, which led him to serve aboard HMS Sir Galahad during the Falklands War. Kevin is from Middlesbrough and had always dreamed of joining the Navy, after going to art college he ended up joining the Army and trained as a medic in 1977. As a combat medical assistant, he was told that he was a soldier first and a medic second, which required rigorous training. Kevin gained valuable experience treating casualties during two tours in Northern Ireland before being deployed to the Falklands. While aboard HMS Sir Galahad, Kevin faced constant threats from Argentinian bombers, his bravery enabled him to treat many injured soldiers, including saving the life of a Section Corporal. When the ship was hit Kevin became the last surviving medic onboard, escaping with a group of soldiers to Fitzroy Bay, where they watched the ship burn. Kevin continued to care for the wounded on the hospital ship, SS Uganda before returning home to a celebratory welcome from John Nott, the Secretary of State for Defence. In 1990, Kevin’s career took him to Saudi Arabia, where he served as a guard and ration storeman. Kevin discusses his memories of these experiences and his PTSD diagnosis.