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.

Hester reflects on her six and a half years of service during World War II, beginning with her motivations to join after witnessing the growing threat in 1936 Germany. Initially involved in the Red Cross and later the FANYs (First Aid Nursing Yeomanry), she trained in driving and basic mechanics, working under tough conditions. She served as an ambulance driver and later as a staff car driver for a brigadier during the Blitz, then rose to officer rank, overseeing women operating radar and artillery equipment. Despite hardships, poor accommodation, difficult vehicles, and ill-fitting uniforms, she recalls camaraderie, humour, and purpose. Her later postings included Ireland and Egypt, with a rewarding trip through the Middle East. Hester also appeared in wartime propaganda photos, helping shift public perceptions of women in service. She recalls both the challenges and deep friendships, describing the experiences as hard work, friendship and challenge.   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.