Alan Johnson served in the Royal Navy from 1943 to 1947. The son of a professional Manchester city footballer he was enlisted as an Able Seaman on the Minesweeper HMS Onyx. In his expansive interview he talks in detail about his life onboard and the work he was involved in. He describes the mine clearing procedure in depth and the particular threats the ship faced day and night. The Onyx operated both in the Balkan seas on the Russian convoys and in the English Channel during the Normandy invasion. Alan shares entertaining memories from them all.

Eric Conway joined the Royal Navy at the young age of 16, starting his service on the very day World War II broke out. He served as a Leading Telegraphist, specialising in communications and coding. Eric's submarine experience was primarily on U-class submarines, known for their small size and challenging conditions. He was involved in several significant events during the war, including the tragic PQ17 convoy, where his submarine was part of a screen protecting merchant ships from German U-boats. Eric witnessed the devastating aftermath of the convoy's scattering, resulting in the loss of numerous ships. He also had close encounters with German U-boats, including one instance where his submarine fired a torpedo and engaged in a gun battle with a U-boat. Eric's wartime experiences took a toll on his mental health, leading to a period of hospitalisation and a change in his service category. Despite the hardships he faced, he completed his service and carried the memories and impact of the war with him throughout his life.

Doug Shelley served as an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy during World War II, joining at 17. Inspired by family members who served before him, he volunteered in 1942 and underwent rigorous training at HMS Glendower in Wales, where he adapted to military life. He was assigned to the Arctic Convoys aboard HMS Milne, enduring some of the harshest conditions of the war. He faced freezing temperatures, U-boat and air attacks, and witnessed the devastating toll on merchant ships. He recounted rescuing survivors from torpedoed vessels in the icy Barents Sea, many already frozen and lost. Doug's role as a gun layer required precision and resilience, particularly during battles with U-boats and harsh storms. Later, he served in the Pacific on HMS Armada, assisting carrier operations and rescuing downed pilots, often navigating the intense heat of Australia and Fiji. Doug also travelled aboard HMS Anson, the battleship that brought him home, and served briefly at HMS Golden Hind, a dispersal camp in Australia. Reflecting on his service, Doug recalls the physical and emotional challenges, as well as the pride in completing his duty. His stories reveal the personal grit and endurance required to navigate the realities of naval warfare.