When Joe Pitcher was called up into the Royal Navy in 1941, his military career began at HMS Glendower, a training facility preparing sailors for service on defensively equipped merchant ships (DEMS). Throughout his ensuing service, Joe sailed on the coastal, Atlantic, Mediterranean and Pacific convoys. He shares his memories of how it felt each time he changed ship and had to get used to working with a completely new crew, and adapting to the ship’s life and rules. He also remembers with wry humour a number of near misses along the way, including a scramble to find an ammunition locker stopcock, dodging a bullet from a round accidentally fired off by a young sailor in the mess, and surviving two separate torpedo hits on the same ship. Joe’s service ended in Singapore where the true horrors of war were brought into sharp focus when the hospital ship he was on took aboard countless near-to-death POWs. With great modesty, Joe says he was glad to have been able to do his bit, and shares with deep emotion his gratitude for surviving the war when so many others weren’t so lucky.

Cyril Blackman joined the Royal Marines in May 1949. He undertook his training at Deal and then Bickley before being shipped to Malaya to join the 3^rd Commando Brigade. Upon reaching Asia, Cyril volunteered for Lieutenant Colonel Drysdale’s 41 Commandos and commenced training with American Marines at Camp McGill in Japan. Cyril’s role in Korea was to raid targets along the Korean coastline as part of Charlie troop, he was mostly tasked with defending the perimeter. When the raids became less effective Cyril’s troop was withdrawn and re-deployed to Korea to journey to Chosin reservoir. Cyril speaks of the bleak conditions on the ground in Korea, and how he was fortunate to be evacuated as a result of contracting pneumonia. When he recovered Cyril returned to raiding on Yodo island near Wansam harbour. Despite being stationed in North Korean waters Cyril faced little hostility; he believes this was because all enemy resources were focused on the front line. Cyril’s 12 months in Korea shed light on a war that should never be forgotten or overlooked. He will always hold dear his time in the 41 Commandos for the long lasting friendships he built.

Alec Penstone’s life took a big turn during World War II. Before the war, he worked in a factory and was only 14 years old when war broke out. He spent much of the early war days in London as a volunteer ARP messenger during 'The Blitz'. He then joined the Royal Navy in 1942. He wanted to have an adventure and help his country. Alec was posted onto HMS Campania as a submarine detector and quickly learned that life as a sailor was tough. HMS Campania was part of the Arctic convoys - ships that sailed from the United Kingdom, Iceland and North America to the northern ports in the Soviet Union in very cold waters. He helped hunt for enemy submarines called U-boats. It was hard and scary work. When the war comes to an end in Europe, Alec is given 7 days VE leave in which he gets married before being sent off to the Far East to fight the Japanese. However after the Hiroshima atom bomb was dropped, he was put on more general 'police work' duties. Alec's interview highlights how the sailors stuck together during tough times and gives great insight into what it was like to live on a ship during the war. His account reminds us that war is terrible. Many people lost their lives. But it also shows how strong people can be when they work together. His story helps us remember and honour the sailors who fought for their country during some of the darkest times in history.