"You could say I had a fortunate life really." Dick West recalls his time as an Engineering Artificer (ER2) during World War II in the Royal Navy, following in his father’s footsteps. Follow his journey from Chatham Tech (A.K.A Collingwood) through to his first posting in Portsmouth to Torpoint (Cornwall) all the way north to Scapa Flow. His time on the Destroyer called Oribi and the Sheffield “Shiny Sheff” (cruiser). Dick recalls life in the mess on a boat, the roles he had in supporting the Cruiser and places they visited and friends they made along the way, including Canadians. From Scottish ports, to Icelandic fronts (Akureyri, Hvalfjordur), to the Arctic Sea Battle of Scharnhorst alongside the Belfast and The Norfolk, fighting off German tanks in Italy. Dick recalls a lot of spent time in the Arctic Circle but also making stops in the Med and North Africa before finishing in Canada and the USA (picking up parts from General Electric).  

When Patricia Parker turned 18, two years after the Second World War had begun, she was eager to do her bit, and as soon as she was called up she joined the WRNS (Women’s Royal Naval Service). After completing her training in Kent, Patricia was sent to HMS Ceres in Wetherby, Yorkshire, where her job was to rate new recruits and decide which ships they would be drafted to. Recalling that 500 ratings passed through the station every eight weeks, she shares her emotional reflections on the uncertainty of their futures. Patricia also highlights the crucial role of the convoys in keeping Britain fed during the war; fondly remembers the regular dances hosted by the RAF, Navy or Army, at which many people found romance; and vividly recalls the build-up to D-Day, when England’s roads were lined with men and machinery in preparation for the invasion. Patricia’s reflections offer a poignant glimpse into the experiences of those who worked quietly yet valiantly behind the scenes. From the uncertainty faced by countless new recruits to the camaraderie and brief moments of joy shared within the ranks, her memories paint a vivid picture of resilience, duty and the human experience of war.