Stephen Jackson offers a powerful and emotional account of his time with the Northumberland Fusiliers during the Aden Emergency. Joining the army straight out of school at 15, Stephen quickly found himself posted to Germany as a company clerk, where his early days were marked by camaraderie, tough men, and even a memorable ski trip. However, everything changed when he was deployed to Aden in 1966. The scorching heat hit him first, followed by the tense atmosphere as he arrived at camp in a guarded truck. As a company clerk, his duties were largely administrative, but when out in the field, the situation could be terrifying. Stationed in the volatile Crater district, the role of the Fusiliers was to try and keep the peace between the NLF and FLOSY using foot patrols and roadblocks. One of his most harrowing memories is of the day the local police mutinied, resulting in the loss of several close comrades. After Aden, Stephen was posted to Belfast during the Troubles, completing four tours before finishing his service in Gibraltar. Reflecting on his experiences, he shares how the trauma from Aden has stayed with him, leading to PTSD. Despite the hardships, Stephen’s story is one of courage and resilience.

John Juby completed an apprenticeship as a cabinet maker before he was called up as a National Serviceman at 20, serving as a corporal in the Royal Norfolk Regiment in Korea. After initial training, he was sent to Korea, celebrating his 21st birthday en route. His journey to Korea included a stop in Hong Kong, where he had a chance encounter with his uncle, a Royal Navy officer. In Korea, he was part of the pioneer platoon and looked after the Korean porters who introduced him to local food, often lacking in hygiene. During his time in Korea, John Juby had various experiences that left a lasting impact. One of the most harrowing aspects of his service was dealing with the casualties, including his school friend, Roy MacDonald, who was killed by a mortar round. He also experienced the stress of friendly fire incidents and the harsh realities of war. Despite these hardships, he maintained a sense of duty and camaraderie with his fellow soldiers.