John Ingle grew up in rural Cambridgeshire during the Second World War, he witnessed aerial combat above his home, saw the effects of bombing at close hand and developed a lifelong love of farming and the countryside. Like many young men of his generation, he expected his future to lie elsewhere. National Service changed everything. Originally hoping for a career in agriculture, John instead found himself in uniform, first training in England before travelling across the world to Hong Kong and eventually Korea. Serving with the Royal Fusiliers, he became a transport driver – a role that demanded skill, courage and nerves of steel. Driving alone at night on narrow mountain roads without lights, often under enemy fire, John experienced a very different side of the Korean War. His story reveals the hidden dangers faced by the men who kept the front line supplied: carrying ammunition, transporting troops, recovering casualties and navigating some of the most difficult terrain imaginable. Along the way, John encountered extraordinary characters. He recalls Cockney Fusiliers who became lifelong comrades, soldiers struggling with the psychological strain of war, acts of remarkable bravery and moments of humanity that have remained with him for more than seventy years. His memories also extend beyond the battlefield. He describes the poverty he witnessed among Korean civilians, the kindness of local people, the friendships formed within the regiment and the experiences that shaped him long after National Service ended. Thoughtful, candid and often humorous, John’s interview provides a vivid account of a war that many people know little about, told by a man who remains deeply proud of his service and of the Royal Fusiliers.

Prior to enlisting in 1942, Terry lived through the Birmingham Blitz. The Army wasn’t his first choice but fear of heights ruled out the RAF and he definitely didn’t want to work as a stoker in the Navy so the Army it was, where Terry became trained in a new weapon, the Flail Tank. The Flail Tank took a lot of getting used to. The visibility was poor and this was a big issue when Terry landed on Juno beach. Another problem was the tank chains being blown off by mines. Eventually, the tank became stranded and as Terry sought cover he stood on a mine. Thankfully, the mine was defective but no sooner had he survived this scrape when he encountered an anti-tank mine, again, somehow remaining unhurt. While repairing the tanks, Terry’s group suffered heavy losses in a German attack. From that point on the tank crews were under manned and Terry became a gunner. Terry shares his recollections of moving through France including an attack on an underground radar station, the Battle of Le Havre, the fight to take Carpiquet and how he thinks he made it through thanks to the cool, calm nature of his driver, Ben. Terry also recollects a local family they would spend time with, sharing food, singing songs and looking out for each other. Terry went back about 10 years ago and was able to find one of the children, now a woman in her fifties. Terry ended the war in Germany then spent 12 months in Palestine.