Michael White grew up in wartime England, facing rationing and Nazi air raids. At 18, Michael signed up for National Service and trained as a driver for the Royal Artillery. In August 1951, he travelled on the Empire Fowey for his first deployment in the Far East. After reaching Japan, he was sent to Kowloon, Hong Kong, where he learnt about the brutal fighting in Korea. Soon after, he was chosen for duty in Korea. Before leaving, he trained with mortars and became a Technical Assistant Royal Artillery (TARA). Michael recalls how he used 4.2 mortars against the enemy and his experience of napalm. Soldiers experienced very rough conditions, dealing with lice and long periods without washing. During rest and recuperation in Incheon and Hiroshima, Michael experienced Asian culture and much-needed relaxation. He fondly remembers flying over Mount Fuji and notes that many soldiers took photos beside signposts showing how far away home was. Michael has since returned to Korea, witnessing its amazing transformation. For his service, the Koreans awarded him a medal and invited him to visit a memorial in Pusan, honouring those who died.

Harry joined the Home Guard at 15 and learned how to use a rifle as well as searching for bombing victims in east London. In 1942, aged 16, Harry lied about his age and joined the army later transferring to the Royal Armoured Corps where he trained as a radio operator/driver, but he did not enjoy life in tanks and soon volunteered to join another army unit where they wanted radio skills. He went on to be trained in signals, the use of a variety of weapons and explosives, some language skills and parachuting. He was eventually told this was Operation Jedburgh and he was teamed up with a British Officerr and a young Frenchman. In July 1944 his team was parachuted into western France, where they eventually teamed up with the resistance group, the Maquis. His team managed to get into the town of La Rochelle, home of a German Submarine base where they were able to monitor the movements and positioning of the German defenders. With the Maquis, Harry later derailed a troop train and blew up a water tower. Harry left France in November 1944 and returned to England, when he volunteered to go on another Jedburgh mission to the Far East…