Ron Smith grew up in an Army family but chose the Royal Marines, earning his green beret after tough commando training. Selected for service in Korea, he was sent to Camp McGill in Japan where, alongside the US Marines, he prepared for daring night raids along the Korean coast. He remembers his first mission vividly, and speaks warmly of his commanding officer, Colonel Drysdale, whom he calls “one of the finest officers I’ve ever met.”

In his interview, Ron shares striking memories: the tension of stealth landings nearly betrayed by barking dogs, the shock of Chinese forces entering the war, and the fierce fighting at the Chosin Reservoir. He recalls the eerie sound of enemy bugles, the trauma of combat, and the shrapnel wound that saw him evacuated to Japan. Later, he rejoined his unit for raids from Wonsan Harbour.

Ron reflects too on everyday encounters: the plight of Korean civilians, the adoption of a local child, and the lasting impact of a conflict often called the “Forgotten War.” Returning decades later, he marvelled at South Korea’s transformation.

With a father in the Admiralty, Lord Alan spent his childhood around dockyards and naval bases including travelling to Singapore on a troop ship and almost being blown up by Malayan terrorists. He always wanted to go to sea and joined the navy in 1965. He first spent time in the Middle East as a midshipman which was incredibly dangerous but also exciting. Lord Alan’s next posting was to the Falklands with HMS Ardent where he was involved in bombarding Goose Green. He speaks candidly and in incredible detail about this time and how he felt as a young commanding officer knowing his ship was dangerously exposed. He talks about the enormous bravery of the crew and how he carried the weight of those killed and injured. Ultimately, they come under heavy fire and he gives the extremely difficult order to abandon ship. For his actions on HMS Ardent, Lord Alan received the Distinguished Service Cross. Following this, Lord Alan then joins the Ministry of Defence where he witnessed the Hong Kong Handover, the Kosovo War, the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan and by 2002 became the First Sea Lord for the invasion of Iraq. He recalls how it was fascinating to see intelligence come together but also how he could be under pressure to produce evidence. Finally, Lord Alan joins Gordon Brown’s government as Security Minister. He brings incredible knowledge and direct experience to the roll, far above that of the civil servants and other ministers. He is proud his efforts have kept the country safer, though sad that it is not completely safe.

Maurice joined the Navy in 1946 and trained as an air mechanic. He was assigned to HMS Ocean, an aircraft carrier, in 1951. In 1952 they sailed to the Middle East to reinforce the British presence in Egypt after the fall of King Farouk. He and several other crewmen spent time at an RAF airfield in the desert during the unrest when some British troops were attacked. After this they sailed to Malta to complete pilot training and then proceeded to Korea to join the British forces fighting in the Korean War, arriving in early 1953. The ship was equipped with the Hawker Sea Fury and the Fairey Firefly. They were stationed off the east coast of Korea, out of range of enemy mine laying boats. From here the aircraft would support Allied ground troops, the Furies sometimes escorting the Fireflies as these carried heavier bombs to attack targets like bridges. Their ship travelled to Japanese ports such as Sasebo or Kure to refuel and rearm and during these times he was able to take shore leave. During operations the aircraft were in constant use during the day and at night Maurice and his comrades worked on the aircraft, preparing them for operation the next day. After the armistice he returned on the troopship HMT Dunera, which was also carrying POWs who had been held by North Korea. Many were traumatised and some had been tortured by their captors. At least two of them committed suicide on the trip home.