Bill Walworth discusses his early career in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. At the time of the Argentine invasion of South Georgia, he was studying at the Staff College in Greenwich but knew that tensions were escalating. He joined the stores ship Saxonia in April 1982, shortly after the sinking of HMS Sheffield and describes how wartime conditions altered the ship's operations. Adaptable to life aboard the Saxonia with its 28 crew, Bill details the ship’s role in storing and organising supplies. He recounts the Saxonia’s challenges, including the impact of the Atlantic Conveyor’s sinking and difficulties anchoring in South Georgia. Upon returning to Ascension, Bill drafted reports about the Royal Fleet Auxiliary [RFA] and began a distinguished career, reflecting on how the Falklands conflict shaped the RFA’s future role in the Royal Navy.

Margaret Pawley was born in Germany to British parents, she moved back to England in her childhood. During the war her father recommended she sign up for the SEO (Secret Operations Executive), thinking her ability to speak German would make her a great asset. She interviewed at Baker street and was accepted, she completed 8 days of training at the FANY cipher school before being sent to Cairo. She worked in the signals office for a while before being sent to Italy. She was stationed there for a couple of months, before someone noticed she could speak German, because of this, she was transferred to an intelligence branch where she began to listen and decode German transmissions so that she could track their movements. Margaret reflects on the highs and lows of her wartime experience. Deadly illnesses were very common, and she recalls many of her comrades died to sickness. She herself suffered ringworm and jaundice due to the lack of fresh food. However, she also cherishes the friendships she made and the support among her peers. She continued her duties until the war's end, she was sent to Scotland to assist the injured before being demobbed in December. She recalls how the FANYs began and the different roles these women had throughout the years. She talks about how it developed into the SOE and how the FANYs were used as a cover for its female operatives. The role of the FANYs was recognised by Major-General Sir Colin McVean Gubbins, acknowledging he couldn’t have run the SOE without the women of FANY.

Content warning// This interview contains discussions of sensitive topics such as PTSD, depression and suicidal thoughts which some viewers may find distressing. If you are affected by these topics, please consider seeking support from a trusted person or organisation.

Louise Reynolds has been married to Chris Reynolds for 20 years, sharing a life shaped by his service in the infantry as a rifleman and ambulance driver. Originally from Doncaster, Chris served three tours, working gruelling shifts and long days. His deployment to Iraq during Operation Telic was particularly harrowing, with limited resources and intense danger. In one instance, he saved a fellow soldier who lost his arm in an accident. Meanwhile, Louise entered military life with a romanticised vision of adventure and travel, but quickly realised its reality was far different. Constant upheaval, isolation, and the loss of her own identity made Louise find solace in the close-knit community of army wives in Germany.  Chris’s return from his final tour marked the beginning of an uphill battle. Withdrawn and irritable, he struggled with PTSD. Despite the medical team’s support, the army’s dismissive attitude repeatedly undermined his recovery. Sent on a life-fire exercise in Canada despite his worsening condition, Chris called Louise in a state of distress, leading to his urgent return to the UK. Facing stigma and little support, they fought for his medical discharge after 15 years of service. Adjusting to civilian life also proved challenging. Though the Combat Stress charity provided some treatment, Louise often felt alone in managing the daily impact. She recalls Chris longing for visible scars as proof of his suffering to a world that couldn’t see his wounds. Their turning point came through Phoenix House, Band of Brothers, and Band of Sisters. Louise highlights the importance of these networks; Chris’s journey led him to speak at a school about mental health. Now, Louise, dedicates herself to fundraising for mental health initiatives, determined to ensure that other families receive similar support.