Daphne Brookes tells how in 1943, after watching a recruitment film and without her parent’s knowledge, she enlisted in the army.  She was just eighteen years old. After a period of basic training, Daphne was sent to the Isle of Man for six months for wireless training, after which she was posted to Kedleston Hall near Derby. She describes her work covering radio stations, which often had a considerable amount of interference, and writing down five letter blocks of code which dispatch riders took away. She comments that she had no real clue about what happened to them, or about the existence of Bletchley Park. At the time, no unnecessary information was disclosed, but Daphne was, in fact, working at one of the ‘Y Service’ secret wireless intercept stations which provided raw material for the codebreakers. She describes herself as ‘a very very small cog in a big wheel’ but is proud of the part she played.

Freddie Montgomery recounts her experience in Germany during the Berlin airlift, from being assigned overseas when she was nineteen to the eventual lifting of the blockade during her tenure in the WRAC. Although she initially wanted to become a military policewoman, a position opened overseas, sending her to Germany and then, eventually, Berlin to help during the blockade. Freddie recalls her time in Berlin, primarily working in administration, and her sympathy towards struggling elder Germans, fear of Russian soldiers, and the lack of food during the airlifts. Nevertheless, Freddie reminisces on her time in Berlin with fondness, and explains how the Germans largely welcomed British troops, socialising with other sectors, and enjoying cultural activities like visiting the cinema and playing sports when she wasn't working. Later in life, Freddie became a minister in the Church, which was a choice heavily inspired by her experiences working during the airlift. Despite loving her time in Berlin, Freddie remembers the poverty she saw, and the amount of loved ones she saw die. Freddie's work as a minister still brings her in contact with the Berlin blockade today, as she recounts how she met some German people in the cathedral who expressed gratitude for British aid during the Berlin blockade, and Freddie is similarly aware of the impact of the airlift on her today.

Kriss Akabusi shares his journey from an army signaller to a British Olympic athlete. He joined the army as a data telephonist and embraced the cutting-edge technology of the time. Initially stationed in Germany with the 22 Signals, he found the transition from a care home to military life smoother than expected. Despite his dedication to the Signals, Kriss's talent on the track led him to the Army Physical Training Corps in 1982. He emphasises the influence of role models in the army and candidly discusses his lack of understanding about the army's function, particularly in light of the Falklands Conflict. His decision to leave the army turned him into a key figure in UK sports. He won medals for Great Britain from 1983 – 1992, and still holds the British record over 400m hurdles at 47.82 seconds. Kriss reflects on the significance of joining the army and openly shares his thoughts on young British soldiers in current conflicts. His story is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of military service.