Between 1967 and 1971, Bob Barrett served in the Life Guards, with hopes of going abroad and learning to drive. Instead, he remained in London, where it soon became apparent he’d be swapping cars for horses. Life in the Army took some initial getting used to: the living conditions at Pirbright and Wellington barracks were shocking, however Bob took naturally to the horses during his time in riding school. Despite a lack of experience, he grew quickly in confidence, and it wasn’t long before he was well on his way to becoming a competent rider. Ahead of duties, he also took on the important job of caring for the horses' kit: with the looming prospect of inspections, it wasn’t uncommon for men to spend hours cleaning their equipment, often into the early hours of the morning.  For Bob, his first Trooping of the Colour very nearly ended in misfortune, after almost losing his boots during the parade. It’s a humorous anecdote, however service in the Life Guards was highly disciplined, and in this film Bob recalls occasions where other men were not so lucky.  Although his involvement in the Army was different to what he’d originally imagined, Bob considers his time as a Life Guard to have benefited him greatly, and recounts the range of interesting people he was able to meet as a result. In this interview he provides an amusing and candid insight into his career, and remains very proud of his time in service. 

Kevin recounts his journey into the Royal Medical Corps of the Army, which led him to serve aboard HMS Sir Galahad during the Falklands War. Kevin is from Middlesbrough and had always dreamed of joining the Navy, after going to art college he ended up joining the Army and trained as a medic in 1977. As a combat medical assistant, he was told that he was a soldier first and a medic second, which required rigorous training. Kevin gained valuable experience treating casualties during two tours in Northern Ireland before being deployed to the Falklands. While aboard HMS Sir Galahad, Kevin faced constant threats from Argentinian bombers, his bravery enabled him to treat many injured soldiers, including saving the life of a Section Corporal. When the ship was hit Kevin became the last surviving medic onboard, escaping with a group of soldiers to Fitzroy Bay, where they watched the ship burn. Kevin continued to care for the wounded on the hospital ship, SS Uganda before returning home to a celebratory welcome from John Nott, the Secretary of State for Defence. In 1990, Kevin’s career took him to Saudi Arabia, where he served as a guard and ration storeman. Kevin discusses his memories of these experiences and his PTSD diagnosis.

Major Freddie Hunn's extensive account offers a profound insight into his remarkable military service. Driven by limited job opportunities and influenced by stories from his friends, Freddie was inspired to enlist in the 12th Royal Lancers, an armoured car regiment, in 1937. Over the course of the Second World War, he served at the forefront of some of its most pivotal campaigns, from the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France to the unforgiving deserts of North Africa. When war broke out, Freddie was deployed to France with the BEF. What began as a period of relative inactivity during the harsh winter of 1939-40 quickly turned to chaos as the German Blitzkrieg unfolded. Freddie and his regiment endured a continual retreat to the coast, witnessing the devastation of strafing Stuka attacks and aiding in the evacuation of thousands at De Panne. Freddie’s journey continued with a convoy voyage across the Atlantic to North Africa, where he became a "Desert Rat." There, he faced daily threats from shells, relentless Stuka bombings, and gruelling conditions: in particular the limited water supply. He witnessed firsthand the toll of war, as many comrades succumbed to the debilitating effects of shell shock amidst relentless bombardments. Among his extraordinary experiences were leading a daring attack on a German convoy near Benghazi and navigating a minefield in Tunisia. From the chaos of Dunkirk to the pivotal Battle of El Alamein and countless close calls, Freddie’s service was marked by extraordinary bravery and incredible luck. His reflections not only shed light on the realities of war but also pay tribute to the courage, sacrifices, and profound cost borne by those who served.