Bernard Lynham joined the 46 Commando, Royal Marines, just before turning 18, inspired by his brother’s long service in the Marines. He quickly adapted to the gruelling training, enduring speed marches, cliff climbing, and parachute jumps in Scotland while always carrying his full kit. This demanding preparation forged a deep sense of camaraderie among the men, who often pooled their money for nights out, creating bonds that would be tested in the battles ahead. Deployed to Normandy shortly after D-Day, Bernard faced the harsh realities of war as he and his comrades embarked on dangerous night patrols, scouting for German positions. It was during one of these missions that a seemingly minor moment would become a pivotal point in Bernard’s life. As he paused to adjust his bootlace, an event occurred that would change everything, leaving him with injuries that ultimately ended his active service. Though he escaped death that day, the experience left him with wounds that would trouble him for years to come. Despite the trauma, Bernard speaks with pride about his time in the Royal Marines, remembering the loyalty, bravery, and unbreakable spirit of his fellow Commandos. After the war, Bernard resumed civilian life, working for the electricity board for 35 years, but his memories of Normandy and the comrades he lost have never faded. Interviewed when he was in his 90s, Bernard’s story is a poignant reminder of the resilience and courage of those who served, offering a glimpse into the life of a true wartime hero.

Ishbel had experience with the University Officers Training Corps (OTC) and the Territorial Army (TA) before she joined the WRAC in 1985. She had trained as a pharmacist at university and it was only after graduating she considered joining the army. She recalls Crusade Eight as the first major operation she worked on alongside the local infantry unit. Ishbel describes how in this role, aside from escorting VIPS, most of the women would take on administrative work. She was then posted to C Company in Grangemouth as a Platoon Commander and comments on the changing atmosphere surrounding women's treatment in the early 1980s. Ishbel also describes how in the OTC and the TA women were afforded more opportunities, such as weapons and armed combat training, whereas the WRAC were only just introducing weapons training. From this point Ishbel underwent a series of role changes within the army; she traveled to Sandhurst, Catterick, Cyprus, Northern Ireland, and London where she completed her Masters in Administration. At Porton Down, she revisited her pharmacist experience and worked with scientists to develop pharmaceutical and technological military defences. Ishbel went on to become an Adjutant General in Bosnia, the Balkans, then a Lieutenant Colonel in Cyprus and a medic in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Reflecting on the WRAC, Ishbel feels that it gave her the grounding to begin her wider military career. An inspiring interview, we thank Ishbel for her incredible stories and for being a trailblazing woman.

Originating from a military background, Julia recalls how it was somewhat inevitable that would serve in the army. After excelling in the aptitude tests, she was offered a position in the Intelligence Corps. In her interview Julia remembers finding the transition into army life difficult and struggled with the uniform due to both its impracticality and restrictiveness. Additionally, she found the climate of fear surrounding the IRA shocking and saw many women horrified by threats they either personally, or by an extension of their trade, received. Julia was posted to former West Germany with the 13th Signal Regiment where she worked alongside Signals Personnel. Within this role she would map the movement of troops in East Germany and flag Russian tanks, and being her first time overseas, she reflects on this period as particularly exciting. After leaving in 1975, Julia went on to join the MET as she felt there were more equal opportunities for women in organisation's that didn't restrict roles to gender. She continued to work for the Intelligence Corps at GCHQ on the Palestinian desk for many years. Reflecting on the WRAC, Julia describes the potency of class divisions within the military and her frustrations with the gendered restrictions. She maintains however that the fundamentals of the WRAC gave her the determination to continue her work in intelligence and commends the importance of documenting a history of female veterans.