Growing up in Cosford during the Second World War, Geoffrey Grimley became familiar with military surroundings from a young age. School geography lessons instilled in him an interest in Japan, and when conscription came at 19 years old, he registered with a preference to be stationed in the far-East. Geoffrey's childhood near an RAF base discouraged him from the airforce, so he instead became listed as a Signalman. The 6-month training period Geoffrey completed in Catterick taught him to decipher up to 14 words of Morse Code per minute. After a single excursion to a firing range, Geoffrey boarded a Devonshire 'Bibby Line' to Singapore. The journey took six weeks, and just a few weeks after his arrival, he journeyed on to Hong Kong. One bad winter later, Geoffrey left Kowloon Harbour to the sound of the Royal Ulster Rifles Pipe Band for the final leg of his journey to Korea. He arrived with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers on St. George's Day, 1951. Geoffrey recalls unsettled weather, mischievous tank drivers, and entertainment within his Brigade, including a boxing match between the KOSBs and a professional Filipino sportsman. Geoffrey was soon stationed at the Battle of Kapyong. Geoffrey's interview was cut short before sharing further details of his service due to his feeling unwell, but the beginning of his story creates a vivid, and at times, humorous, picture of his journey to becoming a Signalman.

Bill Campbell describes his journey from the forests and farms of northern Scotland, joining up in the Black Watch Regiment and being transferred to Germany. He shares his experiences of post-war Germany from the devastation of the city of Cologne to the relationship with the locals. He also describes how he ended up volunteering for what was to become the Berlin Airlift. With humour Bill recalls the daily logistical challenges of the Berlin Airlift, meeting Montgomery and a riding encounter with Hitler's horse. His interview highlights the important role the British Army played in the Berlin Airlift, the daily risks that were taken to keep the vital air corridor open. Bill's story is a reminder that volunteering for missions can sometimes take you in unexpected directions.