In May 1943, Cyril Standiford joined the Royal Navy. Aged only 18, he worked as a seaman-gunner on board the control ship HMS Fratton, as preparations for Operation Neptune began to take shape.   On the morning of the 6th June 1944, Cyril and his crew landed at Gold Beach, Normandy, to the overwhelming sight of heavy smoke and the sound of gunfire. In this interview, he recalls the terrifying moment HMS Fratton was hit by a torpedo, causing it to rapidly sink. 31 crew members died, and as a result of the explosion Cyril, who was positioned on one of the ship's gun platforms, was thrown into the water. He awoke hours later in an Army Hospital, having suffered a crush fracture of the spine and two busted knees, which required the long-term use of calipers. After being evacuated back to the UK on board a landing craft, he was moved through various hospitals before eventually finishing in one just outside of Aberdeen, Scotland.  Following the war, Cyril paid regular visits to Ryes Cemetery in France, and was even able to help other families uncover what happened to their loved ones on board HMS Fratton. In this film, he remarks what it was like to ‘cheat death’, and reflects on how young many of the sailors were who lost their lives during D-Day.

Robert Watts, an electrician on a tank landing craft, participated in the D-Day invasion at Juno Beach during World War II. He joined the Navy at eighteen and a half, and by the time of the invasion, he had nearly three years of training. Although not experienced in landings, his crew of fifteen was close-knit and well-prepared. On D-Day, rough seas caused significant seasickness among the troops on board. Despite the danger, Robert felt a strong sense of duty and discipline. He vividly recalls a humorous moment with a crewmate nicknamed "Bright Eyes", who was over-hyped. The landing was intense, with dive-bombing and mines, resulting in casualties. Robert was responsible for releasing the ramps and experienced a close call with a mine. The aftermath was harrowing, with dead soldiers and the challenge of helping troops navigate the water. Despite the chaos, Robert and his crew maintained their sense of humour and resilience, helping to transport supplies and German prisoners. Reflecting on these experiences helps Robert cope with life's challenges today.