Colonel R.K. Montgomery shares his story as a British Army officer during World War II. Coming from a family with a strong military background, Montgomery joined the Royal Engineers in 1939. Early in the war, he faced the fast advance of German forces and had to pull back from France to England. His interest in explosives led him to join the Commandos, a special unit trained for tough missions. In his role he trained other Commandos in using explosives. His skills were crucial during the St. Nazaire Raid, a mission to destroy a key German port. During the raid, they completed their mission under heavy enemy fire but were eventually captured by German forces. Montgomery spent time as a prisoner of war in Oflag IX-A/H Spangenberg Germany. He faced many hardships but also showed great resilience to make it through his imprisonment. After the war, he continued his military service in Malaya, working in engineering roles. His story is a powerful example of bravery, skill, and dedication.

Brian Daley initially trained as a signaller in the Royal Signals when he was called up for national service in 1951. In this interview he recalls how during his signal training he realised he instead wanted to volunteer for the Royal Military Police and fight in Korea. Excited to embark on a new journey, Brian began his police detachment training. Brian remembers his voyage to the Far East and albeit rough at sea, he enthusiastically discusses the details of each port and country in which they stopped on route. As part of the police detachment unit, his role was to patrol the docks for suspicious activity. Brian was first stationed in Kure, and eventually made his way to Busan. He remembers that by the time of his arrival in Busan the war was almost over and thus he was only required for general policing. Reflecting on the Korean war Brian does not remember the fighting due to his positioning but will always remember the local Korean people whom he met on his journey. In this interview he reminds of the importance of documenting and remembering not only the war, but those who lost their lives.

At only seventeen years of age, Lieann joined the WRAC so she could travel and see the world. Lieann describes working hard at Guildford and her amazement at the rate in which young women transformed into soldiers within only six weeks. After excelling in her aptitude tests she was posted to Catterick to train as a data telegraphist. Lieann discusses developments in technology and the transition to computers in 1989. She also describes the introduction of weapons training across WRAC trades, and how she could feel the change happening within the female corps. During her time in communications, Lieann was posted to the nuclear bunker in Wilton and recalls the enhanced security measures in place during Cold War exercises. She was then posted to the Falklands and later Cyprus where she re-badged with the Royal Signals. At this point the WRAC had been disbanded and Lieann permanently signed on to the ninth Signal Regiment. During her time in Cyprus she fell pregnant and continued to serve until her last few weeks. She was one of the first women to serve in the army whilst pregnant, and although this marked an important moment in military history - Lieann describes the lack of emotional, financial and even uniform support offered to her during her pregnancy. A woman who truly pushed boundaries, we thank Lieann for her brilliant interview and her candour surrounding women's experiences within the WRAC.