Bernard Cohen tells a fascinating account of his time as a Naval Airman during the Korean War. He began his initial training in Corsham, Wiltshire at the naval establishment, HMS Arthur. Following this, he served aboard HMS Illustrious for his Seamanship training and at HMS Gannet in Northern Ireland, he learned Firefighting and Air Traffic Control. Eventually, he was posted to serve aboard HMS Glory, spending much time in the Mediterranean before being deployed to Korea where he joined the war. As a member of the fly-deck party, his main responsibilities consisted of storing and positioning aircrafts of the airborne crew who came from offshore as well as helping them with landing and lifting off safely from the carrier. He has upsetting memories of the airmen who died in crashes, remembering how he had given each of them a thumbs up before flying only to never see them again. The ship was not immune to hazardous weather conditions and it was during his service when Typhoon Marge struck. Despite this issue, Bernard was fortunate to be with the first commission during the summer period when the storm was less severe compared to what the second and third commissions had to endure who arrived during the winter when conditions had worsened. Throughout his service in the war, Bernard never stepped ashore in any of the Korean harbours or port cities. He revisited Korea many years later when veterans of the war were invited to the country annually. He recalls the admiration and generosity of the Korean people, treating them like heroes for helping them in their time of need. Bernard's interview captures the bravery and sacrifice of those in the Navy who helped the Korean people, ensuring a better future for them and establishing a lasting bond for future generations.

John came from a Naval family, his father served as a seaman for 28 years and his brother also served as a seaman. He joined the Merchant Navy in 1949, serving on several different supply ships. His experiences took him to many countries in the world, including America, New Zealand and Japan. For most of his career John worked as cabin crew on supply ships supporting the war effort in Korea. He didn't feel he understood what was going on in Korea when he was first sent there. He didn't experience any direct involvement in armed conflict, but became aware of the impact of the war during those times the ship was in port in Pusan and other areas in South Korea. He describes life on board as boring and lived for the times when they arrived in port, where he and his crew mates would have many adventures. He has many stories to tell of these times. John reflects positively on the camaraderie that existed on board, among crew mates of many different backgrounds and nationalities. Sadly, John was unable to continue his naval career due to contracting TB and missed the camaraderie of naval life after being medically discharged.

When war broke out, 20-year-old Irene Bellamy was evacuated from Bristol to Chipping Sodbury, where she worked for a time as secretary to well-known aeroplane designer Basil Henderson. Although she found the job interesting, she was ambitious and determined to join the WRNS, which she managed to do despite already working in a reserved occupation. After training in Leeds, Irene was sent to Chatham to work as an admin officer before she successfully applied for a vacancy with ANCXF/SHAEF (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force) which took her to Eisenhower’s HQ in Bushy Park. There she began working for Admiral Parry, with whom she later transferred to France then Germany. Irene shares fascinating details about her life and work throughout her service, including the build-up to D-Day and its aftermath, and the end of the war which she saw celebrated around the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. She is rightly proud of her military career and was awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of her hard work and significant contribution to the war effort.