Dennis joined the Royal Navy in 1943, opting for sailor life over the army as a Margate boy with salt in his veins. He trained in Gunnery Control, specialising in an early radar technology for controlling ship guns. This was a cutting-edge skill at the time. Assigned to the newly commissioned HMS Cassandra, Dennis quickly bonded with his fellow crew members, becoming a close-knit fighting force. He recalls how, on the open sea, morale hinged on comradeship and the comforts of “canteen messing." Dennis’s first convoy was in 1944, when the Allies had started to turn the tables. His second Russian convoy brought disaster when a torpedo hit Cassandra’s bow, miraculously failing to sink the ship. Unfortunately, sixty-two of Dennis’s fellow sailors were lost – a tragedy that deeply affected him. He returned to Chatham Barracks on survivor’s leave but was later sent to the Far East. Here he observed the devastation at Hiroshima, a saddening reminder of the war’s impact. Dennis shared his eye-opening experiences in a series of interviews hosted by the Margate Blue Nose Club. An enlightening experience for those present.

Edward Rogers, known as 'Ted' to his friends, was born in Liverpool in 1924. Following the Blitz, Ted was still too young to join the Royal Navy aged only 16. However instead of waiting to be called up once he was old enough, he instead made the bold decision to join the Merchant Navy as an apprentice. Although Ted didn't yet know it, his first sea voyage would change his life forever. While sailing aboard the Alfred Jones, Ted and his crew were part of a vicious torpedo attack, by a U-Boat commanded by the formidable Günther Hessler. After being given orders to abandon ship as fire broke out, Ted made the unfortunate discovery that his allocated lifeboat had been destroyed in the explosion, and that he would have to swim to another for any chance of survival. Stranded 120 miles from shore in a small, overcrowded lifeboat, he was incredibly lucky to survive, though sadly two other members of the crew were not so fortunate. As part of life in the MN, burials at sea were not uncommon, however for Ted he mainly recalls the great camaraderie he shared with his crew, despite the constant threat of U-Boat attacks, including celebrations for Christmas and the eventual end of the war. It took another year following the end of the war for Ted to be demobilised, where he faced yet another big decision about his future, having to choose between maintaining a romantic relationship or training for the priesthood. Ted chose the latter, which would mark the beginning of yet another great adventure in his life.

After joining the Royal Marines and completing his training, Fred travelled to Korea and conducted coastal raids to protect explosives experts from harm. While accompanying a convoy along the Chosin Reservoir, Fred was shot through the foot by North Korean fire. After recovering, he rejoined his unit during an ice-cold winter, which left him unaffected by the cold for decades since nothing compared to the Korean winter. Fred describes his camaraderie with American marines, who he advised against their trigger-happy tendencies because enemy fighters could advance unhindered upon hearing the empty magazine's distinctive “click”. Fred never discovered why he was mentioned in dispatches but wonders if it was for performing his duties while injured. He gave blood from his arm to an injured comrade before their evacuation to a military hospital. He later cared for hospitalised patients, cracking jokes and brewing tea. He becomes emotional remembering those who died in his arms. After returning to Britain, Fred was deemed unfit for service – a decision that still irks him today. He explains that the Korean War, its veterans and the fallen are widely overlooked. Fred’s moving story highlights the need to commemorate those who fought in history’s “Forgotten War”.