An adventurous and extroverted young woman, Pauline joined the WRAC at seventeen years old after outperforming boys at her school in an army assault course. She knew in that moment that she would excel in a military career. Following her six weeks at Guildford she was posted to Blackdown to train as a supply clerk with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. She wanted to be a Physical Training Instructor but was advised to go into stores whilst placed in holding for an opening in physical trades. She remained in her first role as a store supplier before she was posted to Rheindahlen to supply local army bases. Being from Guyana Pauline describes the anxiety she felt in certain environments regarding racial prejudice but reflects fondly on her time in Rheindahlen due to her being surrounded by many women of different ethnicities. During her three years in Germany, as well as managing stores, she was also told to watch for Russian number plates or report suspicions of IRA or Cold War tensions. In this interview, Pauline recalls her upset at her forced leave due to her pregnancy and describes the many good soldiers the army lost due to this very reason. Like many other women, she felt she had more to give and these opportunities were taken away. Although Pauline speaks passionately about her time with the WRAC, her journey also highlights the issues with the treatment of women in the army.

Lance Corporal Mike Mogridge, a Royal Fusilier recounts his childhood growing up during WWII. Later in life, he signed up for National Service, where he met Ronnie and Reggie Kray, bonding over their shared love of boxing. Mike was sent to Korea with the Fusiliers, arriving in Pusan. Following a rest period, Mike and his battalion were sent to the frontline of The Battle of the Hook. This was a bloody conflict between Chinese and UN forces. During his time there, Mike remembers the bodies piling up eight feet high and the horrific smell. Mike recalls a time when his scouting party was ambushed, and luckily, friendly mortar fire drove the Chinese back. Assumed dead, they were discovered alive by a patrol. Mike humorously remembers walking into the Sergeant’s tent and being greeted with, “Oh, I thought you were dead, fancy a cup of tea?”. On his journey home from Korea, Mike shared a troopship with a Dorset regiment officer who, mistaking him for dead, expressed his regret. Told to turn around, the officer found Mike alive, apologising for not being dead. After National Service, Mike became SSAFA branch secretary.

Having grown up in Ireland during 'The Troubles', Marion joined the army to escape and begin life somewhere different. However soon after arriving at Guildford, she was injured in the bombing of the Horse and Groom pub in 1974. Marion recalls being aware that something was wrong but before she had time to react the bomb had exploded and she was left injured among the chaos. She describes how following this incident she was held back from completing her trade training and interrogated by army officers on suspicions of her being involved in the attack. In her interview she states that her treatment by the army during this time is something she held resentment towards for many years. She went on to complete her clerical training and was subsequently posted to Blackdown, Bicester, then Rheindahlen. In Germany an opportunity arose for Marion to become an army welfare assistant, where her role consisted of mostly dealing with war-affected and bereaved families. Although this position was extremely difficult, Marion found it rewarding but knew that it was soon time to leave. Reflecting on her time with the WRAC, Marion felt proud to be a veteran and values her connection to the female corps.