Bob Sullivan joined the Royal Engineers in 1942 and soon volunteered for the special services as a paratrooper where he was assigned to number 3 parachute squadron Royal Engineers. Bob dropped into Normandy on June 5^th 1944, his squadron destroyed bridges along the river Dives to secure the allied left flank and then retreated to Breville to reinforce 9^th battalion who had taken a gun battery. Bob details life on the front line for an engineer in Normandy, this involved; building fortifications and gun batteries, going on patrol to detect mines, and laying Somerville tracks – whilst also repelling the German counterattack from the trenches. In December 1944, Bob was re-deployed to the Ardennes to identify and lift mines. Innovative glass and carbon fibre mines, combined with the freezing temperatures made this a torturous experience for Bob and his squadron. He left the Ardennes in February and shortly afterwards his squadron was disbanded, Bob transferred to number 1 troop and was sent to the Rhine in March. Upon landing he suffered a severe mortar wound to his leg, thus ending his military involvement in Europe. After a 5 month recovery period back home Bob “returned to the airborne” and was deployed in Palestine for a year. Bob delivers a uniquely extensive recollection of his experience in WW2, but more than anything the former paratrooper wants to highlight the memorable friendships he made during his service.

Having lived through WWII as a child, Michael was conscripted at age 18. He trained as an anti-tank gunner in Norfolk and then sailed for Korea on the Emperor Orwell in late August 1950. He and his compatriots were among the first British regiments to go to Korea. He tells of the journey to Korea, stopping in Egypt, Ceylon, Singapore and Hong Kong. Life on board ship involved training on what to expect, as well as practice on the 17 pounder anti-tank gun. Michael describes a 24-hour train journey to Britannia camp after arriving in Pusan. From there he tells of day-to-day life, fighting trench warfare, primarily on 355 hill (Kowang Sang). Conditions were very challenging; they lived in a constant state of alertness, remaining in their clothes and boots as they had to be prepared to fight at a moment’s notice. Suffering frequent mortar bombardment and attacks by the PVA, Michael describes in detail the measures they had to take to counteract these attacks and the importance of keeping going despite the fear. He returned home after two years and tells of his frustration that the Korean war appears to have been forgotten.