Tom grew up learning about famous flights which influenced him to join the Royal Air Force aged eighteen. As an RAF volunteer reserve, he learnt how to fly Gypsy 1 Moths and Tiger Moth biplanes, and when the war started, he was introduced to Hurricanes and Spitfires. He was sent to Montrose Scotland and learnt to fly Hawker Harts, Hawker Fury’s, and Hawker Audax’s, undertaking training in engines and navigation. Tom went to RAF Boscombe Down to fly in the Battle of Britain as part of the 249 squadron, which earned the Victoria Cross. He lost eight of his squadron who were shot down by the Luftwaffe, and twenty others who were badly wounded. Many the RAF were badly burned due to Hurricane aircraft fuel tanks catching fire. Tom explains the difficulty of attacking from the air in freezing temperatures, chasing flying missiles (V-1's, known as Doodlebugs) and his experiences of bailing out by parachute. After the Battle of Britain, Tom went to the Middle East to reinforce the army. His squadron split in two and as the senior flight commander he led the second group, assisting in the Siege of Malta campaign under intense bombing raids. Tom returned to England after nine months, withstanding torpedo and bombing attacks on the ship home. He later joined the Americans in the 9^th United States Airforce and was a test pilot at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. He worked for the British Embassy and was a member of the United Nations. He reflects on the sadness of losing his squadron friends and the joy of meeting his wife during the war and their sixty-seven years of marriage.

Megan Moir joined the WRNS (Women's Royal Naval Service) aged 18 in December 1944. After brief training she went to Larne in Northern Ireland, but soon had the rare opportunity to join HMS Philante, a former luxury yacht which was used to train warships involved in anti-submarine work, with submarines acting as U-boats. They sailed to the naval base at the Kyle of Lochalsh opposite Skye, where she spent the rest of the war typing training instructions and training results. After the war she typed up reports in German following the surrender of U-boats there. She recalls her excitement when offered the chance to go to sea at 10 minutes notice, because very few WRENS went to sea; she vividly recalls being on the bridge, where she could see what was happening. She only stayed onboard one night; the rest of the time she slept in the “Wrenery”, where she enjoyed socialising in the common room with fellow WRENS and visitors. She narrates many fascinating anecdotes, including the celebrations for VE- and VJ-Day.

A significant injury in Afghanistan followed by a serious medical mistake led to life changing injuries and Terrie's battle to care for her severely disabled son.