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A veteran interview with

John Roche

John Roche served on HMS Renown throughout most of the war. He gives a fabulous account of himself and provides a fascinating insight to life onboard.

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About John Roche

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Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
Reviewed by:
Carolyn Foster

Copyright:
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Home | Veterans | John Roche

A veteran interview with

John Roche

13-john-roche

John Roche served on HMS Renown throughout most of the war. He gives a fabulous account of himself and provides a fascinating insight to life onboard.

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https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-roche/

Cite this interview:

MLA Style:
Roche, John. A Veteran Interview with John Roche. Interview by Martin Bisiker. Legasee, n.d. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-roche/. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
APA Style:
Roche, J. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with John Roche [Interview by Martin Bisiker]. Legasee. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-roche/
Chicago Style:
Roche, John. n.d.. A Veteran Interview with John Roche. Interview by Martin Bisiker. Legasee. Accessed May 23, 2025. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-roche/
Harvard Style:
Roche, J. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with John Roche. [Interviewed by Martin Bisiker]. Legasee. Available at https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-roche/ (Accessed: 23 May 2025)
Vancouver Style:
Roche, J. A Veteran Interview with John Roche [Internet]. Interview by M. Bisiker. Legasee; n.d. [cited 2025 May 23]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-roche/
An interview with

Joyce Aylard

A World War II Wren provides a fascinating insight into her role as a Turing Bombe operator at Bletchley Park.

When war broke out, 14-year-old Joy Aylard was evacuated to the countryside for two happy years, before leaving school and returning to London to study at college until she was old enough to join up. As soon as she could, she joined the WRNS and was almost immediately sent to Bletchley Park’s Eastcote Outstation. Joy describes in detail the top-secret work involved in operating the Bombe machines to decipher German Enigma messages, remembering the boost to morale that came when successful results of their codebreaking efforts were filtered back to them. Reflecting on the intense secrecy surrounding the work, Joy explains that everyone just got used to not talking about what they were doing; not even Joy’s father knew what her job entailed! Joy’s reflections on her time during the war allow us a vivid glimpse into life behind the walls at Bletchley Park, and the technical skill, dedication and discretion of all who worked there and played such a pivotal role in the Allied war effort.
Photo Gallery icon 2 Photos
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Patricia Davies

Patricia Davies was involved in Operation Mincemeat, one of the most notorious secret war events of WW2. 

Not many women would turn down a posting to Bletchley park but Patricia Davies did. It rubbed up a few noses but it ensured that she would be involved in one of the most audacious secret missions of the Second World War. Operation Mincemeat was a highly innovative and successful deception which helped to convince the German high command that the Allies planned to invade Greece and Sardinia in 1943 instead of Sicily, the actual objective.
In her interview, Patricia reflects on her role in the op and marvels at the secrecy that was part and parcel of her life during the war. She also offers opinion on the the film 'The man Who Never Was', which was made about the Operation.
Patricia passed away on the 22 July, 2014.
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martyn Cox
An interview with

Joan Endersby

The engaging and humorous recollections of a Wren stationed in Londonderry during WWII.

Determined to join the WRNS as soon as she could, 17-year-old Liverpudlian Joan Endersby signed up in 1943 and began her training in London, first in Mill Hill then at Westfield College to learn how to operate a teleprinter. Her first draft sent her to the shores of Loch Foyle in Londonderry where she arrived on Christmas Eve 1943 and felt instantly at ease with her new life. Joan describes the living accommodation of the Wrens and talks in detail about her work tracking the movement of the Atlantic convoys heading in and out of Liverpool. She also shares with great humour stories about her life in Londonderry, reflecting on how society has changed since then. Acknowledging the true horrors of war, Joan feels fortunate to have served with the WRNS, and her wonderfully upbeat character reminds us that light can be found even in the darkest of days.
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker