Alec Penstone’s life took a big turn during World War II. Before the war, he worked in a factory and was only 14 years old when war broke out. He spent much of the early war days in London as a volunteer ARP messenger during 'The Blitz'. He then joined the Royal Navy in 1942. He wanted to have an adventure and help his country. Alec was posted onto HMS Campania as a submarine detector and quickly learned that life as a sailor was tough. HMS Campania was part of the Arctic convoys - ships that sailed from the United Kingdom, Iceland and North America to the northern ports in the Soviet Union in very cold waters. He helped hunt for enemy submarines called U-boats. It was hard and scary work. When the war comes to an end in Europe, Alec is given 7 days VE leave in which he gets married before being sent off to the Far East to fight the Japanese. However after the Hiroshima atom bomb was dropped, he was put on more general 'police work' duties. Alec's interview highlights how the sailors stuck together during tough times and gives great insight into what it was like to live on a ship during the war. His account reminds us that war is terrible. Many people lost their lives. But it also shows how strong people can be when they work together. His story helps us remember and honour the sailors who fought for their country during some of the darkest times in history.

Pam Torrens was born in Southampton from a lineage of sailors and fishermen and so without question joined a sea faring service in the war.  She joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) aged eighteen and was made a chief petty officer after six months. Pam describes her Wren training and the testing of her German language skills. Beginning at Mill Hill, and then transferring to a special unit called Southfields, she learnt how to use radio frequencies to detect E-Boats, and interpret the codes used by Germans. She was sent to Station X, unaware at the time that this was Bletchley Park. Here she listened to codes and would phone them through to the local naval intelligence centre. Later sent to work in intelligence centres herself, she describes the windy Abbots Cliff where she listened to messages about the Bismarck, learning morse code at Hemsby, and being stationed at Ventnor during D-Day. She later volunteered to go to Hamburg Germany to interpret captured documents for the navy. Reflected throughout is Pam’s enjoyment of being in the Wrens, but also the tough circumstances and reality of not being able to divulge information about code breaking to her family after signing the Official Secrets Act. She remained hopeful her important work was impactful to the war effort.

Baden Singleton shares his life as a young Seaman while serving in the Royal Naval Patrol Service. His fascination with the Navy began early as a boy when he found a Seaman's hat on the beach. He recalls the exhaustive experience of working in a smaller crew. He speaks about how the RNPS was ridiculed by others, earning nicknames such as  'Churchill's Pirates' after a visit from Winston Churchill who referred to them as pirates due to their lack of Naval clothing. After his deployment, he went on many perilous journeys through the Mediterranean and Atlantic seas, serving aboard the HMS Romeo and HMS Wolborough which were responsible for sweeping naval mines. Despite his hardships, he developed a strong sense of camaraderie and respect not just for his fellow Naval men but also for other Seamen and the ships they served. He reflects sentimentally on how the HMS Romeo was once berthed alongside the SS Ohio, the same ship which played a vital role in Operation Pedestal, the convoy which saved the people of Malta from starvation. Throughout the chaos of the war, he still managed to find moments of cordiality. On one occasion, he met a woman at a brothel in Alexandria where he was based, with whom he developed a nice friendship. Baden's interview offers insight into the honour and delightfulness but also into the adversity that comes from being a Naval man during World War II.