Gill Lewis shares her fascinating journey, serving many roles in the FANY towards the end of World War II. Being a car enthusiast, Gill first joined the FANY after receiving her driving license and assisted in many of their transport operations. Marrying at a young age, her circumstances would send her away from the FANY to Cairo. However, an invasion by the Germans was coming and she was offered the chance to go to South Africa, leaving her husband behind. Coming from a family with a naval background, Gill was no stranger to moving around a lot. In South Africa, she continued to volunteer as a driver for transport assignments. She recalls how during the war, petrol needed to be rationed, meaning you couldn't travel too much. However, this did not hinder the fun she had on these expeditions. Eventually, she returned to England where she reapplied to the FANY. This time, she went to Chicheley Hall where she was given a choice between coding or wireless telegraphy - she chose the former. During the course, she discovered she had a flair for coding which brought the attention of Leo Marks who summoned her for one-to-one tuition. Later on, in a crafty move, Marks sent her to the far east for active service, believing she was in need of a challenge. It was here that her coding skills were put to the test. Her job was to decipher cluttered messages from those who found themselves in desperate situations. She remembers the importance of discriminating and fixing any mistakes the messengers might have made and to avoid relying on assumptions. Her skillset would earn her the nickname 'Mark's wonder girl'. Gill loved coding but when asked later in life why she didn't join the foreign office for the same job during peacetime, she explains how it lacked the same level of urgency and resourcefulness which made it satisfying. Gill's story is a salient example of the rewarding experience achieved by people who are willing to challenge themselves.

Barbara O’Connell recalls the freedoms and responsibilities she gained as a young woman working as a volunteer FANY (First Aid Nursing Yeomanry) in World War II. Barbara recounts her time at Fawley Court in Henley where she was trained to code by writer and expert cryptographer, Leo Marks, leader of the Codes and Ciphers team which provided the crucial communications link for Special Operations Executive agents working in occupied Europe. She was later transferred to Grendon Underwood listening station in Buckinghamshire, and recalls, with some humour, the awful sleeping arrangements and the terrible food, and how she managed to find ways around these problems. Too excited to be scared, she tells of a journey by boat through U-boat patrolled waters to Algeria where she worked at the SOE's secret 'Massingham' base at Sidi Ferruch, just outside Algiers. Promoted to cadet Ensign, she coded messages sent during operations to secure the Italian armistice. Some years later, those involved were invited to Bologna, and Barbara proudly shows the ‘amazing medal’ presented to her in recognition of the part she played.

Content warning// This interview contains discussions of sensitive topics such as PTSD, depression and suicidal thoughts which some viewers may find distressing. If you are affected by these topics, please consider seeking support from a trusted person or organisation.   German Uli met her partner Alex while he was working for the Professional Service Guard. He had previously served for almost 18 years with the Royal Logistics Corp and Uli knew bits and pieces about Alex’s time in Northern Ireland and Sierra Leone. In 2015 Uli noticed that Alex was becoming quieter and retreating into himself, he admitted that he was feeling depressed. Alex was diagnosed with PTDS. It was recommended that Alex join Band of Brothers for support and that Uli join Band of Sisters. She didn’t think she would need assistance herself but wanted to find out more about supporting someone through PTSD and depression. Uli is incredibly open about Alex’s symptoms of depression, anxiety, being hyper alert and burying his emotions. The more stories she heard from the Band of Sisters, she became incredibly grateful that Alex was never physically or verbally abusive. Alex’s treatment was slow and it took a very long time, and a great deal of pain to manage, before he was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia, or chronic pain syndrome. Thankfully, he had Uli to chase and advocate on his behalf but he now lives with extreme pain on a daily basis. Uli describes how she used to try and be superwoman for Alex but it all became too much. She worried so much about him, especially when he had suicidal thoughts. Uli sought help and was given medication and also undertook therapy with Hidden Wounds which she says was brilliant. The Band of Sisters has also been a terrific support. Not only is there always someone there who knows what you are going through, Uli has also been involved in numerous fundraising activities such as trekking in Cambodia. But Uli knows the road ahead is still difficult, she confesses she has had dark thoughts herself and only by opening up did she realise these were likely caused by her medication. She admits she never puts herself first and hopes that by sharing her and Alex’s story it will help others to reach out and find help.