Arthur Staggs shares the remarkable story of his time working as a wireless operator for the Special Operations Executive (SOE) in enemy-occupied France. Fluent in the local patois of Roubaix, Arthur was parachuted into France in 1942. He recounts the ‘physical challenge’ of the extensive training, and the SOE ‘Farmer’ circuit’s work alongside local resistance movements around Lille to sabotage railways and industrial targets. He tells how his ‘nerve’ got him out of some dangerous situations, including bribing customs inspectors and chatting with a German officer to deflect police attention. In late 1943 his luck ran out, and he was imprisoned and interrogated by the Gestapo. He relays his determination not to talk, and how, upon his release, the local Gestapo chief joked that they had ‘mistakenly’ believed he was an ‘English parachutist’! His language skills had saved him. Keen to resume work, Arthur joined the French Resistance. Known as Capitaine Bébert, he led operations to sabotage V-1 rockets destined for London, and worked on missions that unbeknown to him paved the way for the D-Day landings. Arthur’s story tells of lost friends, and the strain of clandestinity, but ultimately it is one of sheer determination to do whatever he could to disrupt the German war effort, and defend his country.

Between 1967 and 1971, Bob Barrett served in the Life Guards, with hopes of going abroad and learning to drive. Instead, he remained in London, where it soon became apparent he’d be swapping cars for horses. Life in the Army took some initial getting used to: the living conditions at Pirbright and Wellington barracks were shocking, however Bob took naturally to the horses during his time in riding school. Despite a lack of experience, he grew quickly in confidence, and it wasn’t long before he was well on his way to becoming a competent rider. Ahead of duties, he also took on the important job of caring for the horses' kit: with the looming prospect of inspections, it wasn’t uncommon for men to spend hours cleaning their equipment, often into the early hours of the morning.  For Bob, his first Trooping of the Colour very nearly ended in misfortune, after almost losing his boots during the parade. It’s a humorous anecdote, however service in the Life Guards was highly disciplined, and in this film Bob recalls occasions where other men were not so lucky.  Although his involvement in the Army was different to what he’d originally imagined, Bob considers his time as a Life Guard to have benefited him greatly, and recounts the range of interesting people he was able to meet as a result. In this interview he provides an amusing and candid insight into his career, and remains very proud of his time in service.