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The Veteran Archive

Heartfelt thanks to the veterans who have shared their stories, so we may learn from their experiences and ensure they are never forgotten.

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An interview with

David Craig

David’s interview isn’t the easiest to listen to but it’s worth the effort. He provides...
Civilian
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Admiral William O’Brien

Admiral Sir William O’Brien provides Legasee with a wonderful interview about his distinguished Naval career....

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Gladys Yates

We met Gladys when she visited the Luton primary school as part of the education...

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Frank Wilson

Frank Wilson was an Able Seaman on the escort carrier, HMS Activity. She had the...
Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Joan Field

Joan Field was a WREN stationed at a very remote signal station overlooking the Firth...

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Megan Moir

Megan Moir was a Wren Writer onboard the exercise training ship HMS Philante. Originally the...

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Colette Cook

Colette Cook gives an entertaining account of her time as a Wren. She had a...

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Harriet Wright

Harriet Wright gives a great account of her time as a Siganller in the Wrens....

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Irene Bellamy

Irene Bellamy provides an entertaining and detailed account of her service in the Wrens.  Before...

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Fred Estall

Fred Estall gives a good account of his life as a Gunner onboard a Defensively...

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Cornelius Snelling

Cornelius Snelling served on the Black Swan-class sloop HMS Wildgoose. The Wildgoose was one of...

Navy
D-Day and the Battle for Normandy (1944)
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An interview with

Dick West

Dick West gives a brilliant account of his life as an Engine Room Artificer on...

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Alex Owens

Alex Owens provides a classic story of life at sea for a young man who...

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

John Woodward

John Woodward worked on a Minesweeper during WWII. Operating out of the Thames estuary his...

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Michael Wainwright

Michael Wainwright is one of the Battle of Britain fighter pilots we filmed with the...

RAF
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An interview with

George Reynolds

George Reynolds was captured during the fall of Singapore and sent to work in the...

Army
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An interview with

Joy Lofthouse

Joy Lofthouse flew Spitfires with the ATA during WWII. In her interview she shares details...

Civilian
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An interview with

Joyce Aylard

Joyce Aylard provides a detailed and fascinating account of her time working at a Bletchley...

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Edward Rogers

Ted Rogers sailed was an apprentice boy when he set sail with the Merchant navy....

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Dennis Grogan

Dennis Grogan talks in detail about his time with 1903 Air Observation Corps. These flights, were...

RAF
Korean War (1950–53)
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An interview with

Kate Boe

Kate Boe served in the Royal Air Force as a nurse, where she met her...
Civilian
Band of Sisters
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An interview with

Ken French

Ken is one of those increasingly rare birds, a Bomber Command Navigator. What makes his...
RAF
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An interview with

Jenny Bottomley

Jenny Bottomley is married to Daniel – a former Royal Marine Commando who served in...
Civilian
Band of Sisters
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An interview with

Mervyn Salter

Mervyn Salter gives a great account of his life at sea on HMS Saumerz. Operating...

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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Women of the Army (1949-92)

In 2024, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we proudly added 30 female voices to the Legasee Archive...
Browse Project
An interview with

David Craig

David Craig’s service as a radio operator aboard merchant ship, the Dover Hill, reveals harrowing wartime moments. From surviving a hurricane, to air raids in Murmansk.

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Upon joining the Merchant Navy in 1940, David served on the oil tanker SS Vimiere. During his early career, he witnessed a ship sink whilst returning from Halifax, Nova Scotia – a disheartening experience that marked the beginning of several challenges at sea.  David trained as a wireless operator and was part of the Russian convoy JW53, braving a nasty hurricane that forced multiple ships to turn back. His vessel successfully reached Murmansk, where he recalls narrowly escaping an aircraft bombing while anchored. The ship was damaged during an attack but, luckily, disaster was avoided. For his efforts, David received a King’s Commendation.  By the age of 19, David had ascended to the role of Chief Radio Officer on the Eastern Prince, a refuelling ship for the convoy. He reflects on his scariest convoy where, despite the odds being stacked against them, he and his crewmates survived a relentless bomber attack.    There are also some lighter moments that David recounts. One involves the unexpected retrieval of a giant bear in Murmansk. He also has fond memories of surviving on spam (which he still likes) and sailing to amazing places.  David's colourful stories illustrate his resilience, courage and camaraderie at sea. 
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Service:
Civilian
Project:
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Dick West

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Catherine Avent

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

John Seares

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Cornelius Snelling

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Admiral William O’Brien

Career Naval Officer recalls his wartime experiences which include the Fall of France, Arctic convoys, D Day and the Far East

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William O’Brien joined the navy as a 13-year-old cadet in 1930 and qualified as a Sub Lieutenant in 1937. He served on HMS Garland in the Mediterranean and, after World War II broke out, transferred to the destroyer HMS Wolsey patrolling the UK’s East coast. In May 1940, O’Brien was involved in a land-based operation ‘Royal Marine’ laying mines on the Rhine, but had to retreat when German forces advanced. Returning to sea, he became First Lieutenant of HMS Witherington, which patrolled the English Channel but was damaged during a bombing raid whilst docked at Portsmouth. At the end of  1941, O’Brien transferred to HMS Offa, participating in a raid on Norway and escorting Arctic convoys, including the ill-fated PQ17.  In February 1943, O’Brien took command of the destroyer HMS Cottesmore, conducting patrols and participating in D-Day operations at Gold Beach, where they supported the beach landings. Promoted in late 1944, O’Brien was sent to the Asian theatre as a planner for amphibious assaults in Burma. He witnessed the surrender of Singapore and became the Allied Forces Naval Liaison Officer in Jakarta. O’Brien continued his naval career after the war, retiring as an Admiral in 1971
Service:
Navy
Project:
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Colette Cook

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Bill Churchill

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Joe Pitcher

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Frank Wilson

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Gladys Yates

A WRNS Officer Steward describes her wartime childhood and memories of serving officers at Chatham Barracks during WWII

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Aged 14 when WWII broke out, Gladys spent the early war years in Gillingham, Kent. Gladys frequently sought refuge at home or in shelters when bombs and landmines were dropped on her street. She explains how the war shattered everybody’s lives and deprived young people of their carefree teenage years. At 17, Gladys decided to join the WRNS to contribute to the war effort, following in the footsteps of her Navy and Marine relatives. She trained in Rochester to wait on tables for breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner, before serving at Chatham Barracks as an Officer Steward. She describes her daily routine, getting to know the naval officers, and her friendships and moments of mischief with fellow Wrens. As the war drew to a close, Gladys felt optimistic about the future and was excited for life to return to normal. After peace was declared, local people flocked to see the barracks lights fully illuminated again – a captivating sight that symbolically marked the end of the war’s disruption. Though Gladys sheds light on the difficulties faced by WWII’s teenage generation, she fondly cherishes her memories of her time as a Wren.
Service:
Navy
Project:
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Admiral William O’Brien

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Gordon Hooton

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Marsie Taylor

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Austin Byrne

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Frank Wilson

Frank Wilson's Journey from Navy Training to Arctic Convoys and Celebrating Victory in Singapore

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A few months after World War II began, Frank Wilson enlisted in the Royal Navy. He completed 10 weeks of training at HMS Collingwood and continued at HMS Wellesley in Liverpool, where he trained as an anti-aircraft gunner. Frank was then stationed on HMS Activity, a 14,000-ton ship, posted to the forward starboard side operating the anti-aircraft guns. He fondly recalls Captain Willoughby as an absolute gentleman. While training, Frank remembers being held in the harbour at Greenock when HMS Dasher exploded and sank in the Clyde in March 1943, with 379 out of 528 crewmen lost. He saw the smoke and heard about the sea being afire with aviation fuel. Frank’s first Russian Convoy was extremely cold, with temperatures below 50 degrees. He was part of the team escorting battleships Royal Sovereign and Missouri. On another trip, he witnessed HMS Bluebell get hit by a torpedo from the German submarine U-711 in the Barents Sea, where only one person survived. In Russia, Frank saw the hunger and gave food to the locals whenever he could. The Activity had to keep moving in dangerous waters to avoid being an easy target for the Germans. Frank was part of 20 different convoys, traveling in the Arctic, Atlantic, and Mediterranean. After serving on The Activity, he was transferred to HMS Berwick and sent to the Far East. In Singapore, he visited HMS Activity again to celebrate the end of the war with his old friends.  
Service:
Navy
Project:
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Gladys Yates

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Jim Dimond

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

John Edwards

Civilian
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Reg Neile

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Joan Field

A World War II Wren shares extraordinary details of her life and work as a signaller operating in the remote Scottish Highlands.

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In 1941 at the age of 17, Joan Field applied to join the WRNS (Women's Royal Naval Service). Keen not to become a cook or a steward, Joan was happy when the discovery of her perfect eyesight meant she was chosen to become a signaller and sent to HMS Cabbala to begin her training. Joan talks in detail about the instruction she received – including Morse code, semaphore, the phonetic alphabet and naval discipline – before her first draft sent her north to the pier signal station in Oban. Joan shares memories of life in Oban, and the stark differences she encountered when she moved to the remote Ganavan signal station shortly after her arrival in Scotland, recalling one particularly frightening encounter that made her glad of the pistol training all Wrens received. She also talks about the improvements to planning that came when the Americans joined the war, but recalls with some horror their apparent lack of discipline within the ranks. Joan’s story provides a particularly engaging insight into the life and work of a female signaller, and highlights her deep connection both to the Scottish Highlands and the vital role she played in the war effort.
Service:
Navy
Project:
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Colette Cook

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Ron Davies (1926)

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

David Craig

Civilian
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

William Jenkins

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Megan Moir

Megan Moir was one of the few WRENS to go to sea, serving in 1945 on HMS Philante, a former luxury yacht which was used to train warships involved in anti-submarine work.

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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.
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Service:
Navy
Project:
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

James Pitts

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Doug Shelley

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Alfred Fowler

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Patricia Parker

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Colette Cook

A member of the Women's Royal Naval Service who operated the Bombe machines at Bletchley Park.

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Colette Cook tells of her work at Bletchley Park operating the Bombe machines whose function was to find the daily key settings of the Enigma machines used by the Germans during WWII to transmit encrypted messages. Colette joined the WRNS (Wrens) as soon as she was able, and following a period of basic training, applied for a mysterious posting ‘P5’. It transpired that this was shorthand for HMS Pembroke V, a cover term for WRNS being posted to Eastcote (an outstation of Bletchley) to train as Bombe operators. In this engaging interview, Colette explains how, after signing the Official Secrets Act, she learned to load the bombe with the coloured wheels and then set about the difficult job of plugging up the back as directed by a ‘menu’. She describes the work as monotonous, physically demanding, and very noisy, but her and her colleagues ‘just grinded away’. She tells of a sense of urgency, but stresses it was not panic, and a realisation that what they were doing was important. Reflecting on her time at Bletchley, Colette says that whilst ‘it all seems like a dream now’, she has an overarching feeling of pride in the part she played to crack the German cypher.
Service:
Navy
Project:
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Marcel Jaurant-Singer

RAF
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Pauline Payne

Civilian
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Andree Dumon

Civilian
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Antoinette Porter

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Harriet Wright

Harriet Wright talks about her service as a Wren and being based in the Orkneys towards the end of the second world war.

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Harriet Wight was living in the countryside in North East Scotland at the outbreak of war and recalls seeing an enemy aircraft drop a bomb over Aberdeen. It was then she decided ‘to do her bit’ and joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS). After a medical in Dundee she did her initial basic training at Balloch on the edge of Loch Lomond and began her duties as a messenger. She was eventually posted to Ilfracombe in Devon as a signaller and was involved in taking and logging signals which at that time mainly related to noting casualties from the North African campaign in 1943. Harriet moved on to operating telephone switchboards after a period of training and was posted to Hatston on the Orkneys, close to the vital naval base of Scapa Flow. Harriet spoke of meeting her future husband, who was a sailor involved in Arctic and Atlantic convoys, and how she never concerned about the danger he was in until she found out that an American soldier pen-friend of hers had been killed in Belgium and then the reality of war hit home. Harriet concluded by saying how very proud she was of having been a Wren. 
Photo Gallery icon 15 Photos
Service:
Navy
Project:
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Cornelius Snelling

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

John Edwards

Civilian
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Irene Bellamy

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Frank Jones

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Irene Bellamy

An entertaining and detailed account of a WWII Wren’s service in England, France and Germany.

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When war broke out, 20-year-old Irene Bellamy was evacuated from Bristol to Chipping Sodbury, where she worked for a time as secretary to well-known aeroplane designer Basil Henderson. Although she found the job interesting, she was ambitious and determined to join the WRNS, which she managed to do despite already working in a reserved occupation. After training in Leeds, Irene was sent to Chatham to work as an admin officer before she successfully applied for a vacancy with ANCXF/SHAEF (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force) which took her to Eisenhower’s HQ in Bushy Park. There she began working for Admiral Parry, with whom she later transferred to France then Germany. Irene shares fascinating details about her life and work throughout her service, including the build-up to D-Day and its aftermath, and the end of the war which she saw celebrated around the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. She is rightly proud of her military career and was awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of her hard work and significant contribution to the war effort.
Service:
Navy
Project:
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Colette Cook

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Pam Torrens

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

John Debenham-Taylor

Army
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Dorothy Brewer

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Fred Estall

Trying not to think about the U-boats: keeping busy as a gunner aboard a Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship in WWII.

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With a long-held ambition to join the Navy, Fred Estall keenly awaited the arrival of his call-up papers, which sent him first to Pwllheli in north Wales for initial sea training and then to HMS Wellesley in Liverpool for gun training. He passed out as a DEMS gunner (Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship) and went to Nova Scotia – via HMS Belfast and RMS Queen Mary – to join the crew of a Merchant Navy oil tanker. Fred talks about life on board, describing the extra work available to anyone willing to get his hands dirty – which he always was, not only because he could earn more money, but also because keeping busy helped him keep his mind off the U-boats. He explains the stark difference between the atmosphere of camaraderie in the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy, and talks about the distinct lack of entertainment onboard a merchant ship. Recalling heavy seas, storms and the huge expanse of ocean, Fred’s memories bring vividly to life what it was like to move from tanker to tanker while the world was at war, keeping allied ships fuelled from 1940 – 1944.
Service:
Navy
Project:
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Marsie Taylor

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Eric Miles

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Joyce Aylard

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Dennis Whitehead

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Cornelius Snelling

Cornelius Snelling recalls his WWII naval service aboard anti-submarine patrol ships in the North Atlantic, the Arctic and the English Channel.

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After serving in the Home Guard and experiencing bombing in the blitz in London, Cornelius Snelling was conscripted into the Royal Navy in 1942 and carried out his basic training on HMS Ganges at Shotley. From his port division, Chatham, he was assigned his first posting, as a Bosun’s mate, to a newly commissioned ship docked at Glasgow, HMS Wild Goose, a Black Swan-class sloop. HMS Wild Goose specialised in anti-submarine patrols in the North Atlantic and the Bay of Biscay and Snelling took part in some of the ship's most notable actions, including the renowned "six in one trip" in 1943, which saw HMS Wild Goose, alongside other Bird-class sloops, sink six German U-boats in a single patrol. Snelling’s final journey aboard HMS Wild Goose was participating in an Arctic convoy to Murmansk and he describes the extreme conditions. In 1944, Snelling transferred to HMS Tyler, an American-built frigate on loan to the Royal Navy. HMS Tyler conducted patrol and escort missions in the North Atlantic and the English Channel, where it also escorted landing craft and supply ships during the D-Day invasion of the Normandy beaches. Snelling's service concluded in October 1945 when he steamed with HMS Tyler back to the United States, where the ship was returned to the US Navy.
Photo Gallery icon 12 Photos
Service:
Navy
Project:
D-Day and the Battle for Normandy (1944)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Gordon Henry

Army
D-Day and the Battle for Normandy (1944)
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An interview with

Ken Cook

Navy
D-Day and the Battle for Normandy (1944)
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An interview with

George Talbot

Army
D-Day and the Battle for Normandy (1944)
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An interview with

Jean Watson

Navy
D-Day and the Battle for Normandy (1944)
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An interview with

Dick West

Dick West and "the Shiny Shef"

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"You could say I had a fortunate life really." Dick West recalls his time as an Engineering Artificer (ER2) during World War II in the Royal Navy, following in his father’s footsteps. Follow his journey from Chatham Tech (A.K.A Collingwood) through to his first posting in Portsmouth to Torpoint (Cornwall) all the way north to Scapa Flow. His time on the Destroyer called Oribi and the Sheffield “Shiny Sheff” (cruiser). Dick recalls life in the mess on a boat, the roles he had in supporting the Cruiser and places they visited and friends they made along the way, including Canadians. From Scottish ports, to Icelandic fronts (Akureyri, Hvalfjordur), to the Arctic Sea Battle of Scharnhorst alongside the Belfast and The Norfolk, fighting off German tanks in Italy. Dick recalls a lot of spent time in the Arctic Circle but also making stops in the Med and North Africa before finishing in Canada and the USA (picking up parts from General Electric).  
Photo Gallery icon 4 Photos
Service:
Navy
Project:
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Cornelius Snelling

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Lewis Trinder

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Doug Shelley

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Bill Fellingham

Civilian
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Alex Owens

Able seaman Alex Owens remembers his Naval service during WWII, providing protection for the fleet aboard S-class destroyer HMS Savage.

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Alex talks about the first strict days of his Naval training at the shore station of HMS Ganges in Ipswich, and the even stricter regime that followed at Chatham Barracks, recalling the general attitude amongst his peers of ‘just getting on with’ whatever they had to do. His first draft as an ordinary seaman was to HMS Savage, a brand-new ship which he was one of the first to board. Unfortunately for Alex, as soon as he left the shore for the very first time, he was laid low by seasickness which took a fortnight to get over and left him temporarily unable to care if the ship sank or sailed! Alex shares stories from his time on the Russian convoys and the unimaginable hardships the crews endured. He also details close contact with the SS Penelope Barker, as well as Savage’s heroic role in the sinking of the German battleship Scharnhorst: an amazing account made even more incredible when he remembers the moment the Savage turned her guns in the wrong direction… A charming, generous and funny man, Alex’s story is that of a young sailor at sea determined to do his bit, regardless of the dangers and fears he encountered along the way.
Photo Gallery icon 7 Photos
Service:
Navy
Project:
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
An interview with

Doug Shelley

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Harry Card

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Jack Thomas

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Bob Gale

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

John Woodward

The critical work of a Navy minesweeper and its ingenious captain during World War II.

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18-year-old John Woodward followed in the footsteps of his father, uncle and grandfather by enlisting in the Royal Navy in 1942, keen to join the fight and do his bit for the war effort. His original intention was to become a signaller but when he was found to be colour blind, he was transferred to the minesweepers and based on the Isle of Sheppey at Queenborough Pier. John shares details of his early training and his role onboard the minesweeper, and recounts a particularly inspired yet risky manoeuvre ordered by the ship’s captain when the Germans’ mine-laying tactics had become a little too predictable. As well as providing details about the types of mines deployed by the Germans and how his minesweeper dislodged them, John also recalls both the build-up to D-Day and the actual event itself, before going on to talk about VE Day and his memories of the occasion. Like his peers, John shares his story with remarkable modesty, but it is easy to find behind his words the bravery, commitment and dedication with which he served, and which will form the heart of his legacy for many years to come.
Service:
Navy
Project:
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Mervyn Salter

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Frank Wilson

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Jean Watson

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Dennis Whitehead

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Michael Wainwright

Gliding to Greatness

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Michael Wainwright served with the RAF during WWII; he fought bravely and valiantly in the Battle of Britain, one of the most frightful chapters of the Second World War, and the first time British forces faced the terrifying Luftwaffe. During the interview, Michael recalls the horrifying moment at which war was announced; he joined the RAF in 1936 at the age of 37 where he trained flying a Hawker Fury. Although, in his early career, Michael flew the notorious Bristol Blenheim, a bomber plane. He was later assigned to 64 squadron where he would take up the cockpit of a spitfire in order to defend the English boats crossing to France. He talks about his friend and leader: sub/Lt. Dawson-Paul who was shot down during the conflict, and taken prisoner by a German patrol boat in the English Channel. As his career continued, Michael made the decision to move to 102 glider OTU and take up the role of an instructor, teaching budding new pilots how to safely glide their planes in the event of being shot down or engine failure - he also teaches them how to defuse situations with angry farmers when landing in their fields.
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Service:
RAF
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

George Reynolds

In search of a story to tell, George Reynolds’ military career is one of much mayhem, overcoming trials and tribulations to live to tell the tale.

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George Reynolds tells the story of his military career, where each memory is as engrossing as the next. Following in his father’s footsteps, George enlisted in the army in 1937. Not long after, in 1939, he was off to India, where he had become both a stand out signaller and a skilled equestrian.   By 1941, his regiment found themselves embroiled in battle against the invading Japanese army. Troubling times followed; the Japanese succeeded in their occupation, George among the 80,000 taken as POW.   He was first put to work in a Singapore prison, where he detailed his starved but tanned condition, a result of outdoor work. After being shipped off to Taiwan in 1942, George recalls his torturous experience in a copper mine, where he faced the threat of beatings, malnutrition, and sickly skin, all at a level he had never seen before.  I’m sure you’ve gone through a roller coaster of emotions engaging with George’s story, but he closes on a powerful note. Following his liberation by the American Navy in 1945, George was plunged into a moral dilemma – how was he supposed to feel about the people who had hurt him?   To hate them, he says, was akin to a “cancer eating away at him”. At once, there and then, he decided to “forgive but not forget”. This ultimately underlines the hardiness and determination of a soldier, who, after seven long years away from home, was favoured to live to tell the tale. 
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Service:
Army
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Joy Lofthouse

WWII ATA Spitfire Pilot

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In this interview, listen to Joy talk about her rare and exciting opportunity to fly with ATA in the famous spitfire plane. Born in Cirencester, Joy was raised in the countryside where she learned to be strong and independent, always striving to be the best she could possibly be. When her sister joined the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary), it was only a matter of time before Joy's fierce competitive edge would cause her to follow in her sister's footsteps and join up as well. Although Joy found her training quite difficult due to the tough weather conditions which made her experience more challenging; she soon found her rhythm and was accepted to fly possibly the most iconic plane from the WWII era: the spitfire. However, as the war progressed, there became less and less of a need for women pilots in the eyes of the military, so Joy's original pool was disbanded. In the interview, Joy speaks on her experience of moving pools not once but twice! She also explains how the different ranks in the ATA work, as well as talk about an intense emergency landing that forced her to hitchhike back home, in additional to what made the American bases so much more exciting.
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Service:
Civilian
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
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.

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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.
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Service:
Navy
Project:
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Daphne Park

Civilian
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Eric Miles

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Cyril Standiford

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Stan Hope

RAF
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Edward Rogers

A lucky WWII seaman details what it was like to be stranded at sea after being torpedoed - and still survive.

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Edward Rogers, known as 'Ted' to his friends, was born in Liverpool in 1924. Following the Blitz, Ted was still too young to join the Royal Navy aged only 16. However instead of waiting to be called up once he was old enough, he instead made the bold decision to join the Merchant Navy as an apprentice. Although Ted didn't yet know it, his first sea voyage would change his life forever. While sailing aboard the Alfred Jones, Ted and his crew were part of a vicious torpedo attack, by a U-Boat commanded by the formidable Günther Hessler. After being given orders to abandon ship as fire broke out, Ted made the unfortunate discovery that his allocated lifeboat had been destroyed in the explosion, and that he would have to swim to another for any chance of survival. Stranded 120 miles from shore in a small, overcrowded lifeboat, he was incredibly lucky to survive, though sadly two other members of the crew were not so fortunate. As part of life in the MN, burials at sea were not uncommon, however for Ted he mainly recalls the great camaraderie he shared with his crew, despite the constant threat of U-Boat attacks, including celebrations for Christmas and the eventual end of the war. It took another year following the end of the war for Ted to be demobilised, where he faced yet another big decision about his future, having to choose between maintaining a romantic relationship or training for the priesthood. Ted chose the latter, which would mark the beginning of yet another great adventure in his life.
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Service:
Navy
Project:
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Jim Dimond

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Luton School

Civilian
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

James Pitts

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Nick Carter

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Dennis Grogan

Having completed an RAF apprenticeship, Dennis served in Korea with the 1903 air observation flights

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Dennis loved planes as a child, having lived near the American airbase in Northern Ireland. He joined up as an RAF Halton apprentice at aged 16 and describes an extensive and wide-ranging education, working on Spitfires, Hurricanes and even a Mosquito. On completion of his apprenticeship, Dennis was posted to South Wales for 1 year of improver training, during which he worked on Mark 3A and 4 Meteors and then transferred to Pembroke Dock, where he worked on the Sunderland Flying boats. It was from here, that in 1952 he was posted to Korea at short notice. He was based near the Imjin River with the British Army and tasked with working on the Auster aircraft. He describes in detail the work he had to do to keep them flying and the many experiences he had during his time there. The winters were very difficult and he tells of the ingenuity of the British troops in overcoming some of the hardships. He was also posted to the aircraft carrier HMS Glory for one tour, he was clearly fascinated by the operations on board ship. He returned home to his wife and a 23-month-old daughter whom he had never met.
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Service:
RAF
Project:
Korean War (1950–53)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Walter Irish

Navy
Korean War (1950–53)
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An interview with

John Meall

Navy
Korean War (1950–53)
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An interview with

Gordon Payne

Navy
Korean War (1950–53)
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An interview with

Bill Fox

Army
Korean War (1950–53)
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An interview with

Kate Boe

Kate shares the details of her husband’s PTSD and their difficult journey for treatment.

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Content warning// This interview contains discussions of sensitive topics such as PTSD, suicidal thoughts and vivid flashback description which some viewers may find distressing. If you are affected by these topics, please consider seeking support from a trusted person or organisation.   Kate was training to be a nurse with the RAF when she met her husband-to-be, John, an RAF Police Officer. They both completed tours of Iraq and John went on to complete one more and also two tours of Afghanistan. Each time John returned, Kate started to notice slight differences in his character, such as an increase in drinking and frequent nightmares. She was grateful of both her RAF and medical training as it helped her understand the mental shift between home and work that John was having to manage. John sought help but was told there was nothing medically wrong and he was to carry on as usual, which he did. It was the birth of their son that Kate thinks caused John’s nightmares and flashbacks to intensify. He sought help again and this time was diagnosed with severe PTSD and signed off work, but without his job to provide a sense of purpose John struggled to function. John tried both CBT and EMDR therapies but Kate feels they both made the situation worse. John is now on a medication pathway. Kate describes this as an incredibly isolating time as no one knew what she was going through. She felt she could hardly leave John alone, especially when he started having suicidal thoughts. However, when she joined Band of Sisters she found a supportive group of women with shared experiences. She even managed to attend a weekend away which really helped her realise how stressed she was. She describes finding Band of Sisters as a real turning point which helped her realise she needed to take care of herself too. John has also found help through Help for Heroes and has attended a few courses and is now a qualified bushcraft and survival instructor. John has recently had a cancer diagnosis and Kate reflects that, sadly, the cancer process has been much smoother than the PTSD. Kate feels it is incredibly important for others to hear their story so they know they are not alone. She is even compiling a book.
Service:
Civilian
Project:
Band of Sisters
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Craig Kane

RAF
Band of Sisters
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An interview with

Heather Lake

Civilian
Band of Sisters
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An interview with

Ulrike Clarke

Civilian
Band of Sisters
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An interview with

Kirsty Halfpenny

Civilian
Band of Sisters
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An interview with

Ken French

A remarkable and inspiring journey that saw Kenneth French, Bomber Command Navigator, survive 38 sorties during World War II

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Kenneth French, also known as Ken, was born in Wandsworth, London in 1920. While at school he enjoyed being outdoors and playing sports and fondly remembers his headmaster taking students out on walks in the countryside. This is where Ken learnt to draw maps. After leaving school, Ken used these skills in his job in the War Office, drawing maps for the RAF. His experience there made him want to do more for the war effort, and he volunteered for the RAF in 1941. He started his training in Canada. On the journey there, he recalls guarding American prisoners housed in a make-shift cell in the bowels of the ship. He was stationed in Winnipeg for 4 months before returning home to continue his training. His first operation was a day trip to Emmerich on the Rhine, where he saw an ally plane go down and only one person survive. In another operation, Ken recalls recording 18 friendly aircraft being shot down, and remembers not being able to do anything to help. Over his 38 operations, he witnessed 99 aircraft shot down; still Ken reflects that it was ‘a very gentle’ tour of operations. Ken took part in day and night-time raids, he was always focused on getting the job done and getting his squadron home safely. Whilst carrying out operations in the sky he wouldn’t take notice of any damage done on the ground. But once the war was over and he was stationed in Hamburg, he could see the damage caused by Bomber Command and described it as ‘absolutely horrific’. Ken describes his time in the RAF as a job to be done and he was happy to have survived, putting his survival down to luck and ability.
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Service:
RAF
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Jenny Bottomley

A detailed and emotional account of supporting a Royal Marine Commander partner after he is injured on tour in Afghanistan.

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CONTENT WARNING: This interview contains graphic details of injuries, which some viewers may find distressing. If you are affected by these topics, please consider seeking support from a trusted person or organisation. Jenny recounts how she met her now-husband, Daniel, when they were training with the Bolton Sea Cadets as teenagers. At the age of 19, Daniel began training for the Royal Marines. He was deployed shortly after completing his training and undertook two tours in Afghanistan. During his second tour, Daniel stepped on an IED and sustained injuries to his left hand and foot, resulting in amputation and requiring multiple skin grafts. Jenny describes the moment that Daniel’s parents arrived at her workplace while Daniel was on tour and anticipating the worst news. Throughout her interview, Jenny provides detailed information about Daniel’s injuries and surgeries. Jenny and Daniel are now married with one child and another on the way, and Dan has started his own business providing inspirational speaking to others who have experienced similar events. This account highlights the practical aspects of adapting to life-changing injuries and achieving personal and professional goals. Jenny would like her children and others to learn about the ‘war of our time’, which is why she has chosen to share her story.
Service:
Civilian
Project:
Band of Sisters
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Zoe Meakin

Civilian
Band of Sisters
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An interview with

Michele Apter

Civilian
Band of Sisters
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An interview with

Dorothy Kelton

Civilian
Band of Sisters
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An interview with

Vikki Foley

Army
Band of Sisters
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An interview with

Mervyn Salter

A Navy seaman gives an engaging account of his military service on board S-class destroyer HMS Saumarez during WWII.

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Mervyn Salter, an able seaman and anti-aircraft gunner, joined the Royal Navy in 1942 at the age of 18. He trained at HMS Raleigh and HMS Drake before being assigned to his first ship, HMS Saumarez, an S-class destroyer. Mervyn recalls his life and duties aboard the ship, including his first voyage during which the Saumarez escorted the Queen Mary with Winston Churchill on board. He goes on to vividly describe the challenges of the Arctic convoys, sharing detailed memories of the harsh conditions, and later provides an engaging account of the Saumarez’s battle with the German battleship Scharnhorst. Mervyn also recounts the ship’s role in providing artillery support on D-Day, which remains a particularly difficult experience for him to talk about. In 1944 the Saumarez gained a new skipper and was promoted to flotilla leader, setting sail for the Pacific where a new ocean provided a new enemy. Mervyn’s reflections on his military service are testament to the courage, resilience and camaraderie that defined his time in the Royal Navy, and his closing words remind us that the events of the war and the sacrifices made by so many must never be forgotten.
Service:
Navy
Project:
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Ernest Edwards

Civilian
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Jim Dimond

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Buster Brown

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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An interview with

Pat Massett

Navy
Naval Convoys (1939–1945)
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