George Bayliss shares his experiences serving in the Territorial Army with the 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire regiment. Having worked with explosives in a firework factory he was assigned to the pioneer platoon, working in a close-knit battalion to clear mines. George recalls his training clearing mines, how dangerous this work was, and describes experiences of shelling whilst living close to the Germans. He recounts his preparation for the Battle of Cassino, marching across the river whilst being shelled, and then being in front making a safe passage through the minefield for the rest of his company and shares personal anecdotes of singing hymns and writing letters to his wife. He details horrific injuries he saw inflicted on his young colleagues and how lucky he was to escape serious injury. As the war comes to an end George explains how he was posted to a REME (Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers) unit and waited for demob to be sent back to England and his happy reunion with his wife.

Fred Millward joined the Army when he was seventeen, he served with the 9th Battalion Parachute regiment and was part of the D-day landings and the Battle of Merville Gun Battery. In his interview he talks us through his training, the year building up to June 1944, and the D-day landings. Before the day, Fred and his team knew a mission was close after switching to practicing night jumps. Their Commanding Officer briefed them, warning many wouldn't return. They flew from RAF Broadwell to the French coast, and Fred was blown out of the plane by anti-aircraft fire. Thankfully, he landed safely near the rendezvous point, but sadly, many men died, with only 150 of 700 making it on time for the start of the mission. The fighting began right away, with many men dying from landmines. Fred described the Merville Gun Battery as being surrounded by barbed wire, cattle fencing, and minefields. They breached the area with Bangalore torpedoes and covered 150 yards to reach the main fortification, which Fred called a miracle. After completing their mission, they were mistakenly bombed by Americans but luckily everyone survived. After regrouping, they went to Chateau De Saint Come and were ordered to defend it at all costs – no retreat, no surrender. The Chateau overlooked the whole flank of the Allied invasion, critical for winning. They stayed for five days amidst horrific fighting, with Fred describing the terrible smell and conditions. Fred was sent to Bois De Bavent forest and had a close call. He and his sergeant were helping survivors of a crash when they were mortared by the enemy. Fred’s sergeant died, and Fred was severely injured, losing hearing in one ear. After recovering, he was offered a guard commander position. During the Allied invasion, Fred met his future wife from the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and they married in 1945.

Born in Manchester and raised in foster care, John Clarke became an apprentice at sixteen before joining The Black Watch, following in his grandfather’s footsteps. After training in Scotland as part of the 6th Battalion, he was deployed to Tunisia, where he fought at Sidi Medienne and helped rescue wounded prisoners from an enemy ship—a highlight of his service. He later trained in Cairo, before being stationed high up the Aurunci Mountains in Italy with the British division in the American 5th Army. John joined the 12th Brigade in Cassino and remembers the chaos around Monte Cassino monastery, the heavy casualties, and the many acts of bravery. Post-war, he joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, managing the armoury in Gaza. John reflects on his military career, recalling memorable moments including meeting Winston Churchill. For John, the friends he made during the war became the family he never had growing up.