Kay Wingate joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) at 19, inspired by her father, who had previously served in the army. Originally from Essex, her military career took her to the Isle of Man, where she trained as a member of the top-secret Y service, listening in to German military wireless signals. After learning how to decipher Morse code, she was then stationed in Harrogate as a wireless operative. Kay recalls she had ‘no aptitude’ for Morse and had to learn it from scratch. Despite this challenge, she surpassed the speed of 18 words per minute, a skill which offered her better pay. Some of the messages that the ATS decoded were sent to Bletchley Park. Having signed the Secrets Act, she wasn’t able to tell a soul about her work. She was released from service in 1946. Kay looks back on her time with the ATS with fond memories, which saw the forging of lifelong friendships. While she never saw combat, her interview offers an important insight into the day-to-day operations of those involved in the Secret War, in addition to the vital work carried out by the women’s branch of the British Army.

Michael White grew up in wartime England, facing rationing and Nazi air raids. At 18, Michael signed up for National Service and trained as a driver for the Royal Artillery. In August 1951, he travelled on the Empire Fowey for his first deployment in the Far East. After reaching Japan, he was sent to Kowloon, Hong Kong, where he learnt about the brutal fighting in Korea. Soon after, he was chosen for duty in Korea. Before leaving, he trained with mortars and became a Technical Assistant Royal Artillery (TARA). Michael recalls how he used 4.2 mortars against the enemy and his experience of napalm. Soldiers experienced very rough conditions, dealing with lice and long periods without washing. During rest and recuperation in Incheon and Hiroshima, Michael experienced Asian culture and much-needed relaxation. He fondly remembers flying over Mount Fuji and notes that many soldiers took photos beside signposts showing how far away home was. Michael has since returned to Korea, witnessing its amazing transformation. For his service, the Koreans awarded him a medal and invited him to visit a memorial in Pusan, honouring those who died.

Tony was brought up during World War Two and was conscripted into the Army, aged 18, in July 1950. The Korean War had begun and, after training, he was dispatched there via Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. At the front the weather was cold enough to freeze weapons and several men got frostbite. He was terrified when he had to use a mine detector and relieved when the Royal Engineers took over this duty. Later his platoon was hit by mortar fire and took heavy losses. At the Battle of the Imjin River his unit, with tank support, attacked a Chinese held hill. He remembers a tank destroying a bunker at point blank range. Later he caught dysentery and spent time in a hospital. When he returned to duty the war had stabilised and, by the end of the conflict, he thought he had become a good soldier although always frightened of capture.