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.

When the Second World War started, Pauline Payne was just 13 years old. Excited by the prospect, she initially wanted to join the Land Army, however quickly changed her mind after being tested by her father on her level of commitment.  Instead, at age 17, she joined the FANY, which was assuredly much safer. As an only child it took Pauline a lot of getting used to, particularly the switch from having her own bedroom to sleeping in shared quarters with 32 other beds, however she recalls greatly enjoying the social side of life within the FANY. She was encouraged to go to dances, and remembers the excitement of the Americans arriving, bringing with them more food and cigarettes, which she would swap for soap. Throughout the war, Pauline would work at a number of SOE stations in Britain. To get a signal, she remembers having to stand on duck boards holding a large electric coil, listening out for messages from agents working in Europe.  It wasn’t until after the war that Pauline realised the importance of her work on transmitters. Being young and very inexperienced, it was her first experience of war, and for a long time she'd never had to consider the prospect of people being killed. With a lot at stake, maintaining a good atmosphere within the FANY was very important. Pauline remembers her involvement with much enjoyment, and considers it to be a liberating time in her life.

Content Warning This interview contains discussions of suicide, PTSD, and substance abuse, which some viewers may find distressing. If you are affected by these topics, please consider seeking support from a trusted person or organisation.   Lorna Hunter, the devoted wife of veteran Thomas Hunter, explains their shared experiences of military service, struggles with PTSD, and their journey to finding support and healing.  Tom served 22 years in the Army, enlisting at 17 and starting in 16 Air Defence, before transferring to 50 Missile in the Royal Artillery due to his boxing skills (which can be found on YouTube!). He later joined the Royal Logistics Corps in the Territorial Army while working as a postman for 21 years. His service took him across Germany and on tour in the Falklands before his 2003 deployment to Iraq, where he developed PTSD. Years of boxing also led to Dementia Pugilistica.  For Lorna, military life brought isolation, especially after 2003. Tom’s struggles after Iraq also proved difficult; diagnosed with PTSD as an army medic, he was denied military support as a reservist. As his mental health declined, job loss and isolation took their toll. Lorna fought tirelessly for answers, and after years of inconclusive treatments, Tom was finally diagnosed with dementia. Help came through Phoenix House, a veteran recovery centre. In the Band of Brothers, Tom rediscovered his love for sports, competing in the Warrior Games and carrying the GB team’s torch. Lorna, too, found solace in the Band of Sisters. She now urges others: “Make the call-Pheonix House saved my husband’s life.”