Stephen Weall served as a regular officer in the Royal Marines, retiring with the rank of Captain after a career that spanned active service, training, and senior logistical roles. His military life began in 1962, following an unplanned but decisive shift away from the Army and into the Royal Marines, where demanding training gave him both focus and a lasting sense of purpose. Stephen’s first operational deployment was to Aden, a place he recalls initially as relatively calm, before tensions escalated into what became known as the Aden Emergency. As a young troop commander with 45 Commando, he experienced the realities of counter-insurgency operations in some of the harshest terrain of the Radfan Mountains. Life there was basic and exposed: long patrols at altitude, minimal equipment, unreliable radios, and complete reliance on helicopters for water and resupply. Stephen describes this period as “old-fashioned soldiering,” drawing parallels with Victorian frontier warfare, where small units operated independently against lightly armed but resilient tribal fighters. He later took part in operations beyond Aden, including the intervention in East Africa following the mutiny of the Tanganyika Rifles, before returning to the Radfan as the campaign intensified. Despite moments of contact with the enemy, Stephen’s reflections are restrained and thoughtful, focusing less on combat and more on responsibility, leadership, and the realities of command under pressure. Stephen returned to Aden again in 1967, this time as a motor transport officer, during the British withdrawal. It is this period that provokes some of his strongest reflections. He recalls the unease of dismantling a long-standing presence, and the moral discomfort of seeing local employees paid off and left vulnerable as Britain departed. Looking back, Stephen regards Aden as a “forgotten war” — one that lacks clear victory or resolution, but which nonetheless mattered deeply to those who served. For him, its significance lies not in strategy or outcome, but in the professionalism, endurance, and mutual care shown by ordinary servicemen operating in difficult and often thankless circumstances.

In 1952 Lesley Simpson was called up for National Service. Lesley was excited for this, as he viewed it as a way to travel the world, free of charge. Basic training took six weeks, he learnt how to fire weapons, how to march and salute, and so much more. Lesley passed his basic training and went on to join the Royal Corps of Signals. Lesley volunteered to go to Korea, as one of his good friends was stationed there. The journey took four weeks, setting off onboard the Troopship Dunera from Southampton and arriving in Kure, Japan. During the summer, Lesley remembers working from 6am to midday, with an hour for breakfast. His role as a radio mechanic was to service wireless equipment. During downtime, he went to the banks of the River Imjin to swim and play football. In the summer they wore normal fatigues (casual military uniform). When winter arrived, he remembers it getting very cold, sometimes down to -40c. They wore special boots that would keep them warm and dry, a parker that had 3 layers, and other waterproofs. Lesley recalls never being cold due to the excellent clothing. The soldiers were encouraged to write home, Lesley made sure to do this, writing home at least once a week to friends and family. Lesley’s time in Korea came to an end in November 1954, he left onboard the Troopship Asturias. He remembers finding it difficult to transition back into everyday life, but after a while was able to find a job as a junior surveyor. National service taught Lesley how to be self-sufficient and how to look after himself. In the years after national service, Lesley maintained associations with the armed forces, including Blind Veterans UK and The British Korean Veterans Association. He was offered a trip back to Korea, paid for by the Korean government. Lesley was very impressed at the state of the country, describing it as being completely rebuilt and that the standard of living was amazing.