Conscripted into the Army, Peter Matthews completed his basic training at Shorncliffe Barracks before being posted to Berlin as part of Operation Plainfare, the British element of the Berlin Airlift. A bout of illness delayed his journey; by the time he recovered, the Russians had closed the roads, railways and rivers, so Peter had to be flown in — a dramatic introduction to a divided city.

In his interview, Peter recalls the Queen’s Royal Regiment’s role in maintaining order and containing the Russian threat during the blockade. He shares vivid memories of a riot at the German Chancellery, of seeing former concentration camp prisoners working alongside SS men, and of being billeted at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium — a poignant billet for a sports lover.

Peter talks candidly about joint guard duties at Spandau Prison, the danger of infection from bodies still buried in the rubble, and the stark contrasts between British and American rations. His reflections on Russian behaviour at the end of the war underline why so much effort was poured into keeping Berlin’s people fed and fuelled — and why this story remains so important to tell.

Raised in the garrison town of Colchester, Maisie enlisted in 2002 after earning her music degree. She trained at Kneller Hall before joining the band of the Parachute Regiment. As a trumpet player, Maisie describes the immense pressure of performing The Last Post at commemorations and funerals. Maisie served in Iraq in 2004, stationed in Basra, and Afghanistan in 2010-2011. She notes the unique experience of being one of the few women in a male-dominated environment during these conflicts. She also describes the various roles of the band in an active war zone, in addition to sustaining morale. After almost a decade of service, Maisie left the army in 2011. She recounts many of the incredible events she performed at, and expresses how difficult it was to leave that identity behind when returning to civilian life.

Gerald “Gerry” Farmer grew up in East London and briefly experienced evacuation during the Second World War before returning home. At 18 he was called up for National Service and, by December 1951, found himself conscripted to the Korean War.

In his interview, Gerry recalls the long journey to Korea with the Royal Fusiliers, his responsibilities on Hill 159, and the brutal reality of the Battle of the Hook. He tells of saving the life of a Korean soldier, being wounded by shrapnel, and the lasting memories of those who did not survive. His return to Korea in 1981 stirred powerful emotions, contrasting the devastation he remembered with the rebuilt country he saw.

Gerry also offers candid reflections on the war itself: the harsh weather, unsuitable equipment, the disparity in pay between national forces, and his doubts about why they were really fighting. Amidst these hard truths, he shares lighter moments — camaraderie with Australian soldiers, a first taste of Jack Daniels, and even an encounter with Michael Caine.

His story is one of hardship, humour, and honesty about a conflict too often forgotten.