John shares with us his memories of training as a Commando, including learning to swim, and specialising as an assault engineer. He was sent to Japan where he had to retrain on American equipment and weapons supplied by the US Marines. John would take part in raiding parties setting off explosives. John recalls the contrasting environments of desolate Hiroshima and beautiful Mount Fuji. His next objective is to get to the Chosin River Reservoir but they come under heavy fire from the Chinese in freezing conditions and with ammunition running low, so the decision is made to surrender. John admits that while he was mentally prepared to be killed or wounded, he had never thought about becoming a prisoner of war until he was one. He describes the terrible three week journey crossing the mountains, being made to march at night and in freezing conditions. Once at Camp 10 the men were subjected to indoctrination about the evils of capitalism. They were forced to march again, this time they believed to their freedom but, cruelly, only some POWs were handed over and the others, including John, had to march on to a different camp where the conditions were worse. John recalls day to day conditions in the camp and the punishments meted out, especially on those who tried to escape. John is finally released to Freedom Village at the end of the war. He recalls it was all a bit of a blur and that returning home took some adjustment as it felt like no one in authority cared.

Mervyn Salter, an able seaman and anti-aircraft gunner, joined the Royal Navy in 1942 at the age of 18. He trained at HMS Raleigh and HMS Drake before being assigned to his first ship, HMS Saumarez, an S-class destroyer. Mervyn recalls his life and duties aboard the ship, including his first voyage during which the Saumarez escorted the Queen Mary with Winston Churchill on board. He goes on to vividly describe the challenges of the Arctic convoys, sharing detailed memories of the harsh conditions, and later provides an engaging account of the Saumarez’s battle with the German battleship Scharnhorst. Mervyn also recounts the ship’s role in providing artillery support on D-Day, which remains a particularly difficult experience for him to talk about. In 1944 the Saumarez gained a new skipper and was promoted to flotilla leader, setting sail for the Pacific where a new ocean provided a new enemy. Mervyn’s reflections on his military service are testament to the courage, resilience and camaraderie that defined his time in the Royal Navy, and his closing words remind us that the events of the war and the sacrifices made by so many must never be forgotten.