Fred Millward joined the Army when he was seventeen, he served with the 9th Battalion Parachute regiment and was part of the D-day landings and the Battle of Merville Gun Battery. In his interview he talks us through his training, the year building up to June 1944, and the D-day landings. Before the day, Fred and his team knew a mission was close after switching to practicing night jumps. Their Commanding Officer briefed them, warning many wouldn't return. They flew from RAF Broadwell to the French coast, and Fred was blown out of the plane by anti-aircraft fire. Thankfully, he landed safely near the rendezvous point, but sadly, many men died, with only 150 of 700 making it on time for the start of the mission. The fighting began right away, with many men dying from landmines. Fred described the Merville Gun Battery as being surrounded by barbed wire, cattle fencing, and minefields. They breached the area with Bangalore torpedoes and covered 150 yards to reach the main fortification, which Fred called a miracle. After completing their mission, they were mistakenly bombed by Americans but luckily everyone survived. After regrouping, they went to Chateau De Saint Come and were ordered to defend it at all costs – no retreat, no surrender. The Chateau overlooked the whole flank of the Allied invasion, critical for winning. They stayed for five days amidst horrific fighting, with Fred describing the terrible smell and conditions. Fred was sent to Bois De Bavent forest and had a close call. He and his sergeant were helping survivors of a crash when they were mortared by the enemy. Fred’s sergeant died, and Fred was severely injured, losing hearing in one ear. After recovering, he was offered a guard commander position. During the Allied invasion, Fred met his future wife from the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and they married in 1945.

David joined the military band at 16 as a trumpet player, enlisting in the Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards in 1976. He took up the clarinet and joined the band in Germany, where they faced some local hostility. In 1979, he became a ‘Kneller Boy,’ recalling fond memories of performances, including playing for Princess Margaret before a Summer Concert. David describes the various jobs band members had to undertake at Kneller Hall and later returned to Germany, where he briefly took up the Saxophone. He reflects on the challenges of the military’s promotion system, often referred to as the ‘dead man's shoes’ system, and eventually left the band to join the police. In 1995, David joined the Army Medical Services and was still invited to perform with the band on several occasions. He played extensively in the Gulf and former Soviet countries, which he believes helped strengthen diplomatic ties, particularly with nations like Jordan. David feels the band played a vital role in promoting British industries and easing international tensions and personally helped with his confidence.

Peter was conscripted when he turned 21 in 1951. He was sent to the Army Service Corp where he learnt how to drive various vehicles and also became responsible for the new national service recruits. He was unaware that war had broken out in Korea until he returned from leave to see his name on the board for dispatch there. Peter recalls the 4 week journey to Pusan and the devastated landscape where the trees had all be burnt down and the land scorched. One day he spots a notice looking for a medical orderly and gets the job. One of the big bonuses was a tent to himself and no longer sharing with eleven other men. He describes his day to day duties and having his eyes opened to the spread of VD. He then applies for a job looking after the canteen supplies. He didn’t have to go on any patrols but would go out to help retrieve dead bodies. Peter also describes the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) tents where he was impressed by the work being done. Peter reflects that his time serving may not have been the most exciting but it was important, valuable work that needed done.