At only 16 years old, Jean Argles felt a calling to serve in the army. By 18, she found herself in London, interviewing for the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY). A critical question was asked in the interview: “Do you do crosswords?” A test of Jean’s aptitude for critical code and cipher work during wartime. With her answer, Jean entered a world of secrecy, decoding messages in operations that took her over the globe. After carrying out her training on Baker Street, she learned of opportunities overseas. Jean’s work took her from London to Egypt, working on the banks of the Nile. She carried out work to code messages for undercover agents in Greece and the Balkans, and also recalls fond memories of exploration in Egypt: nightclubs, horse-riding and visiting the Pyramids. Following this, she volunteered for a new assignment in Italy. Stationed in a small fishing village, Jean supported resistance members, encoding vital messages. When the German army finally surrendered, Jean remained in Italy until September before returning to the UK. Reflecting on her time with the FANYs, she describes it as the most transformative experience of her life. It offered her freedom, confidence, and a sense of purpose. Jean’s story is a testament to the unique opportunities the war presented to women at a time when their roles were otherwise limited. For Jean, the FANYs weren’t only about service, they were a gateway to adventure and independence.

John Mitchell joined the army in 1943. He undertook 6 weeks of basic training in Aberdeen, before completing 21 weeks of wireless operator training in Yorkshire. He joined the 1 Corps Signals in Hunterston, Scotland, to prepare for D-Day and shipped out to Normandy on June 5^th 1944. John landed on Juno beach on D-Day +1. He describes seeing the aftermath of the initial invasion, and the quick progress that had been made to fortify the landing zones. He details his responsibilities as a wireless operator in Normandy, as well as recounting his experiences with French locals. John and his crew served alongside the 4^th Commandos, Pioneer Company, and the Black Watch Battalion and saw action throughout France, Belgium, and Holland. He recollects the aftermath of the offensive and the impact of bombings across his journey. He was briefly stationed in Germany as the war ended, and was then shipped to the Middle East, where he gives a brief, but eye-opening account of Jewish violence towards British soldiers. With everything that he has seen, John’s overriding memory from Normandy is that he is fortunate to be alive and to have seen all that he did.