After an unsure start to her career, Sandy soon realised she was talented at using the teleprinter and was immediately taken to the signals centre to begin working in communications. Sandy describes the rapid developments in technology and machines she oversaw whilst working for the Royal Signals, and remembers the complex relationship British intelligence had with American intelligence when co-working with satellite shuttles. She also recalls the adversities of being a woman in the army, not only regarding gender discrimination, but also the manner in which the SIB invested lesbianism amongst members of the WRAC. Sandy sadly describes her own experience with the investigations team, and due to being accused of same sex relations, was forced to leave the army instantly. This interview provides important insight into not only the highly vital roles women played within the WRAC, but also the range of issues they faced. Reflecting on the WRAC Sandy states that although she is proud to have served her country, she never felt like her life was truly hers.

Bernard Lynham joined the 46 Commando, Royal Marines, just before turning 18, inspired by his brother’s long service in the Marines. He quickly adapted to the gruelling training, enduring speed marches, cliff climbing, and parachute jumps in Scotland while always carrying his full kit. This demanding preparation forged a deep sense of camaraderie among the men, who often pooled their money for nights out, creating bonds that would be tested in the battles ahead. Deployed to Normandy shortly after D-Day, Bernard faced the harsh realities of war as he and his comrades embarked on dangerous night patrols, scouting for German positions. It was during one of these missions that a seemingly minor moment would become a pivotal point in Bernard’s life. As he paused to adjust his bootlace, an event occurred that would change everything, leaving him with injuries that ultimately ended his active service. Though he escaped death that day, the experience left him with wounds that would trouble him for years to come. Despite the trauma, Bernard speaks with pride about his time in the Royal Marines, remembering the loyalty, bravery, and unbreakable spirit of his fellow Commandos. After the war, Bernard resumed civilian life, working for the electricity board for 35 years, but his memories of Normandy and the comrades he lost have never faded. Interviewed when he was in his 90s, Bernard’s story is a poignant reminder of the resilience and courage of those who served, offering a glimpse into the life of a true wartime hero.

George describes his WWII childhood in Cornwall, leaving school at 14 and working as an apprentice for the General Post Office (GPO). Conscripted into the army’s Royal Corps of Signals aged 19, he remembers training camp instructors’ hostility and his lasting camaraderie with trainees from all backgrounds. He recalls seeing other countries and nationalities for the first time during his 28-day journey to Korea, becoming emotional while reflecting upon his arrival in Pusan, where he saw refugees facing extreme poverty and the ravages of war. As a wireless operator, George drove reconnaissance vehicles around the Imjin River. At night, he scraped sleeping holes into hillsides or slept under the stars, always missing home but never frightened. He conveys the stench of war, the whistling of shell fire overhead, the suffocating heat of the dusty summer and the sometimes-fatal blistering winter cold. He reminisces fondly about the Korean nation and the feeling of returning home to Penzance. George’s depiction of wartime smells, sights and sounds show the enduring intensity of veterans’ memories even decades later. His interview highlights how, for some, deployment was the adventure of a lifetime that took them to otherwise inaccessible corners of the world.