At Legasee Educational Trust, our mission is simple yet profound: to preserve and share the personal stories of veterans who have served their country. By capturing their oral histories on video, we ensure that future generations can hear these powerful accounts firsthand. For us, it’s about keeping history alive, not just as dates and events, but through the lived experiences of the people who were there.
Hampshire, with its rich military heritage, has a special place in our video library. The county’s long association with the British Army, Navy, and Air Force means that many of the veterans whose stories we’ve recorded have deep connections to the region.
D-Day Veterans: Stories from the Hampshire Coast
One of our most significant collections is that of D-Day veterans—many of whom set sail from Hampshire’s coastline in 1944. We’re proud to have partnered with the D-Day Museum in Portsmouth to record over 130 veterans’ personal experiences. The insights we gathered helped shape the first series of The Veterans’ Voice podcast, which brings listeners right into the heart of these historic moments.
Take John Jenkins, for example—a D-Day veteran who, despite the risk of court martial, humorously recalls how, just days before the invasion, he slipped out of a corralling camp in Essex. Determined to see his newborn baby, he made his way to Portsmouth via London, and then hurried back to camp, where, luckily, his absence went unnoticed. These moments of humanity amidst the uncertainty of war remind us of the personal stories that make history so vivid.
Trailblazing Women: The WRAC Project
Our current project focuses on recording the stories of Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC) veterans, who were often pioneers in their own right. One such trailblazer is Janet Brodie-Murphy, whose time at Aldershot in the 1990s saw her champion a significant change: the availability of contraception for women in the military. Janet, like many of the women of the WRAC, had the confidence to question inequalities and the drive to bring about change, making a lasting impact on the rights and opportunities for women in the British Army. Her story is just one example of how WRAC veterans paved the way for future generations of women in the armed forces.
Why This Work Matters
Our work at Legasee goes beyond simply documenting history—it’s about education, engagement, and ensuring that these stories are accessible to everyone. We believe that veterans’ stories shouldn’t just sit in archives—they should be used to teach and inspire, especially for communities like Hampshire, where military history runs deep. These personal accounts are a vital resource for schools, universities, and museums, helping to bring history to life in a way that textbooks simply can’t.
There is a natural synergy between our mission and that of the Hampshire Archives Trust. Both organisations are committed to preserving the stories and memories that shape our communities. By continuing to capture and share the experiences of veterans from Hampshire and beyond, we help to ensure that these voices are never lost.
At Legasee, we’re proud of the stories we’ve collected and the veterans we’ve met. Their courage, resilience, and humanity remind us of the sacrifices made in service to our country. And for those of us in Hampshire, these stories are a vital part of our shared history.
Listen to The Veterans’ Voice podcast: https://shows.acast.com/the-veterans-voice/episodes
Explore Legasee’s Interview Library: https://www.legasee.org.uk
Author: Martin Bisiker
Bio: Martin Bisiker is a former TV Producer who set up the educational charity, the Legasee Educational Trust in 2011. Legasee’s mission is to preserve and provide free access to video interviews with military veterans, covering conflicts from World War II to the present. The library, which holds over 700 personal accounts, is a resource for researchers, students, and the public, offering personal insights into modern military history.