Capturing the story of a generation

Work / The Royal Mint / Stories of War

The opportunity and requirement to create content not binded to the release of a specific coin is unusual. But when Alan King, one of the few remaining veterans of the Normandy landings was introduced to us, it was an opportunity not to be missed.

Fritton Lake

Alan King was trained as a Sherman tank driver and took part in several key battles during the Second World War including the Normandy landings. He is one of very few who still wear the 27th Armoured Brigade seahorse badge.

Few of us will know the horror of having our best friend die in our arms but Alan had to endure this and more during his service.

We conducted the interview at the very spot where Alan did his training - Fritton Lake in Great Yarmouth. It was a place of great memory for Alan who revealed how many sunken tanks must still be at the bottom of the lake.