My father was a bomb and mine disposal officer in the RN. His last posting before he retired was down to the Falklands during the war there. He and his team disposed of over nine unexploded bombs which had hit our ships.

I once asked him if he had been scared. He replied that he and his team just concentrated on the job in hand and took support from each other. But after a particular bomb had been made safe then he would get the shakes.

During the cold war period our submarines were used for close in observation of the Northern Russian Navy Ports. We were always worried about the consequences of getting caught, but again it was the support of your fellow crew members that steadied you.

During the Falklands War our boat was depth charged we were all very very scared, none of our training had ever prepared us for that. But the black humour of many of our crew held us together.

That is why I think the Band of Brothers is a superb story, it shows what can happen when people work together and watch out for each other.