It was June 1940 - the dark days of World War Two - and Britain were retreating from the beaches of Dunkirk.
But as the British Expeditionary Force licked its wounds, Prime Minister Winston Churchill demanded action.
And that was how a now long-retired mid Wales farmer found himself as part of a specially assembled fighting force of 115 men.
Their daring raid went on to inspire the Commandos, and special forces like the SAS and the US Army Rangers.
But it is only now that 96-year-old Ted Jones from Welshpool has been able to piece together the significance of that night in France - the night Britain launched Operation Collar.

It was only after talking to friends in the Welshpool Royal Welch Fusiliers group that they put the times and places together and worked it out.