Richard Donovan's military journey with the Royal Welch Regiment began in 1951, when he narrowly missed deployment to Korea and instead embarked on an adventure in the Caribbean. Stationed at Park Camp in Jamaica, Donovan enjoyed the sun-soaked island life, even encountering Hollywood legend John Wayne on a beach. However, his time there wasn't all leisure; his regiment was tasked with internal security, facing challenges such as riots, a devastating hurricane, and disturbances in Grenada and British Guyana. After serving as an instructor, Donovan was finally sent to Korea, but fate had other plans. Just as he arrived, a peace treaty was signed, and his battalion was rerouted to Malaya. Here, he engaged in the harsh realities of the Malayan Emergency, conducting dangerous jungle patrols with the Ghurkhas against the Malayan Races Liberation Army (MRLA). Donovan's vivid accounts reveal the grueling tactics employed to weaken the MRLA, terrifying encounters with wildlife, and a near-trap sprung by two POWs. Leading a platoon through the dense jungle, Donovan's experiences included tracking a rogue elephant and surviving friendly fire incidents. Reflecting on his service, his only regret was retiring too early. In later life, he became a dedicated historian of the Royal Welch Regiment.

By the age of 14, Esther Hayes was approaching Grade 8 standard on the flute and piano. Three years in the band of the TA led her to pursue a full-time military musician career, and after completing basic training at ATR Winchester she spent her first year at Kneller Hall. Esther shares memories from her subsequent assignment to the Band of the Royal Corps of Signals, followed by a return to Kneller Hall for three more gruelling years of hard work to become a bandmaster. She went on to make history as the first female bandmaster of the Paras, and she talks about her experience of what was then a heavily male-dominated environment. After several years with the Paras, Esther returned to Kneller Hall, spending a couple of years in post as a Training Design Warrant Officer before joining the Household Cavalry and further developing her skills by learning to ride a horse whilst playing the flute. She goes on to talk about an operational role in Afghanistan, a stint in the Band of the Queen’s Division, and another return to Kneller Hall, this time to facilitate the training of the student bandmasters joining the ranks: a full-circle moment, but by no means the end of her incredible career.

With a childhood love of music and a military family background, a career in an army band was a natural choice for Fiona Shakspeare. After completing basic training she went to Kneller Hall, and she shares memories of her days as a student, including time spent perfecting her skills as a bassoonist and enduring her much-hated signing lessons. After Kneller Hall, Fiona’s first posting was to the Hussars and Light Dragoons, and her subsequent career took her to Kosovo, Germany and Iraq. She talks about the dual role of musician and soldier, describing what it was like to serve in a conflict zone, what her duties entailed, and why music still has its place in war. After her time abroad, Fiona was posted first to the Prince of Wales Division Band and then the Grenadier Guards. She talks about two of the greatest highlights of her career: playing in the Falkland Islands for the 25th anniversary of the conflict, and Trooping the Colour. At the time of her interview, Fiona was serving the final 12 months of her military career as Assistant Corp Secretary at Kneller Hall, and it’s easy to believe her when she says joining the army as a musician was the best decision she’s ever made.