When war broke out, Joan was initially in Civil Defence. However, after two years she was called up to the Auxiliary Territorial Service at the age of twenty-two; this was the women’s branch of the Army. She was sent to London for training, where she learned how to drive an ambulance. Joan was posted to Edinburgh where the barracks were so cold she slept with her greatcoat on. Later she drove her ambulance during the bombing of London. Just before D-day she remembers seeing huge columns of tanks and other vehicles, in preparation for the landings. After the invasion there were a lot more wounded to take to hospitals but the casualties decreased toward the end of the war. In Aldershot her barracks was bombed, and she also remembers the rations of unpleasant marrow jam and horse meat. She used to swap her cigarette ration for sweets. Like many others, once the war was over she missed the camaraderie of the Army. Thank you Joan for sharing your memories at the wonderful age of 107!

Alan reflects on his extensive career as a euphonium player in the military band, which began at age 16 when he auditioned for the army band, driven by his lifelong love of music. He fondly recalls his time at Kneller Hall, which he describes as the historic home of military music and his experiences performing for the community on numerous occasions. In 1972, his band's single of Amazing Grace became number one in the charts, and they were invited to tour Australia. Alan also toured extensively across America and Europe, including a visit to St. Petersburg in Rome, where his band was invited to breakfast with Pope John Paul II and performed for President Reagan at the White House. In 1977, a particularly busy year, the band played at numerous royal engagements, including at Buckingham Palace, where Alan met the Queen. He recounts his deployment to the Gulf in 1990, where he served as a medic, treating many casualties and the band kept the soldiers' spirits high by organising a Christmas concert. Alan highlights the emotional challenges band members faced during and after the Gulf War, particularly with limited support.