Gilbert Beck’s journey into military music began humbly in rural Oxfordshire, where his father brought home a grand piano from a local market, sparking a lifelong passion. Raised in a musical family, Gilbert sang in the church choir and played organ before joining the Army in 1948 as a band boy with the Royal Artillery. Trained at Woolwich and later Kneller Hall, Gilbert played double bass, tuba, and bass trombone, eventually joining the North Staffordshire Regiment. His musical service took him across Europe and into the Korean War, where he played a vital role in maintaining morale. From conducting services with a portable organ to performing for multinational troops, including Canadians and Americans, his music helped bridge cultural divides in a devastated landscape. In Korea, Gilbert played at the dedication of a tented village for displaced civilians and led hymns at makeshift services in Gloucester Valley. His experience highlighted the humanising power of music amid the harshness of war. Later selected for the demanding bandmaster course at Kneller Hall, Gilbert's talent earned him great respect, even as he ultimately chose family life over a full military career. Music remained central to Gilbert’s life, both in and out of uniform - a true servant of harmony in service and in peace.

Eric Peters joined the army on New Year’s Day, 1945, at age 17. Initially sent to Markeaton Park, Derby, to the General Service Corps, he was persuaded by a friend to join the Black Watch and later, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was posted to Germany to manage records of soldiers. After a brief period, Eric was posted to India during the war of independence. He arrived in Bombay and took a six-day train journey to the North West Frontier. One night, while sleeping in the back of the barracks, Eric and his battalion heard shouting, fighting, and gunshots. The next morning, they found that everyone in the streets had been slain. Soldiers on horseback quickly escorted them out of the town. This traumatic experience has stayed with Eric ever since. After leaving Karachi, Eric's regiment was split, and he was assigned to the Argylls. He was then posted to Palestine, Egypt, England, and spent 18 months in Hong Kong before heading to Korea. Upon arrival, they found only a 30-mile perimeter of South Korea left. Eric fought throughout Korea, from Nakdong and Tagu to the North Korean capital. The soldiers, ill-equipped for the bitter winter, ate American rations of beef burgers, frankfurters, coffee, and cocoa—Eric loved the food. During a night mission, Eric was tasked with scouting a nearby village. His commanding officer assured him that his group would be the only one operating that night. After completing the scouting and crossing back over the frozen river, they encountered a group of soldiers. Remaining alert, they approached and asked for the password, which the soldiers correctly provided. It became clear that his group was not the only one operating that night, Eric was very angry. As the Chinese joined the war, Eric was preparing to leave Korea. After his departure, he was stationed in Hong Kong for 12 months before returning home. Upon arrival, the streets of Edinburgh were filled with people applauding their return. Eric describes the Korean War as an experience—not a pleasant one, but a part of life.