After taking up the trombone at a young age, Kevin went on to play within the band movement. It was here that he was influenced by a teacher who was an ex-Scots Guards bandsman, this experience sharpened his enthusiasm into what would eventually become his life-long career and passion. In 1982 Kevin enlisted in the Parachute Regiment at age 16. Kevin’s army career has spanned 36 years at the time of this interview, during which he has served in Kenya, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Kuwait, Jordan and Germany to name a few. He describes his spiritual home as Kneller Hall where he was able to focus and hone his musical skills, eventually becoming a musical director. His tours of duty have a common theme, that of community service, care, and compassion offered to his colleagues in the army and to the communities in the countries they were based in. This is particularly reflected in his discussion of the role the band played in Northern Ireland and in Iraq, offering sensitive and compassionate interventions in incredibly difficult circumstances to people who were often traumatised by war and conflict. He is incredibly proud of what they have been able to achieve.

Sharon's interview provides an insight into the life of an ambitious woman who pushed against gender boundaries at the time. Having always wanted to join the military, Sharon thrived on the discipline at Guildford and felt proud to wear her uniform. She describes however, the difference in treatment towards men and women within her chef trade training, and how she felt as if the expectations of women were far lower than that of their male counterpoints. Sharon also describes her first posting to Ireland with the Army Catering Corps and the harsh reality of serving during this dangerous period. She later recalls her return to Belfast in 1988, where she was an unfortunate victim of the bombing and reflects on the trauma, she, and others alike, faced on that tour. Sharon also describes the conditions she worked in at the nuclear bunker in Wilton during the height of the Cold War. She only cooked with rations, tinned goods and remained underground for entire shifts. From this point onwards she continued to rise in her corps and as a result became the first female chef to serve officer residences, where she catered for individuals such as Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Reflecting on her time with the WRAC Sharon maintains that she feels forever connected to the female corps, but recognises how it restricted women's opportunities at the time.

Charles Eagles joined the Army at 18, initially completing commando training before being posted to 9^th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He had boxed before joining up and continued to train in the army, which is how he caught the eye of an officer who was forming S Company, charged with mine clearance. His battalion landed in the second wave at 9.30 on Gold Beach, but he lost all his gear when he was dropped in deep water and had to drop it to stay afloat. In a detailed and enthralling account, Charles's recalls the camaraderie, the tough training and the nervous excitement prior to D-Day. He describes in detail being under fire and the slow pace of advance as they cleared mines with bayonets because the ground favoured the defenders. He shows the humanity of war in describing his capture and interaction with some Germans, and how the tables turned when they realised they were surrounded and asked him to negotiate their surrender. Later, he describes how he cleared a mine under an officer’s foot, and how later he was wounded when his own vehicle hit a mine.