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.

Michael White grew up in wartime England, facing rationing and Nazi air raids. At 18, Michael signed up for National Service and trained as a driver for the Royal Artillery. In August 1951, he travelled on the Empire Fowey for his first deployment in the Far East. After reaching Japan, he was sent to Kowloon, Hong Kong, where he learnt about the brutal fighting in Korea. Soon after, he was chosen for duty in Korea. Before leaving, he trained with mortars and became a Technical Assistant Royal Artillery (TARA). Michael recalls how he used 4.2 mortars against the enemy and his experience of napalm. Soldiers experienced very rough conditions, dealing with lice and long periods without washing. During rest and recuperation in Incheon and Hiroshima, Michael experienced Asian culture and much-needed relaxation. He fondly remembers flying over Mount Fuji and notes that many soldiers took photos beside signposts showing how far away home was. Michael has since returned to Korea, witnessing its amazing transformation. For his service, the Koreans awarded him a medal and invited him to visit a memorial in Pusan, honouring those who died.

Mike Jackson joined the army aged 17 in 1961 and went to Sandhurst next year. Initially in the Intelligence Corps he then joined the Parachute Regiment. In the early 1970s he was posted to Northern Ireland. Here he witnessed or was close to many harrowing events such as the Ballymurphy killings, Bloody Sunday and the Warrenpoint ambush. He saw bodies dismembered by bombs and acknowledged that this could be traumatic. Mike thinks that soldiers adapt to such events, helped by the adrenalin the body produces. He did not want to go into detail regarding Bloody Sunday as he had already disclosed this during the Saville Report years earlier. He regrets that he missed the Falklands War as he was working in the MOD at the time and after service in Norway he was sent to former Yugoslavia. Here he commanded the British 3^rd division and some units from other nations. Later, in 1999, he commanded KFOR, a multi-national peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina. During this time he was ordered by General Clark, the US overall commander, to prevent a Russian unit from seizing Pristina airfield. Jackson refused the order, saying that he was not going to ‘…start the Third World War…’, an action which gained notoriety in the media. Later, in 2003, he was promoted to head of the Army. In 2006 he retired after forty-five years’ service. He describes his career as both enjoyable and rewarding as it helped to make a difference to peoples lives.