John Boyd grew up in Essex, the son of a cowman, and was called up for National Service in the early 1950s. After a string of rejections from other corps, he found himself posted to the Royal Signals via the REME — a twist of fate that would send him far from home.

On his way to Germany, John seized the chance to volunteer for Korea. He recalls the long sea crossing, a sobering stop in Hiroshima, and his first days on the frontline. There he was issued with a 19 set radio — built originally for the Russian Army and still marked with Cyrillic script — which became his responsibility.

In his interview, John shares detailed memories of signal work, from wiring and exchanges to his time attached to an American unit where discipline was rather different. His stories are punctuated with humour — a lorry fire, the quirks of kit — but also moments of sadness, particularly the loss of a comrade to haemorrhagic fever. John’s reflections offer a vivid glimpse into the vital, and often overlooked, role of communications in Korea.

Louis Davies grew up on music and a family legacy of military service. It was thus a natural path for him to enrol in the military at the age of sixteen, with the dream of being in a military band. Louis describes the process of auditioning for and training at Kneller Hall (then the Royal Military School of Music). Louis speaks with great pride about the legacy and global renown of Kneller Hall, recalling some of the powerful and touching performances he was part of while studying there. After over three years at Kneller Hall, Louis transferred to the Navy as a Royal Marines Bugler. He continued to pursue his dream of being a full-time musician in the military until ultimately leaving to take care of his family.

Having experienced the loss of his parents at a young age, Dennis explains how this tragedy was in fact the making of him and led him to joining the national service with the support of his extended family. In 1952 Dennis Dymond joined the Royal Fusiliers at the Tower of London, and recalls how he thoroughly enjoyed his time there. When Dennis first joined the Royal Fusiliers he was not aware that he would be sent to Korea, and a year later he embarked on his journey to the far East. Remembering the war, Dennis reveals he could never fire a rifle but enjoyed working with a mortar when in battle. He humorously discloses that his only fears during the war were explosives, mines and worst of all, snakes. In reflecting on Korea, Dennis discusses the brutality of warfare and, although he hadn't been on the front line, the awful conditions and violence enveloped in the Korean war. His lasting memories are of watching small children fleeing from war-torn towns and the refugees who begged for rations among the soldiers. Dennis's interview provides an insightful and emotional account of his early life, time spent in Korea and his ever-lasting memories of battle.