David reflects on his journey from playing in his school’s local brass band to touring Hong Kong with a military band. In 1977, he joined the Queen's Own Highlanders as a tuba player. He toured the UK with the band, performing alongside the bagpipe section, which had a love-hate dynamic. In 1978, he started his studies at Kneller Hall where he had memorable experiences, including performing at Buckingham Palace. David also recounts two tours in Northern Ireland, where his band performed while carrying out military duties. He felt on edge, as military musicians were often targeted in Ireland. In 1980, David was posted to Hong Kong, where he assisted with illegal immigration duties along the Hong Kong-China border. During this time, he suffered a tragic accident that led to the amputation of both his legs. Afterward, his faith deepened, and he became the padre at Kneller Hall. In this role, he supports fellow soldiers, leads chapel services, and shares the teachings of Jesus. David takes great pride in his time with the military band, looking back on his brave and inspiring story with fondness.

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.