Corporal Samuel Spears and Private Hugo Boyd, of Townsville’s 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), honoured the fallen with music at the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong in Korea.

The performance, on a battlefield that forged the reputation of the 3rd Battalion, was both an honour and a test of composure for the musicians.

Private Boyd, who joined 3RAR in 2021, said he found purpose and pride in continuing a long-standing tradition as a bugler.

“When I came to 3RAR, my skills were taken really seriously and this gave me pride to take up the legacy and to continue the tradition of playing in ceremonies alongside the pipes and drums," he said.

Set against the weight of history and regimental legacy, playing within the battlefield brought a different kind of pressure.

“Marching up to the memorial I was terrified,” Private Boyd said.

“But I had this overwhelming feeling that this was everything I’ve trained for; my whole career playing the bugle has led up to this moment, and this is the moment I represent my battalion.”

It was an experience Private Boyd said he would remember for a lifetime.

“For that brief period, I had this unshaken feeling of patriotism that made me realise what it means to be an Australian, and more importantly what it means to be in the 3rd Battalion,” he said.

'We saw first-hand how hard Kapyong would have been for the soldiers to live and fight in.'

Alongside him, Corporal Spears carried the sound of the bagpipes across the same ground where Australian soldiers once fought to hold the line during the Korean War.

While the 3RAR contingent hiked up to the company positions, Corporal Spears played atop the hill, a tribute to those who never made it back home.

“It was humbling seeing the battle positions, how steep it was to get to them and how there would have been no trees covering the positions,” Corporal Spears said.

“We saw first-hand how hard Kapyong would have been for the soldiers to live and fight in.”

Serving 10 years in the 3rd Battalion, Corporal Spears understands the significance of the location and its history. 

“I have met Kapyong veterans over the years, which makes this experience more personal, and it’s such an honour to be able to come to Korea to represent them, the battalion and Australia on both Kapyong and Anzac Day,” he said.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I feel honoured and grateful.”