Age: 81

Regiment/length of service: General Service Corps for 3 years, Royal Engineers for 12 years.

Medals: 1939/45 War, GSM (Canal Zone)

In-Pensioner since: 2002

Solos: Danny Boy

Born: Pontypridd, South Wales

David has been singing since he was four and joined the army at 14. Too young to go to war, he began making gun sights before undertaking a diploma as a fitter at the Army Technical School and then joining the Royal Engineers. As a WO2 he spent three years as a lecturer at the Royal School of Military Engineering but when national service came to an end he headed for Civvy Street. "I'm doing Danny Boy solo. I take a part in all the rest," he says. "There's so much talent hidden amongst these men and it'll do a world of good to them and the hospital."