Band of HM Royal Marines Commando Training Centre
Director of Music: Captain R Harvey MMus BMus(Hons) LRSM AMusTCL RM
Bandmaster: WO2 AP Lomas AMusTCL LRSMRM
Drum Major: CSgtBug G Scollick RM
Welcome to the latest update from the CTC Band here at Lympstone. As you read this, everyone is getting back into the swing of bandy life after returning from a very successful deployment to Afghanistan. The last members to return arrived back in the UK on the 11th October, after handing over to Op Herrick 15, and then decompressing in Cyprus.
Towards the end of the tour, there was an excited air about CSMR as speculation of when our replacements, 1 Medical Regiment, were due to arrive. As the new crews set about their own RSOI packages, we started preparing to hand over the reins in time for the official hand over date. This was marked by a flag changing ceremony outside the hospital, after which the Band set about concentrating on the up and coming concert. The concert was a huge success, and was appreciated by all who attended. The first half consisted of traditional concert band favourites, and was followed up by a ‘Bandeoke’ set in the second half. The Rock Band produced a set-list and passed it around the audience and encouraged, enticed and bullied the medics up to sing a song. Needless to say, this went down a storm and was a fantastic way for us to say farewell to Brydon Lines and Close Support Medical Group. It was then down to the flight line, after only a little amount of hanging around, to get on our plane to Cyprus and decompression.
Decompression is a requirement for all personnel leaving theatre, and is period of 24 to 36 hours in which to relax and prepare for returning to the UK. After landing at RAF Akrotiri, we were herded to the shower block to get rid of the Afghan dust, and to change into beach clothes. Breakfast was our next stop, after which we were loaded onto coaches and taken down to the beach for a few hours. The facilities at the beach were fantastic and included kayaks, sailing boats, inflatable assault courses in the sea and areas in which we could just kick back and relax. After a few hours, it was back on the buses to be taken back to Bloodhound camp to prepare for the evening’s festivities. The evening’s entertainment was opened up by a fantastic Canadian comedian, which was followed up by a duo on Bass and Acoustic guitars, all enjoyed whilst supping our ration of four beers! It may not sound like many, but after several months of detox, each can was savoured! After a good night’s sleep in the very latest pre-slam bunk-bed accommodation, we were woken up just in time to get to Akrotiri airport to wait for our delayed flight back to RAF Brize Norton. Delays aside, it was a fantastic feeling as we emerged from the arrivals terminal and met our families again before proceeding homewards for a spot of well earned leave.
After two and half weeks Post Operational Tour Leave, we returned to shake the dust from our tunics and parade boots and got stuck into rehearsals for our medal parade. The day was a great success and a fantastic way to end the deployment both for us and our families. The Beat Retreat helped blow away the cobwebs, and gave Musician Chester the opportunity to regain some credibility after his earlier clock impression (tick, tock, tick, tock…) then in true bandy fashion, it was off to the pub to celebrate becoming a formed Band once again.
RM Band CTCRM during 42 Commando's Homecoming Parade in Plymouth
Photograph: LA(Phot) Dave Hillhouse © Crown
Upon reflection, the deployment from the Band’s point of view was a great success, as every member carried out their role with great versatility, professionalism and, at times, compassion. The Ambulance Response Team has been awarded the Military Ambulance Award and Band Sergeant Weites, Bugler Birt and Musician Lambert will attend the House of Lords to receive the award on behalf of all of the ART. The Royal Naval Medical Services now have a new official quick march thanks to the creative mind of our very own Musician Tom Chester (yes, the one who tick-tocked) who penned ‘To Treat and Protect’ whilst out on deployment. It is a very catchy march, and you can be sure to be playing and/or hearing it in the very near future! We are all looking forward to getting stuck into what we know and love again as our gig diary continues to fill up, as we get straight back into everyday life as a Bandy. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported us over the last 6 months in the way of parcels, letters and being on the end of the phone. It makes all the difference and it is what I believe makes us unique as a unit.
Minty
Last updated 03 April 2012
