Band of HM Royal Marines Commando Training Centre
Director of Music: MajorJA Kelly BMus(Hons) FLCM LRSM RM
Bandmaster: WO1 Graham Holman LRSM CT ABRSM RM
Drum Major: Sgt Bug S BlairRM
It is now the Michaelmas term and it only takes the first drive back to work to make summer leave seem a lifetime ago! But in true traditional style here at CTCRM it was with aplomb that we came back to work to what has been a busy period once again. Prior to leave, at the end of term concert in the Falklands Hall, BdCSgt Gaz Halsey presented to the Commanding Officer a plaque that he had especially made, to represent FOF3 Band and their role in the Falklands War. A very poignant reminder, as this year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Falklands. After a much needed summer leave, it was straight into the RMA weekend with our annual concert in the gymnasium. This year was different for the simple reason that our new Director of Music, Maj John Kelly, was at the helm, and we welcome him here to Lympstone Band and hope he enjoys being with the premier marching band of the Royal Marines! The morning after the concert was the RMA Parade and if you don’t feel the urge to put your neck into the back your collar, shoulders back and a good arm swing then you really shouldn’t be here!
CSgt Gary Halsey presents the CO, Lt Col Marok RM, with the FOF3 Plaque
The string quartet was also hard at it, playing at 40 Commando and at Yeovilton for dinners and reunions and were also greatly appreciated by the relevant units. Then for most it was a week of Adventure Training with activities ranging from being part of Duds’s crew on the canal boats, cycling in Cornwall and water-skiing with Gaz and his jet ski in Exmouth. Those people who were out of date on sea survival however, were not able to participate in the plethora of outdoor adventures available, due to having to go to Pompey to complete the Sea Survival Course in order to be able to go on our up and coming two week deployment on RFA Argus.
That’s right readers! Sit down in shock, as I did, to learn that the Band from CTCRM was actually being allowed out the country. Immediately visions of the Caribbean, America or maybe even Italy were being talked about by the keen and eager. Palm trees appeared like pound signs in people’s eyes all for about forty seconds until the name of the exercise was unleashed like a death blow. Exercise Grey Heron was to be a two-week exercise off the Solent! Hoofing! “Don’t worry fellas” said the Drum Major. “We have a two night stay in France so there’ll be time for a cracking run ashore!” Well, we did have a two-night stay in Brest, which is like a French speaking Devonport but also we had an outstanding run ashore both nights. Daffy and Parky showed off their dancing skills in one establishment by treating the crowds to some tag team break dancing but suffered for it the next day when their bodies reminded them that they weren’t eighteen anymore! Steve Brinkworth organised a meal in a restaurant and bearing in mind he checked it out the night before at drunk o’clock, all in all it was a good night.
The exercise itself was good for the Band as not many had been onboard the Argus before and several members had not been onboard ship at all. It was important to get to grips with our medical role as quickly as possible, as casualties can’t get treated until we’ve brought them off the flight deck. Everyone switched on and although life onboard for some was a steep learning curve, the exercise went very smoothly from our perspective. It is a bit daunting approaching a helicopter with its rotors on, in order to take casualties from the helo to the forward lift, when you have never done it before. It is one of our roles to deploy on the PCRF in conflict or when required and the more people that have experience the better and so this was a valuable experience for all. Also, being onboard ship for any amount of time with a hundred or so nurses is just a treat anyway! On the last night onboard, we treated the ship’s company to a display of our musical skills. A Beat Retreat was the first item on the musical menu, which whetted the palate of the audience. Then some concert band under the baton of Maj Burcham was the main course with pieces such as Esprit de Corps written by Jaeger. BdCpl Daff played a fantastic solo on his saxophone in the form of Evening Breeze. The Corps of Drums combined with the concert band to play Gaelforce and their drum stick ripples wowed the audience as always. The Generation Game with the Corps of Drums normally gets the crowd in the mood for a good night and this was no exception. The dance band also performed with Musn Ellie “My husband’s a sergeant don’t you know!” Carter, on loan to us from Plymouth Band, as vocalist and her renditions of Perfect as well as Blame it on the Boogie, to name but a couple, had people rocking in the aisles.
Exercise Grey Heron
On return from RFA Argus we had a day to rehearse for a Seafarers UK concert in Royal Tunbridge Wells. BdSgt Rich Fenwick played the Anthem from Chess whilst Musn Boyes and BdCpl Parkinson played Rule Britannia and Schindler's List respectively and all three solos were well received. Long weekend came and went, allowing us to recharge the batteries. King’s Squads have been plenteous as is usual here at CTC along with small combinations. The string quartet has been busy at Shrivenham, Chivenor, Yeovil as well as Andover and the multitude of Units enjoying the Corps Birthday and Trafalgar celebrations that happen at this time of year. BdCpl Daff says the jazz quartet has been busy too, but you’d never know it! The wind quintet has reformed and been working in Chicksands, Cawsham and Cheltenham. They are hoping to move on to the D’s next term!
Not only is this time of year busy due to Trafalgar and Corps Birthday celebrations, but also it is Remembrance season and this year has seen us taking part in several Festivals of Remembrance. Bristol was to be our first one and was very well attended. The next day it was back on the motorway (what’s an overnighter?) to Gloucester where the Festival of Remembrance involved breakdancing (should have given Daffy and Parky a call for lessons!) and line dancing. Quite what this had to do with Remembrance escapes me, but at least the singer who led the community singing had the voice of an angel. Exeter was our third Festival of the week and was magnificently attended by many present and former Service men and women and was certainly the highlight of the week.
When the drafting officer accidentally knocks the drafting board over and puts the names back where they may have been, drafts usually are given out and this term has been no exception! The Band in Portsmouth has been recruiting back to the Matrix and has taken several members of this Band. Sgt Bug Si Boorah the Drum Major and his assistant Cpl Bug Albert Beech have both been commandeered and we wish them both well. Musn Karl Elwell and BdCpl Matt Weites also have moved to the dark side and we hope they enjoy their time in Portsmouth. BdCpl Dom O’Connor has gone to live the dream in Naples for a year (that’s what we thought when we heard!) and with his compadre out there we look forward to some great dits! BdCpl Steve Green has finally got married and moved to the Dartmouth Band only to then go to Portsmouth to do his M1’s. Good luck to him and we hope he is successful. BdSgt Martyn Hancock has taken his family and run for it, after 18 year's service, to join the Royal Australian Navy Band where we wish them all the very best in their new life and thank Martyn for all he has contributed during his time in the Band Service.
Adventure Training at CTCRM with Gary and his water babies
Where those have left, others fill and a warm welcome must first of all go to Cpl Bug Helen Annett with my sincerest apologies for not mentioning her in the last article. Hopefully she’ll stop dripping now! Joining her in the Buglers' grot are Bugs Stu Bartlett and Neil Lowe who we extend a warm welcome to. Drum Major Steve Blair has joined us from Plymouth Band and so has BdCpl Andy Thomson, and salutations to them. BdCpl Karl Long has passed on all the knowledge he can at the School of Music and has come to join us back in the real world. Also from the School, but this time straight from training are Musns Zara Davies, Sam Noon, Chris Dickinson, Matt Pym and Aileen Snell and we hope they enjoy life outside the Wing. Promotion is as always a talking point, but congratulations must deservedly go to newly promoted BdCSgt Rich Fenwick and BdSgt Jonny Morrish.
May you all have a very Merry Christmas and New Year and has anybody seen my White Ensign?
G. Dit
Last updated May 2008
