Band of HM Royal Marines Plymouth

Director of Music: Capt Richard Harvey MMus BMus(Hons) LRSM AMusTCL RM

Bandmaster: WO1 Graham Holamn BMus(Hons) LRSM CT ABRSM RM
Drum Major: Sgt Bug P Gordon RM

The summer term is a traditionally busy time for Plymouth Band and as the Band head off working all round the country, many of their JPA claims are beginning to resemble MPs' expenses reports. Obviously a few notable differences though, we maintain our own moats.

Two major engagements dominated the second half of Plymouth Bands Easter term. The first was a joint venture between the Plymouth Band and the Plymouth Philharmonic Choir and the second was a trip to Basra to perform ceremonial duties as British Troops withdraw from Iraq.

Alongside these important events the Band has continued with its perhaps slightly less glamorous regular engagement of a weekly airing on the parade ground of HMS Raleigh. The regular local concert Band engagements at the Globe and Roebuck Theatres have also been a focus of the Band.

The Globe and Roebuck Theatre concerts are Plymouth Band’s most local and regular engagements and are always well supported by the people of Plymouth. Not only do they raise substantial amounts of money for various charities, they give the Band a chance to do ‘sit down’ concerts, which, during periods when the majority of the work is marching engagements comes as a welcome distraction. Being less than a month after this year’s Mountbatten Festival of Music it was decided that for the people of Plymouth (for whom the Royal Albert Hall is a distant landmark) we would re-enact some of the finest moments from this year’s festival. The opening overture The Cowboys was quite a different challenge to perform in a small Band after the grandeur of the massed Bands but was well received. BdCpl Keachie stepped into BdCpl Upton’s shoes to perform MacArthur Park admirably and Musn Wilman performed Hess’s Fantasy for Violin, which I suspect won’t be the last time we hear him perform this great arrangement. A special mention must go to BdSgt Colin Hudson who performed You Raise Me Up quite magnificently. It is almost beyond living memory since a Plymouth Band concert did not include a solo by Colin and quite rightly so, they are always from memory and always brilliant.

The joint concert with Plymouth Philharmonic Choir was held on Sunday 8th March, although for several weeks prior to this the Band and choir spent many hours, often long into the evening, preparing for the performance. Both John Rutter’s Requiem and Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man, A Mass for Peace provided a challenge for both the orchestra and the choir. The performance of both was a credit not only to the orchestra and the choir but to the conductors; Christopher Fletcher and Major Andy Thornhill, for whom this was a final concert before a move to the RMSM. It is always good when a concert sells out days in advance and there is further demand for tickets, but this was even more pleasing as all the proceeds went towards Combat Stress, an ex-services mental welfare society which was felt to be a particularly worthy cause and for which a great deal of money was raised. Plymouth Band’s ties with the Plymouth Philharmonic Choir are now long established and after another successful joint venture it is hoped that a further collaboration could be arranged in the near future; it produces not only great sell-out concerts but is a testimony to the versatility of the musicians of the Royal Marines.

Jersey Boat Show

After the raging success of the Plymouth Band’s Jazz Quartet engagement at the London Boat Show (refer back to last terms issue of B.B.-mainly about fine dining and high living) the jazz group was on the move again; this time Jersey was the destination. BdCSgt Carter who likes to do everything in style, particularly hotels, simply could not face another long coach journey and ferry crossing so the quartet found themselves airborne, if only the 40 minute flight from Plymouth Airport. We only found out later that it was cheaper to fly than to sail.
The Jersey Boat Show was held over the three days of the bank holiday weekend and the quartet performed three sets of jazz a day, generally to remarkably enthusiastic audiences. Not only were there large audiences, often including Band members from other groups who performed at the show but each set was broadcast right across the event through speakers stretching the best part of a mile around St Peter Port - no pressure. The quartet consisted of two ‘old timers’ BdCSgt Gordon Carter and BdSgt Mark Searle and two slightly ‘greener’ faces, Musns Jase O’Brien and Dan Page. Also present was Drum Major Gavin Moxworthy who had voluntarily given up his time to drive the truck and complete a one man recce of every hostelry in Jersey.
The quartet was booked to perform as part of the Royal Navy’s recruitment presence at the Boat Show and it was encouraging to see the huge amount of interest in the Marines and Navy and there can be little doubt that the recruitment team’s efforts are not in vain.

Plymouth Band Horse Riding Adventure Training

On the 27th April seven members of Plymouth Band started their first day of what was to be a week of horse riding at Bickleigh stables. These were Musns Jonny King, Zara Davies, Iain Scullion, Charlotte Stus, Emily O’Brien, Kirsty Flew and Holly Allender, the majority having never ridden before.

On our arrival we were introduced to all of the horses and ponies that lived there, including a big cart horse called Henry who had a huge moustache! We were then each given our ’own’ horse or pony which we were to care for, for the week. Jonny was given Maisy; Zara was given Ceddy, a very friendly cob who liked Zara a lot especially when she was grooming him; Iain was given Moose; Charlotte had a little grey pony called Chance, he had a problem with hay fever so had to wear a net over his nose to try and stop him breathing in the pollen; Emily rode Buttons; Kirsty rode a tiny pony called Tilley; and Holly (me) rode Fallon.

After a quick demonstration we had to groom and tack up our own horses in preparation for our first lesson, where we were taught how to get on to our horses, how to walk, steer, and even trot, but most importantly how to stop them. After lunch we groomed and tacked up again ready to go out for the first hack. Each of us had a leader who was on foot who made sure we were ok. We left the stables and did a mixture of walking and trotting, after which we returned to the stables to untack and put the horses out into the fields for the night.
On the second day our routine was the same as the first day. However, Tuesday is hay delivery day so we helped move the hay from the lorry into the barn. Unfortunately, Jonny wasn’t aware that he had hay fever until afterwards when he couldn’t see properly and was covered in a rash. In our second lesson of the week we were learning more about trotting and steering by using jumping poles laid out on the ground. Out on the hack I went to do some cantering on Fallon, but due to Fallon’s race horse history anything faster than a walk meant gallop to her and she would not stop until she was tired out, leaving me unable to do anything but to make sure I stayed on.

On the Wednesday I had to ride a horse called Monty because Fallon pulled her shoes off. After mucking out the horses we went on a hack on Dartmoor and after lunch we had a lesson where we learnt to canter, the highlight of this being Zara’s Zorro-esque dismount. We finished off the day with some team games on horseback, highlighting not only our inability at horse riding but also our inability to perform simple tasks such as picking up cups.

Thursday started with a lesson in the morning followed by a hack in the afternoon which turned out to be a day to forget for one certain member of the group (Jonny) after his horse decided to drag him through a tree encouraging Chance to follow suit allowing Charlotte to get equally close to nature. Fortunately pride was the only thing that was seriously injured.

On our last day we went on a day long hack to a pub where we stopped for lunch and a frolic in the playground before heading back after one last canter across Dartmoor, with all of us loudly humming the theme to ‘cowboys’. We all had a good week, gained a new skill, and made some new friends.

And Finally

With a new Band soon to open in Collingwood and the Plymouth Band being downsized, we bid farewell to many fond faces. Far too many to mention them all, we wish them all every success in their new drafts, most notably WO1 Dean Waller who leaves us for the School of Music and SgtBug ‘Moxy’ Moxworthy who will join Collingwood as their very first Drum Major. A special mention must also go to Sgt Bug Andy Finn who, after many dedicated years of service on bugle and drum (and any other instrument he could get his hands on!), leaves the service and is on the lookout for a real job. We wish him and his family all the best for the future.
In place of our lost Bandmaster and Drum Major we welcome WO1 Graham Holman from CTCRM and Sgt Bug ‘Flash’ Gordon from BRNC, as well as our brave OP Herrick ranks back from Afghanistan who I’m sure are glad to be home no matter how good tanning conditions were. We also have some fresh, talented blood from the School of Music, Musns Andy Spain and Gwillum Davies will be bumping up the Sax and Trombone sections respectively and Buglers James Trowbridge and Lisa Pessoll join our elite Corps of Drums. Musn Nick West also returns to us from the School, no longer the dextrous euphonium player but now a keen lead trombonist. Last but not least, six members of the Band will be enduring the 5 week Junior and Senior Command Course on completion of Horse Guards. We wish BdCpls Tom Crane, Kev Harvey, Jules Cook and Dunc Newman, and Musns Jase O’ Brien and Andy Harvey all the best on their course and hope to see them back in one piece - Good Luck Lads!

Plymouth Corps of Drums

Things have certainly changed in the Plymouth Corps of Drum recently. On returning from Easter leave, an extensive change in the distribution of manpower across the whole Branch meant that just a handful of the old team were left.

At the end of last term we said farewell to Buglers Dave Birt and Gill Forde who have both moved to Lympstone and Bugler Perry Lawrence who has now joined Portsmouth Band. Also, moving slightly further a field, was Cpl Stu Warmington and Cpl Tim Needham who have both joined Scotland Band. Conveniently, Tim’s new cabin in Rosyth means his newborn child doesn’t have to share his nursery with Tim and his flight simulator. Slightly belated congratulations to Tim and his wife Rhia on the birth of their first child, Daniel. We have also lost Drum Major ‘Moxy’ Moxworthy and on completion of his SCC, Cpl ‘Jessie’ James to the newly formed Collingwood Band.

Whilst it is a shame to break up the enthusiastic, close-knit team we had before, the new team has an array of characters that should prove entertaining enough in the months ahead. Joining us from Lympstone are CSgt ‘Scouse’ Annett and Sgt Chas Brown, from Portsmouth is Bugler ‘Biff’ (long story) Trowbridge and from the school, Bugler Lisa Pessol. We also welcome back Cpl ‘Afghan Dan’ Johnson and Bugler Stew Vyse from their stint with CLR in Afghanistan. Last but by no means least, Drum Major ‘Flash’ Gordon joins us from Dartmouth where he’s been carrying out ‘essential administrative duties’ for the last year or so (whatever Drummie).

And so, it is with this new look Plymouth CoD we embarked on some fairly memorable gigs. Firstly, we carried out our true primary role in support of the Corps in Plymouth by leading several homecoming and medal parades around the city. The atmosphere at these events was quite special and it was an honour to accompany the real heroes through the city’s streets on these occasions.

A similarly enthusiastic and extensive audience was met in Dartmouth for two days of events to mark the disbandment of BRNC band. It seemed as if the whole town turned out to watch us Beat Retreat and exercise the Freedom of the town for the last time.

nd finally, just as we were beginning to miss all those that had left us at Easter, it was time to all meet in Portsmouth for Massed Bands rehearsals for Beating Retreat 2009. For a Bugler, it doesn’t get much better than this; three weeks of marching and cleaning gear, the opportunity to tread the hallowed gravel of Horse Guards Parade before one’s Sovereign and, of course, the chance to reacquaint oneself with the drinking establishments of Portsmouth!

Sticks Down, Stand at Ease

Whilst in Portsmouth, we were able to say a proper goodbye to our outgoing leader, Sgt. Andy ‘David Brent’ Finn. Andy joined up in 1985 and, throughout his 24 years service, served in all areas including onboard the Royal Yacht, in Scotland and in Portsmouth, where he has now settled with his family. We would like to think though, that his finest hour was as i/c Plymouth CoD where he has spent his last few years. Andy finally retired from the Band Service the day before our opening night on Horse Guards and all of us at Plymouth would like to wish him all the best for the future and reassure him that no-one will find out about him breaking down in tears during his leaving speech. Your secret’s safe with us Andy.

Another retirement from within our ranks this term is that of Bugle Major Kev Tullett who is to be the last ever Bugle Major to serve in the West Country.

For some years there has been an appointed Bugle Major at each of the two ‘Staff’ Bands at Portsmouth and Plymouth. With the forthcoming reorganization of the Band Service into five bands of equal size and capability, there will no longer be a requirement for this appointment to exist at Plymouth and, consequently, Kev’s shoes will not be filled on his retirement.

Kev joined the Band Service in Deal on the 5th of January 1981. He had learned his early skills as a drummer in the Sandown Boys' Brigade on the Isle of Wight and the natural progression was to join the best Military Band in the world. After his training Kev considered himself fortunate to work with the likes of Errol Flynn and Pete Law and drumming became his passion.

After short drafts to Deal Staff Band and the then FONAC Band in Yeovilton, Kev found himself at his spiritual home at FOP Band in HMS Raleigh where he would collectively serve more than 20 years. Contrary to popular belief, Kev has applied his skills in all the RM Bands, including Fleet Band and FOF3 Band on HMS Fearless.
Kev has travelled extensively with the Band Service and has been fortunate to visit some amazing places all over the World, including Ethiopia, Bermuda, Russia, the Far East, Australia, New Zealand, and the Mediterranean, to name but a few, and he also has his own parking billet in the Embassy car park in Washington, USA. Kev takes some wonderful memories from his travels but if he has to pick one it would be the sodden night on parade for the Hong Kong Handover Ceremony whilst on the Ocean Wave deployment in 1997.

Kev has made some great friends, has had a wonderfully fun career in the Band Service and is extremely proud to have finished his time as Bugle Major Plymouth. Kev lives in the Torpoint area with his wife Stephanie and daughter Sophie and will concentrate on his newly found passion of… golf!

It is fitting that this appointment was held, for the final time, by someone with such enthusiasm and dedication to the Corps and, in particular, the Buglers Branch.

Basra

by WO1 D Waller

Thursday 26 March

We departed from Brize Norton at 0900 for Iraq in a Boeing C17a Globemaster courtesy of the Royal Air Force. We had a short stopover in Turkey for an hour to change aircrew after which we continued onwards to Basra, touching down a little after 2000 local time. From there it was a short bus journey to Camp Charlie within the COBB and to our accommodation.

The band at the accommodation

Friday 27 March

At 0900 we were transported to Div HQ to meet the General Officer Commanding, MND(SE) Major General Andy Salmon and his staff and no sooner had we arrived than we were asked to play for the HQ’s mid-morning coffee break. We duly obliged with a selection of British and American favourites but sadly, by the time we had finished, the doughnuts we’d been promised had all gone! As a result of this impromptu performance we were approached by the staff from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). They asked if we would be able to play at their function the following evening with the added promise of free food and drink. The answer was of course yes. The remainder of the day consisted of several recces for the forthcoming engagements and that evening BdCSgt Gordon Carter and BdSgt Mark Searle provided background “Jazz” for General Salmon and his guests at the Div HQ soiree.

Saturday 28 March

The plan for Saturday had been to rehearse all of the week’s engagements; however, this was one of those days. There had been a significant change to the plan and instead of rehearsing we were required to attend lectures from 0930 until 1430. I shan’t bore you with the detail but it meant we were fully briefed and prepared for just about anything. That evening we arrived at the FCO at 1800 to play for their function to say farewell to General Salmon. We started our first “set” with a twenty-minute programme ranging from traditional marches to the post horn gallop played by BdCpl Gareth Keachie and BdCSgt Rich “Wolf” Tilley. We were then invited to eat and share a drink or two before performing the second half of our entertainment which culminated in a rousing encore of Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory! What else? General Salmon then showed us just how multi-talented he is by picking up Musn Charlotte Stuss’s clarinet and playing us a unique interpretation of Acker Bilk’s Stranger on the Shore. You had to be there!

Sunday 29 March

At 0530 we were taken, by 2 Merlin helicopters (with Apache escorts), to the Basra Operations Centre (formerly the Shatt al-Arab Hotel) next to the Shatt al Arab waterway in the north of the city. We rehearsed our marching display at 0830, had breakfast at 0930 and then had a few hours free to meet the local Iraqi Army. BdSgt Darren Pattison made a particularly strong bond with one young lad and his prized AK47. “Geordie” really is an international language! The ceremony, hosted by Major General Mohammed Huweidi, commander of Iraqi Security Forces in Basra province, consisted of a special feast for over 250 guests including many key figures from the Iraqi security forces and provincial government. Prior to the feast we provided a 20 minute marching display for General Mohammed and his guests and on completion I had great pleasure in presenting him with a Plymouth Band Plaque and a CD. I’ve no doubt he listens to it every night! Our Jazz Combo then played for the feast itself for the remainder of the afternoon. We returned to the COBB at 1700 and for our evening meal and an early night.

Sgt Pattison speaking the international language of... Geordie!

Monday 30 March

We had the morning free to catch up on a spot of personal admin, geocaching and PT for those with Junior and Senior Command Courses looming. During lunch we all got down on our belt buckles (stand fast the US Army) as the mortar attack siren sounded. I can’t repeat exactly what our American cousins said as they stepped over us on the way to the hotplate. Needless to say they would seem to have a different approach to mortars than we do. Thankfully it was a false alarm (perhaps our friends from across the pond already knew this?).
At midday we were taken to the main Airport terminal to conduct rehearsals for the Transfer of Authority Ceremony. We were tasked to provide a 13 minute display prior to the ceremony itself. We duly constructed a bespoke 12 minute and 47 second display only to be then asked “can you cut it down to about eight minutes?” Whatever the customer wants!

RM Band Plymouth in Basra

Part of the ceremony included music for the lowering of the COMUKAMPHIBFOR colours and the raising of the 10th Mountain Division Colours. For the latter we had been provided with music for the march Climb to Glory; however, one vital part was missing - the first cornet - the only part with the tune. As ever our resourceful and quick-thinking cornet players tried various busking techniques to fill the void - some more successful than others I might add! I was then approached by two 10th Mountain Division Officers who said “Sir, I don’t think that is the correct march you are playing”. I explained the situation to which the senior American Officer then ordered the Junior Officer to sing the tune to me. I am not sure if I should have got out my pencil and manuscript at this point but I certainly admired their spirit.

Tuesday 31 March

The Transfer of Authority Ceremony began at midday in front of the World’s press with a live feed to BBC Breakfast News. We started the ceremony with a marching display including two quick marches - Regimental Marches Medley and Gibraltar and the drum static Drum Coliseum. The Ceremony then continued with Thanksgiving, a reading from the Koran, National Anthems of Iraq, USA and UK, speeches, raising and lowering of the Colours, Blessing and finally a March Past in front of a combined sixty “Stars” including Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup. If you were wondering - the first cornet part to Climb to Glory arrived just in time for the gig!

The Transfer of Authority Ceremony

Wednesday 1 April

The COBB was now under US command and one of the most notable changes to happen was the food. As you might expect hot dogs, cheese burgers, fries and GatoradeTM were now the order of the day. We used this free day to pack our freight and make all necessary arrangements for our return the UK the following day. For providing music at the FCO the previous Saturday night, the staff invited us back to have dinner and drinks to say thank you. This was all the more welcome as none of us really wanted to eat at Burgers-R-Us that night anyway.

Thursday 2 April

We departed Basra at 2000 in a C130 for Kuwait and onward charter flight to Brize Norton landing at approximately 0900 local time.

The band flying home

During our six days in Basra we provided musical support and entertainment to an international audience from Iraq, USA and the UK including the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It was an honour and a truly memorable experience for us all.

Special mention must go to the following Ranks who, through their additional efforts, ensured the success of this trip: Cpl Bug Russ Piner for sourcing and supplying the entire Band’s dessert equipment . BdCpl Trev Naughton for arranging the Iraqi National Anthem. BdCpl Gareth Keachie for organising freight and day-to-day logistics in the COBB. BdCSgt Robbie Steel for the administration before and during our trip.

Finally I would like to thank all members of the Band for their professionalism which enabled this trip to be both enjoyable and very successful.

Last updated January 2010