RN Volunteer Band HMS Illustrious

BdCSgt R Hunt BMus(Hons) LRSM AMusTCL ABRSM CTABRSM RM

As most readers will be aware, the absence of an article about musical activities on board HMS Illustrious has been due to its current refit. Since February of this year, Lusty has been sat in Rosyth Dockyard in Fife, Scotland, being stripped and refitted by a whole host of contractors. Although the outcome of the SDSR means the ship’s future is not entirely clear, the plan still remains for it to start ‘crewing up’ in January of 2011 with a view to sailing shortly after Easter. Some time during this window a new Volunteer Band Instructor will join the Ship’s company and will help to see it through its post refit sea trials.

In the meantime, and in order to gain closure on my two year draft on board, I will sign off by wishing my successor all the best for their assignment. It has the potential to be one of the most eye-opening, character building and, without wishing to sound over-dramatic, life-changing drafts available to an RM Band Service member.

Away from fellow ‘Bandies’, a sea-going VBI has the opportunity to single-handedly musically enthuse up to 800 shipmates. There may only be a handful of people in the Band at times, but up to a 100 people attend the weekly church service on the quarterdeck. Plus, if you organise a ‘Wii’ style karaoke social, the whole Ship’s company will get involved and music will reign supreme!

Last updated April 2011

BdCSgt J Moss BMus(Hons) RM

Ahoy! From HMS Ark Royal.

Date: Tuesday 19th October 2010.
Location: Breakfast table at home.
Scene: Enjoying a full English listening to Radio 4 (it’s the new radio 2!).
"…blah, blah, blah… blah, blah, blah… blah, and the government is to announce later today during the defence review that HMS Ark Royal is to be scrapped with immediate effect…”

Well to say that I nearly coughed up my entire breakfast and felt my heart stop would be an understatement!
Yes it was true as I am sure many of you out there have heard. HMS Ark Royal, the Royal Navy’s Fleet Flag Ship and one of the most famous names in maritime history, although many of you will be able to name many more… Titanic, HMS Hood, Kon- Tiki, Bismarck, Gosport and Torpoint ferrys etc… I digress, has been axed in the Strategic Defence and Security Review. This came as a complete shock, not only for me but all of the Ship’s company. A very sad day for the Royal Navy.

However in true RN/RM style and following the Ship’s motto ‘DESIR NA REPOS’… ’ZEAL DOES NOT REST’ we all picked ourselves up, stood tall, proud to be members of HMS Ark Royal, and carried on with the business of defending the Nation… albeit from Portsmouth harbour!

So what now? Well by the time you read this (sounds like a song title) we will be on our final deployment. A quick burst up to Glen Mallen to offload some bullets and bombs, then over the top and down to Newcastle, where the ship was built, for a visit and no doubt a great cocktail party and run ashore (remind me to take my thermal vest!) and then over the sea to Hamburg! Hamburg! Now I have never been to Hamburg but I know some people who have, as no doubt some of you more old and bold ex salty sea dogs do or may have even been there yourselves, and given that I have been told it’s a bit like Amsterdam… but better! Someone mentioned the ‘Reeperbahn’ I think they called it? Then finally home to Portsmouth at the beginning of December for the last time. So a final trip around the UK… one to remember I hope.

As this is the last time HMS Ark Royal Volunteer Band will have an article in Blue Band I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has ever been part of the Band. I also want to personally thank everyone who is and was part of the Band during my two and a half years onboard. I can’t name everybody, as I am old and my memory recall is shot, but to the current members: Cdr Rob Bellfield ( XO HMS Ark Royal) Principal Euphonium, Lt Cdr Lindsey Falla (Dento) Flute, Lt Marie Steel (HMOPS) Clarinet, RPO Jeanette Willcox (Top cop) Clarinet, PO Nicky Wilson (Jack dusty) Flute, PO Ollie Simms Cello. A great little Band with bags of enthusiasm that shows the true ethos of what a RN Volunteer Band is all about… having fun and making music. Thanks everybody for making my job fun and for your support during my time onboard.

BdCSgt-VBI-Postie-Bugler Jon Moss during the Royal Visit to Portsmouth

Well what now? Who knows what the future holds for HMS Ark Royal? Hopefully she will be given the respect she deserves and not turned into razor blades… unfortunately that’s not my call. She is a great ship and I am proud to serve on her. I have met and had the chance to work with some fantastic, professional and funny people, made great friends and been to amazing places. Most importantly the ship took me to Liverpool where I met my fiancée Frances. The future for me… I cross deck and join HMS Illustrious in January in Scotland to start again… ”once more round the Forth Rail Bridge Skipper?”

HMS Ark Royal… Built By British Craftsmen… Crewed By British Heroes!

Jon Moss
RM Det CSGT/VBI/Postie/PDM Embarked Forces
HMS Ark Royal, BFPO 212

Last updated 13 April 2011