Au revoir Band Sergeants Martin & David Sharp

David Sharp	Martin Sharp

35 years' Service…
Twice as Sharp!

David and Martin at 5 months old (or is that Martin and David?)

The story starts on 27 January 1956 at the Military Hospital, Kitchener Barracks in Chatham, Kent. David was born a healthy 5lb 4oz, but during the celebrations Mother Connie said she was starting to feel the same pains as she had felt with David. The Army Doctor using his stethoscope (no scanners in those days) confirmed that there was yet another baby to be born, and so, one and a half hours later, Martin, 5lb 10oz came into this world.

Over the next nine years, as the family moved from various Army establishments, the twins were joined by brothers Michael and Joseph. After serving for 24 years in the Royal Engineers, their father retired from the Army to Wakefield in Yorkshire with his family.

The twins aged 7

At the age of 11 Martin and his best friend were asked during a Religious Education lesson if they would like to audition on the cello; thinking this was a macho brass instrument they agreed to have a go. On seeing the instrument the friend declined but Martin agreed to give it a try. After six months Martin persuaded David to take up an instrument and of course the only instrument available was the clarinet.

Nearing the end of their schooling they realised that maybe a career in music was a good option and, having been partially brainwashed to join the Armed Forces having spent most of their childhood living in Army Camps, asked their father if they could join the Army as musicians. To their surprise he said no, “If you are going to join a service band, it will have be the Royal Marines”. While serving at Old Park Barracks in Dover, their father was invited to watch a dress rehearsal by the massed bands at Deal and was so impressed that this stayed with him until the day his two sons said that music as a career was for them.

So on the 27th April 1971 they both boarded the train in Wakefield to join the Royal Marines Band Service.
In January 1974, on completion of their training at the Royal Marines School of Music in Deal David and Martin were finally parted.

The Sharp twins (front rank at either end) in basic training

Martin briefly joined Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland Band before moving to Commander-in Chief Fleet Band in Chatham later that year. This followed with a draft to join David on board HMS Ark Royal in May 1977. After two years at sea, Martin then went to the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in February 1979 for what was to be the first of four drafts to this location.

Next was a draft to the Staff Band at Deal, before being appointed as the VBI on board HMS Fife in 1986. This was followed by a second tour at CTCRM, during which time he was presented with the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, before joining the Band in Plymouth in 1993 where he was promoted to Colour Sergeant. Martin’s third stint to CTCRM followed in 1994 before being appointed as the Euphonium and Cello Instructor at the RMSM in 1999.The final draft came in 2001 back to, where else but CTCRM. In 2003, Martin received the honour of being presented with the clasp to his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and in 2004 the prestigious Commander-in Chief Fleet Commendation.

David joined the Staff Band in Deal for a short period before being drafted to the Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland Band where he just missed serving with Martin before his draft to CinC Fleet. In January 1976 came a move to the Commando Forces Band at Stonehouse Barracks before being drafted six months later to HMS Ark Royal. In 1978 followed a five year spell in Yeovil serving in the Flag Officer Naval Air Command Band at RNAS Yeovilton. A second draft with Martin came next at CTCRM. It was during this draft that David was also presented with the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. In May 1989 came the first of what was to be three Volunteer Band appointments, the first on board HMS Ark Royal (the modern one); however, just eight months later he moved with his family to the Volunteer Band in Gibraltar for two and a half years. It was during this draft David was promoted to Colour Sergeant. After yet another short spell back at CTCRM David’s third and final VBI draft came in September 1997 to HMS Drake. For his efforts and effect on the capacity of this Band David was awarded the MBE by Her Majesty the Queen in July 2000. Two more years followed at CTCRM before the final draft to the Britannia Royal Naval College. While serving at BRNC, David was sent to serve throughout the war in Iraq on board the hospital ship RFA Argus.

Both David and Martin have represented the Royal Marines at Golf since the early seventies, winning numerous Inter-Command Championships and between them have won the Royal Marines Golf Championships eight times. They have also played for the Royal Navy and on two occasions Martin played a large part in helping the Royal Navy win the Inter Services Championships.

In their earlier years they played football for CTCRM winning the Navy Cup three times and going on to represent for the Corps.

Martin also represented the Royal Marines at squash winning several Inter-Command titles and also played for the Royal Navy Senior and Veterans teams in Inter-Services Championships.

In recognition of their sporting achievements throughout their careers, the corps RSM presented David and Martin with cut glass trophies from the Royal Marines Sports Association at their recent Top Table.

David and Martin both live in Exmouth, David with his wife Helen and two sons, Ryan and Danny and Martin with his wife Judith.