Au revoir WO1 Bob Platts

The Corps Bugle Major

Musn RD Platts on his second day in the Royal Marines

After 28 years in the Royal Marines Band Service, WO1 Bob Platts is retiring from his position as Corps Bugle Major to take up ‘greener’ challenges in the civilian world. After this lengthy time in the Corps, Bob still remembers the day when his dad asked him if he would like to play in a brass band and from that initial introduction, he has never looked back. He soon became engrossed in the world of Brass Bands and was eventually taken on by the late George Thompson, conductor of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band who, coincidentally, opened the door for him to play with the Brighouse and Rastrick Band at one of their rehearsals. These early years saw his passion for music grow and he decided to take up a musical career and audition for the Royal Marines Band Service in February 1979. Later that year, along with Paul Weston, ‘Howie’ Staines, Joe Sharp, Gary Halsey, Brian Lloyd, Rich Hardy and Mark Searle, he joined the Royal Marines School of Music at Deal as a cornet and piano player. However, after the first year it became evident that his piano skills would not see him becoming a concert pianist, so he stopped tickling the ivories and transferred to the Buglers Branch and has never looked back since.

September 1981 saw his first draft to Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland where he spent a fabulous five years, in particular the first year, under Lt Ron Kempton. A true gentleman! There was always a chance to pursue outdoor activities in Scotland and Bob, along with Andy Bridges, invariably frequented the ski slopes at Glenshee or Aviemore. Prior to the weekends that didn’t involve a gig during the winter months (there were a few), they eagerly listened to the latest snow forecast and had their skis all waxed and packed ready to go; it was a time when 4x4 cars were a mere dream and would have undoubtedly been a useful mode of transport. Instead, they had to rely on a Datsun – umm, enough said! The Corps of Drums had various leaders over this time but it was Norman Gibbs, and his superb leadership and people skills that inspired Bob. After Norman picked up his crown and was appointed Bugle Major Portsmouth, Bob soon followed him and joined the Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command Band in January 1986.

Bob joins in with the Big Band on the Royal Yacht 1988

On joining Portsmouth, Bob was able to work alongside the talented and legendary Alan Piner BEM; and to this day Bob still holds Alan in the highest regard and without question believes Alan’s achievements are unsurpassable. In 1988 he was selected to join HMY Britannia, where he spent six years supporting members of the Royal Family on overseas commitments. Deployments included a six-month circumnavigation in 1988 for the Australian Bi-Centenial celebrations and other trips included: Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo, South America, USA, West Africa and Scandinavia. Performing to various heads of state and world leaders brought total job satisfaction and sailing the high seas certainly appealed to Bob.In 1989 the Junior Command Course beckoned and promotion to  Corporal followed. It was a course that witnessed numerous individuals not quite making the mark and Bob was just pleased to have passed relatively unscathed. In 1990 he went back to the Royal Marines School of Music for his B1 Musical Course, where he attained a Distinguished Pass, and a further two years elapsed before Lympstone came calling again – this time the Senior Command Course. Neither of the Command Courses filled Bob with great delight, although many laughs were had; he was just glad to have passed and be able to drive out of Lympstone once and for all – so he thought. On promotion to Sergeant Bugler in 1993 he went to RM Deal as Chief Instructor Buglers' Training. Although he was only there for a short period of time, he got involved and enjoyed all aspects of Sergeants’ Mess life and really benefited from serving under some superb RSMs; sadly not many Band Service SNCOs now experience this encounter. A year later he moved back to the Portsmouth Band, as Buglers’ Training was not taking on any more recruits for the next four years - post redundancies. His return saw him back on the Yacht, albeit briefly, and in 1997 he was promoted to Colour Sergeant Bugler and appointed Bugle Major Training at the RMSoM, which had now moved to HMS Nelson in Portsmouth.

HMY Britannia Band Far East deployment 1989

This next period up to 2003 proved to be a most challenging but rewarding time. Bob redesigned and implemented a new internal training programme for Buglers' training and closely worked with National and International Examination Boards with the aim to secure external recognition. Bob believes that none of this could have happened without the dedication and hard work of those who worked with him during those years: Paul Cameron (percussion professor), AJ Piner, ‘Beanie’ Boulton and later ‘Pastie’ Cornish, and Bob is indebted to them all.

A day out in Kota Kinabalu with Lee Cullen and Andy Terry

In 1998 there was one last request from Lympstone - this time for the Advance Command Course. In 2001 he was promoted Warrant Officer 2nd Class, which brought other responsibilities such as Training Design Officer and Financial Manager for the School. Bob would prefer not to divulge his marks for his maths O Level; suffice to say, he spent many hours trying to understand the financial vocabulary frequently used and many more spent pressing keys on a calculator. A good supply of batteries was always at hand. In 2003 he successfully passed an Interview Board and was selected to assume the rank of Warrant Officer 1st Class and the positions of both Corps Bugle Major and Branch Advisor for the Buglers' Branch. During this tenure, he enjoyed being at the helm of branch policy and representing the Corps of Drums on various matters; however, putting together various drum displays for Edinburgh Tattoo 2005, Beating Retreat 2006 on Horse Guards and the annual MFM concerts were the most enjoyable, but sadly these opportunities were few and far between. The last MFM was particularly fulfilling, seeing the Corps of Drums take centre stage for their performance of D’ysebahn (The Train); a project that he had been researching and rolling-out for nearly two years.

During his resettlement period Bob really did take some ‘gardening leave’ and worked in the gardens at Great Dixter in East Sussex under the inspirational figure of their head gardener, Fergus Garett. He certainly found this short period both fulfilling and extremely rewarding and would like to thank all the staff at Dixter for a most enjoyable time and for their genuine friendship.

Bob is now setting up Suburban Oasis, his own gardening business, and thoroughly looking forward to joining the long queue of the self employed and, in particular, being his own boss. His time in the Royal Marines Band Service has been extremely rewarding and he would not change anything over the past 28 years - maybe drink a little less! The lifelong friends he has made and the opportunities that have arisen have been truly humbling and, above all else, fantastic to experience. He has now handed over to his successor and wishes ‘Wiggy’ Whitwham, WO1 Corps Drum Major and Spec Advisor, WO2 Lee Cullen, the Corps Bugle Major and all members continued success and future happiness. 

Best wishes,
Bob

Please Visit Bob's website here and see what he is doing now!