Composed: Major Pete Curtis Royal Marines

The town of Wootton Bassett have taken it upon themselves to demonstrate, with immense dignity, the gratitude the nation has for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. It was with this in mind that the Principal Director of Music Royal Marines commissioned Major Peter Curtis to write a new march on behalf of the Royal Marines to say thank you to the people of Wootton Bassett for everything they do. The march brings together references of tunes from the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Marines and the Royal British Legion. This was skillfully done by Major Curtis who has experienced many of these ceremonies during his time as the Corps Casualty Officer. There is a very poignant moment, in the concert version of the march, where he has recreated the C17 flying over the town before landing at RAF Lyneham and in the distance there can be heard the playing of Last Post. The march finishes in celebratory style to reflect the various family, friends and colleagues as they start to celebrate the lives of those who have been lost and remember their loved ones in much happier times.

This CD Single features the concert version of this march which was premiered at the South Coast Proms and was televised at the 2010 Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance.

ALL PROFIT FROM THIS RECORDING WILL BE DONATED TO:

Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund

(RMCTF)

As the overarching Royal Marines charity, the RMCTF has among the widest purposes of any service charity in that it looks after both serving and retired Royal Marines, and their dependants – this converts into some 125,000 potential beneficiaries.

It goes without saying that we seek to support our wounded and injured in any way we can. But we also seek to improve the quality of life of those who are facing multiple tours in high threat environments and are so very often forgotten. And we continue this support long after our people have severed their formal links to the Corps. Sadly, we also pay a death grant to the next of kin of any member of the corps who has died in service – at the time of writing, 123 since 2000, of whom 61 have died on operations.

The key driver for the current campaign is that, quite simply, demand is growing and Trustees need to ensure that we can meet our commitments in the longer term, particularly at a time when the first of our most seriously wounded personnel begin their transition back into civilian life.

By giving to the RMCTF, donors are empowering Trustees to use the money given wisely, to meet any of the purposes of the wider charity and, crucially, at the point of greatest need at the time.

CHVCD31