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Photographs by Fleet Photographers and Mr L Scriver
All Images © Crown
It would be impossible to name all of the people involved in the various tasks required to stage such a magnificent and successful display as this year’s Beating Retreat for the Captain General. With apologies for those omissions, the following is an attempt to explain a little about the background and behind the scenes work that went on in order to produce BR06.
Once confirmation of Beating Retreat was announced a number of cogs started to turn from both within and outside of the Band Service. Mechanically speaking, some WD40 would normally have been applied, as this particular machinery had not been engaged for over seven years. Obviously, the Band Service ranks involved in putting the whole event together had all performed as a musician or bugler at Beating Retreats on Horse Guards Parade before, but not one of them would have any experience of their prospective new role. Although normal day work would take a back seat, there would always be certain tasks requiring immediate attention that would have to be undertaken alongside the running of BR06. At the same time, the organisers from the Corps side of the operation would have little or no experience of managing such an event, especially as the new Corps Secretary only took over his post just a few weeks before the event. Fortunately everyone involved exuded confidence.
It is the responsibility of SO3 Band to clear the Band Service diary of marching gigs for 3 weeks and of all other engagements for 2 weeks to accommodate all rehearsals, the engagement and the return to home units. This took place at the annual Band Service engagements conference in November 2005. However, any bids received before the conference for bands during the BR06 period would have been immediately informed that no bands would be available. SO3’s small department had to field many upset bidders as the realisation dawned that for a full three week period there would be no bands available to play ships in or to accompany divisions and no buglers available for funerals.
Warrant Officer Reg Sheen was the Band Service representative within the BR Office which was conveniently the same office as his MFM office but with a different name. It was located within the Corps Secretariat in HMS Excellent and where the project officer, when appointed, would be based. To lead this major event without the aid of a script or the benefit of a handover, the Corps selected Col Paul Jobbins who was ably supported by Majors Geoff Moulton and Mark Woosey, all from RMR Bristol. The Corps Secretary was responsible for organising a Royal reception in the Foreign Office, liaising with Buckingham Palace to ensure that the Captain General would be able to attend and to accommodate other members of the Royal Family should they wish to view the display. All ranks within the Secretariat were involved including Musician Dan Westgate who was drafted in at short notice due to the untimely discharge of Marine Roy Adamson. Their vast responsibilities included security, publicity, producing all vehicle, personnel and priority passes, booking Horse Guards Parade, royal cars for rehearsals, meals and parking at Wellington Barracks, running the accounts, production of programmes, ensuring the correct flags and standards were flown, the organising of the saluting dais and conductor’s rostrum and liaising with Buckingham Palace, the Commandant General, the Army, the police and the RMBS. An administrative order to cover all of these details then had to be produced.
BR06 had the capability to provide the Corps with one of its best opportunities for public relations and media teams from the Corps and Fleet were quickly involved in setting up as many media options as possible. BdCSgt Ian Davies arranged for local television to film rehearsals and interview former members of the Band Service; as a direct response from public reaction to Royal Marines Bands’ performances at Trafalgar events in 2005, the BBC agreed to broadcast the parade. The team from BBC Events that were due to produce the broadcast had fortunately worked with the RMBS on numerous occasions in the past. They annually produce the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall and the Cenotaph commemorations every November and were involved in Trafalgar celebrations with RM Bands last year. Appreciative of our high standards and desire to be portrayed in the correct manner, they very obligingly attended many meetings in order to produce a programme that would be to our satisfaction and a successful broadcast for the BBC.
140 Royal Navy and Royal Marines ranks were recruited to provide a support party, along with16 newly trained Royal Marines and their DL for parade markers. Under the command of Sgt Beverley the markers produced an immaculate display complementing that of the Massed Bands. Capt King, the Corps treasurer, won the task of Event Security Officer. He was based with the senior Metropolitan Police Officer in an ops room at Horse Guards crammed with CCTV monitors and radios on a variety of networks affording communication and control of a major part of London, complete with a gigantic plasma screen to ensure not one World Cup goal or incident would be missed.
In order to hold two social functions that would cater for all Officers, NCOs and trained ranks of the Band Service, bids to Corps Funds had to be placed by December 2005 with the relevant venues provisionally booked around rehearsal timings. It was a rare occasion to have all five RM Bands in one place simultaneously so the timing was very appropriate. Without detracting from the hard work of all those responsible for the planning and organising, the success of both functions was due to the huge support of the Band Service. As a slightly balding Corps Bandmaster said, “it’s good to let your hair down now and again.”
Portsmouth was not the only place to hold social functions during BR06. In London, the Corps hosted two receptions, in the Sgts’ Mess at Wellington Barracks and at Durbar Court in the Foreign Office. Together with the extra tasks demanded by Beating Retreat, the Corps RSM and Corps Secretary had the additional pleasure of organising and hosting these major events.
It was decided that Ticketmaster should be employed to sell and distribute all tickets for the event with profits going to Naval charities. The attendance figures averaged 96% for both nights with Thursday’s performance being 100% sold out.
Horse Guards parade needed to be booked, along with applications to close certain roads for the three display evenings and rehearsals. There were several meetings in London attended by representatives from the Army, in particular Horse Guards personnel, the Metropolitan Police, the Royal Parks, Buckingham Palace, the Corps, media and the Band Service. The Army’s vast experience of parades on Horse Guards proved very helpful and the Garrison Sergeant Major was particularly kind.
Having cleared our diaries and checking that there were enough fit people to perform, it was time for the first musical preparation – select the music. Using past Horse Guards Beating Retreat programmes as a template, music new and old was selected. It was decided to try and put together a programme composed or arranged entirely by Band Service ranks. The Corps Bugle Major immediately organised a bugle fanfare competition ultimately won by Bugler Sumner with ‘Monforterbeek’ that would be performed at the opening of the display. Captain Mick Dowrick and Musician Sol Fenne were asked to adapt their very successful and popular works for past MFM concerts, Gladiator and Eastney, for the marching band.
Having chosen the programme, the Central Music Library had to reproduce the march-cards for 160 musicians after acquiring the correct copyright permission and licences. Although Verity Steele had organised much of these issues before her untimely departure in April, Mick Cole had the unenviable task of laminating nearly 4000 march-cards. In order to have the task completed in time he even recruited his wife Theresa, who obviously loves him very much, to assist.
Fairly educated guesswork gave the Corps Drum Major a good idea of the display timings and with the assistance of the Corps Bugle Major a plot began to take shape that would evolve into a sparkling display. Again, former Beating Retreat displays were used as a basic template but this year there was to be more emphasis on movement so that not so much music would be played in a static position. With the aid of some recorded music, a set of march-cards and measurements taken during several visits to Horse Guards Parade, Mr Whitwham began to build movement to fit the music in order to produce the display complete with all timings including the march from Wellington Barracks to the parade. Meanwhile, Mr Platts spent many hours producing all aspects of the Corps of Drums’ involvement in the display including the drum static and especially the complex and very effective movements and stick-work that accompanied the Band’s rendition of ‘Gladiator’. All of the combined workings were recorded in a large dossier, produced by Musician Westlake. Copies were made for use during rehearsals and proved invaluable to the BBC in the planning of their broadcast. The essential work carried out by the Project team has also been archived so that future teams will at least have an idea of what can be expected and achieved and how to overcome problems that may arise.
In order to produce a CD of the BR06 music to sell at the event, the largest possible band had to be sourced to make a recording. With Command courses, foreign trips and leave to work around, the Band Service was not overflowing with available musicians and buglers. However, a composite band comprising mostly of Plymouth ranks with some limited support from Portsmouth, Dartmouth and CTCRM bands was able to undertake the recording under the direction of Captain Dowrick. Fortunately, the Plymouth Band Secretary managed to find accommodation for the ranks that had to travel to Plymouth and the Band librarian and his team were able to produce the music for a band that changed composition just about every day leading up to the event. It was recorded by Doyen Recordings and this gave Cpl Deacon the opportunity to work with a different recording company. Meanwhile back in Portsmouth Sgt Snell was busy working on the artwork for the CD. The cover photograph was the same picture that was to be used for all PR work and publicity posters and featured the five Drum Majors resplendent against a dark background. You won’t believe how long it took to get that photograph just right!
Having finally recorded, produced and taken delivery of the CD in time to sell at the event, it was necessary to obtain the correct street-trading licence. This proved to be a most arduous task, the ordeal taking over two months of negotiations. Col Jobbins eventually spent a day queuing up at the issuing offices in Victoria to achieve the essential paperwork.
Even with all RMBS ranks available, there would only be a small margin for spare capacity and by the time terminal leave, maternity leave, non – marching and other medical conditions were taken into effect certain instrumental categories had no spares at all. The solitary spare euphonium player was also the only cover for trombone and tenor Fanfare Trumpet. Sgt Andy Travis, who did a splendid job providing refreshments and suntan protection all week as the TQ, was also the only spare bugler. The shortage in the saxophone section resulted in several flute players having to bring their tenor sax as well as their piccolo to the party. Much the same as MFM, security ranks, drivers, CD sellers and other ancillary positions needed to be filled by musicians from the bands and again, like MFM, most people prefer to perform. Every engagement requires ‘behind the scenes’ work and while some of these tasks may appear thankless, they are all crucial to the overall performance. A 200 piece marching band with conductors, fanfare team, Drum Majors, Bandmasters and markers amounted to 238 personnel appearing on parade. However, this number was easily eclipsed by the amount of military personnel involved behind the scenes, even before taking into consideration any civilian support or the large amount of police officers on duty.
The first musicians to be tasked were the members of the Fanfare Team. This was to enable Divisional tunics to be sourced and fitted and although this was achieved, some appeared to fit better than others.
Obviously food, accommodation and transport had been booked well in advance but as in all events where accommodation is tight, there were some very last minute adjustments to try and keep the Band Service in one area. Other last minute changes had the Portsmouth Band Secretary hastily rearrange the transport plot to return the bands home after the final display. Thankfully the coach company were able to cope, but CSgt Hodges must have used up a few favours.
HMS Nelson has no facilities to rehearse Massed Bands either indoors or outside. Portsmouth Guildhall has been used for MFM rehearsals and fulfilled the same requirement for a musical rehearsal the day before marching rehearsals began. After allocating specific seats, issuing the music and a lengthy brief from the Corps Bandmaster, the PDM commenced the musical rehearsal with Major Watson completing his rehearsal later in the afternoon. The cricket pitch at HMS Excellent was booked for marching rehearsals with helpful markings laid down by the ground staff. This would also be the venue for the dress rehearsal and it was decided to open this rehearsal to MOD and Service ID cardholders and their families. With next to no manpower available, the 1st Lieutenant and Executive Warrant Officer had to manage crowd control, access, parking, VIP seating, roping off the arena, health and safety and security between them, and with no real idea of how many people would be attending. In the event nearly 2000 people surrounded the arena and all were rewarded with a magnificent display. As the Commandant General was out of the country, the 2nd Sea Lord was asked and agreed to take the salute.
The Corps of Drums had spent a week rehearsing at HMS Excellent but as they were accommodated in HMS Nelson, transport was required daily to travel between both units. The Massed Bands would require eight coaches for rehearsals on Whale Island and these were booked well in advance. Unfortunately, FSL admitted at the last minute that they could only provide four and on the first rehearsal day, three of these were unable to negotiate a corner outside the Portsmouth Bandroom. With no coaches moving and 200 musicians and buglers patiently waiting, the drivers decided to sort things out themselves while the duty Corporal was restrained from sorting out the drivers.
When rehearsals finally got underway it was soon realised that due to the hard work already put in by the Corps of Drums and the fantastic weather forecast, the week was not going to be that difficult. The buglers could also relax a little as, after a week spent rehearsing to the brighter tempo of the recording, they were finally able to march at the band’s steadier pace.
The end result of everyone’s efforts was an extremely well organised, successful public event in central London with a capacity live audience and a BBC broadcast that attracted a good percentage of the viewing figures and generated an overwhelming positive response from the public.
One of the many joys of working in HQBSRM is the opportunity to view the immediate response to major events such as MFM and BR. The letters received concerning Beating Retreat have, without exception, been full of praise and most, by people who have attended many such events, remarked that it was the best they had ever witnessed and specifically commended the Corps of Drums.
In what was an impeccable and thoroughly professional performance that displayed the continual advancement of the Royal Marines Band Service, it was undoubtedly the best Beating Retreat so far.
MARCH DOWN TO HORSE GUARDS
Quick March Washington Grays Grafulla
Drum Solos McAlpine Piner (Snr)
Quick March On the Quarter Deck Alford
PRELIMINARIES
Bugle Fanfare Monforterbeek Sumner
Drum Salute The Drummers Call Trad
Bugle Call The Band Call Trad
Bugle Call Fall In Trad
MARCH ON
Quick March Sarie Marais Toonsetting
DISPLAY
Fanfare Eagle Ascending Cole
Quick March To Fight and Win Curtis
Quick March Per Mare Per Terram Rose
Slow March Globe and Laurel arr. Dunn
Slow March Preobrajensky Donajowski arr. Dunn
Quick March Royal Salute Waterer
BEATING RETREAT
Bugle Call Chatham Divisional Call Trad
Bugle Call Portsmouth Divisional Call Trad
Bugle Call Plymouth Divisional Call Trad
Bugle Fanfare Fanfare No 2 Green
Drum Static Drum Coliseum Annett/Cooper
Fanfare Eastney Fenne
Review British Grenadiers Trad
Pick Up Soldiers of the Sea Dunn
DISPLAY
Quick March HM Jollies Alford
Slow Gladiator Zimmer arr. Dowrick
Quick March Captain General Dunn
FINALE
Evening Hymn The Day Thou Gavest Trad
Ceremonial Sunset arr. Green
Patriotic Air Rule Britannia arr. Woodfield
The National Anthem arr. Jacob
MARCH OFF
Regt March Past of the RN Heart of Oak Boyce arr. Dunn
Regt March of the RM A Life on the Ocean Wave Russell arr. Alford
MARCH BACK
Quick March Famous Songs of the British Isles arr. Dunn
Drum Solo 3/4 Quick Piner (Snr)
Quick March The Mountbatten March Dunn
Drum Solo Wee Mac Piner (Snr)
Quick March Wellington Zehle
Drum Solo Claymore Piner (Snr)
Quick March Under the White Ensign Dunn
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