Drum Major P Gordon RM

Drum Major Phil “Flash” Gordon was born and raised in Plaistow, East London. He joined the Royal Marines Band Service at Royal Marines Deal on the 7 September 1987 at the tender age of 16 years and 13 days.

On completion of 18 months initial training he was initially drafted to RM Band, Dartmouth. This was to be one of the shorter drafts of his career and six weeks later, and a Grey Funnel deployment to Poland; he was drafted to Commander in Chief Fleet Band at RAF Northolt.

During his time at Fleet Band he had the opportunity to reaffirm his acquaintance with the Grey Funnel Fleet and travelled the globe extensively.

In April 1994 Fleet Band was disbanded and Flash was drafted to Portsmouth. During his time at Portsmouth he served onboard HMY Britannia, attended the Junior Command Course at Commando Training Centre, Royal Marines (CTCRM) and the Drum Majors Course at HMS Raleigh. In January 1998 he was drafted to RM Band, Dartmouth where he assumed the role of Assistant Drum Major. Whilst serving at Dartmouth he was promoted to substantive Corporal Bugler and volunteered for a six month deployment to Kosovo, (serving with Medical Squadron, Royal Marines). Whilst in Kosovo he carried out the duties of a driver, vehicle commander and section commander. On his return from Kosovo he was drafted to RM Band, Plymouth where he once again assumed the duties of the Assistant Drum Major. Whilst at Plymouth he attended the Senior Command Course at CTCRM.

In February 2003 Flash received his Corps Appointment and assumed the position of Drum Major RM Band, Scotland. In December 2004 he joined the Royal Marines School of Music as Drum Major Training before moving back to Dartmouth as the band's Drum Major.

Flash is a keen sportsman and enjoys running, squash, rugby and football. He is a qualified canoeing instructor, pool lifeguard, powerboat handler and diver.

Flash currently lives in Dartmouth with his long suffering wife Shelley and their two son’s Jack and Charlie.