Where are they now?

Bill 'Jock' McConnell

Bill 'Jock' McConnell joined the Band Service at Burford as a Band Boy in 1947. Prior to this he had started work at the tender age of 13 drawing 16s a week. A spell as an apprentice piano tuner for 10s a week had followed before the lure of the Band Service proved too great - even if it meant taking a further cut in pay to 7s 6d! Such dedication to music has been the hallmark of Bill's life right up to the present day.

Joining with him were such notables as: Sid Richardson, Rex Ayling, Dave Walton, Dave Parkin, John Brown and Eric Gilham while others already at Burford were Joe Guest, Dave Elliot, Jim Mason, 'Goofy' Williamson, Pete Fox, Dave Wells ('the first junior musician I met') and Sid Rose.
Bill says "We lived in a world of button polish, blanco, ironing greatcoats and serge trousers with old fashioned irons, and dhobey by hand with pussers issue block soap. Life at that time was very regimented and our weekends consisted of fatigues and clean huts, collect coal, polish floors and general duties in officers and sergeants messes plus the sick bay. It seems a wonder we had any time for music.

In my first year as a bandboy I found myself in the boy's band and orchestra and I remember we were all inspired by such people as Bandmaster 'Nazzer' Bone, Ernie Phasey, 'Chan'Kirkwood, Eric Fletcher, Paul Neville and 'Titch' Hazel, who were all involved with training the junior band and orchestra. On one occasion the composer, John Bath, came down with a very descriptive soundtrack for a Naval film about life aboard a Carrier and we eventually went off to Ealing Studios to make the soundtrack for the film. An interesting experience to see at first hand how the music was synchronised to the film.

At seventeen and a half I was drafted to my first ship's band, HMS Vengeance, under Bandmaster 'Dusty' Miller and the renowned BdSgt Bill Moth. A band of 16, it was to be four years before we saw the School of Music again. One particular memory worth sharing was when I and a promising young Candidate (who went on to become a famous PDM) were ashore in Ayr, a small town in western Scotland. We had missed the last boat back to the ship and were looking for somewhere to sleep when we met the local policeman who said we should make our way up the hill to the bakery and tell them "Alec sent you". We went into the bakery where they fed us rolls, scones, butter and huge mugs of tea. By now it was very late and we were directed next door to find a place to crash out. This we did. In the morning we were awakened by a lot of scuffling outside, and people peering in through a large expanse of glass. We had slept in the window display of the local furniture shop! Hastily we beat a retreat via the bakery, where they were enjoying the joke, and back to our ship arriving just in time for Colours!

I remember the fleet gathered at Malta and all the bands massed to produce a band of 200 to give a display to the fleet under the Fleet Bandmaster of the time Lt Ernie Ough. With so many bands on Colours it was often he who blows loudest wins!

Paying off from HMS Vengeance we moved back to the School now at Deal. I remember our arrival at the Guardroom in the early hours with kit, instruments and hammocks, having travelled down from Rosyth. We suddenly found ourselves being inspected and I don't think we impressed the Duty Officer. We were on parade again at 8am for a kit inspection by the Adjutant Capt Blood and as a result all had to purchase at least one item of kit, though in my case, nearly a whole uniform! Happily our stay in Deal was to be short-lived as most of us were to be drafted to HMS Eagle under JJ Martin. We spent a rough fortnight with too many inspections and were picked up and on at every opportunity, however the band did leave a lasting impression. On the evening before our departure two members of the band (who shall remain nameless) thought it would be a good idea to do something about the beautifully polished brass canons outside the Adjutant's office. Quick-drying black paint appeared from nowhere. Next morning, as we boarded our bus for Plymouth, we saw first hand the less than enthusiastic reactions of the Provost Sergeant and the Adjutant. They were as red with anger as the canons were black. We drove out and what happened afterwards, nobody wanted to know!

On completion of my time in HMS Eagle I returned to Staff Band in 1953 under Captain Vivian Dunn. We took part in Her Majesty's Coronation which for us meant a 15 mile round trip….on foot! We started marching from Earls Court at 0800, into Central London, then down the Coronation route before returning to Earls Court at 1630. This took quite a toll on both feet and lips; it was a memorable day!

A number of ships drafts followed including HMS' Superb (Vic Sylvester's first ship), Victory (now Nelson), Maidstone, Tyne (where I first met Derek Holder) and then it was off to the Far East for two and a half years in HMS Terror, Singapore, under Kim Butler, Bill Greasley and finally Jim Mason. This in turn was followed by more sea time in HMS' Alert, Albion and then HMS Belfast.

Whilst in Belfast, Tanganyika was granted independence and our band was amalgameted with the band from 3 Commando Brigade and Dick Place. The ship was present in the Indian Ocean when a Destroyer came alongside for replenishment and during this the Band entertained on the Quarter Deck. The Destroyer, hearing the music, requested the Band to be transferred to give a concert for which we were jackstayed across! Sea time had its moments!

On a visit to a small island in the Indian Ocean the Flag Officer received a signal to say that the Head of State would be pleased to receive the C in C on shore where both anthems would be played. The Flag Officer sent for Bill Greasley, the Bandmaster, saying this obviously means a return visit to the ship by the Head of this island, 'I take it you have the anthem'. 'What anthem?' replied Bill. Ever practical he decided to go ashore with the C in C in his barge and during the reception hid in the depths of the barge and wrote out the anthem as it was being played. Arriving back on board, Bill and I arranged it for the band within the hour. No photocopiers or computers just good old fashioned handraulic. The band copied their parts out and we checked it through with 5 minutes to spare. It bore an uncanny resemblance to Auld Lang Syne in places. The VIP arrived on board with due ceremony and 'right or wrong we made it strong'. To our relief the Head of State had the grace to say he had never heard his anthem played better and Bill Greasley had a well deserved Bravo Zulu from the C in C, Admiral Sir David Luce.

Further ships, the Bandmasters' class with a successful LRAM exam thanks to Michael Hurd and Ernie Stride, an Instructor's post with Peter Sumner in Junior Wing and a draft as Bandmaster in HMS Ganges all followed in succession.

Bandmaster McConnell on parade

The promotion structure changed and the ranks of Staff Bandmaster and Non Commissioned Bandmaster were made redundant in favour of WO1s and 2s. However, coming to the end of my time I was encouraged to sign on for a 5th Five on the understanding that my new rank would have to be that of Band Colour Sergeant. As my new role was to be in the training wing, I philosophically accepted this.

It was during this time that I accompanied the Junior Musicians up to Loch Ewe in NW Scotland for Adventure Training under the leadership of RM Mountain Leaders. I was to learn a great deal of mountain skills in the next 5 years. It was also during this time in the Wing when I took a few junior musicians across to Col Neville's orchestra in North Barracks, to introduce these young violinists to playing in the symphony orchestra. On one occasion this included a young and promising junior musician - Andy Henderson while Peter Best and Chris Davis were others who were in my care.

Although retired Bill still passes his knowledge onto the next generation

In 1978 I was awarded the MSM being the first member of the Band Service to receive it since the medal was reinstated, (having been suspended in 1928).

On retirement from the Band Service in July 79 I joined Paul Neville on the permanent staff at The King's School, Canterbury. I was very lucky to be given the opportunity to continue teaching and to be involved with young bands and I shall always be grateful to Paul for introducing me to such a school where I have spent many happy years.

I was eventually persuaded to take over the RN Section of the Combined Cadet Force at the School where I set up a band course for cadets alongside all the other activities onboard HMS Bristol. It is a privilege to continue to be associated with members of the Band Service; Bugle Major Bob Platts and Sergeant Bugler Chris Bolton are two who support me regularly when I bring down the National CCF Band Summer Camp to RMSM. I now spend my time writing, arranging, teaching and hill walking. I consider myself very fortunate to be involved with the things I enjoy in life. I am still busy repairing instruments and once a year I am involvedwith East Kent Holiday Music where I meet up with Paul Neville, DaveWells, Keith Sharpe, Sid Rose, and Bob Gill.

Lt(SCC) Bill McConnell marches alongside his Combined Cadet Force Band

It is also a pleasure to meet on occasions Joe Guest, Pete Rose, Dave White, Ian Shawcross, Pete Selby, Ken Shears, George Simpson and Ian Crowther.

I have had 19 volumes of folk music published ranging from string quartets to flexible woodwind ensembles, violin, and violin duets, with more in the pipeline. Recently I have been encouraged to resurrect my band scores, and have published a band arrangement of Ode to Joy, Button Boy (a Bugle march originally written for the displays at HMS Ganges), Sir Walter's March, for my step daughter's Pass Out at HMS Raleigh (QARNNS), and I am currently working on a new piece which is nearing its final stages; 18,000 lines of computer instructions so far!

Today I am continually inspired by the quality of sound, presentation and the wider arranging skills of the talented people we have now, all very much in evidence at this year's Mountbatten Festival of Music. What tomorrow brings, none of us can ever be sure, except that in my case I know I will be busy and I'm looking forward to it!

"My very best wishes to all members of the Band Service past, present and future."

Bill