The Royal Marines Band Service On-line Community

NeffCollins

Sadly Norman (known as Neff) passed away on 2nd Septembe 2009.

He was very proud of his service in the Royal Marines having served on numerous ships, including the Royal Yacht in the fifties and sixties, as well as HMS Victorious, HMS Bulwark, HMS Vanguard, HMS Ceylon and many others. He also taught music at HMS Collingwood among others.

I have many photographs covering his period of service and would be happy to pass them on to any historian of the Royal Marines who would be interested.
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Ron Collins, brother of Band Sergeant N.F.Collins (Neff) Served 1948 - 1974

Hornblower · Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 11:24 am Post subject:

Aww, that's so sad - please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.

I was a very young horn player on my first draft from the box at Deal when I was sent to Chatham in April 1972.

The section was Neff, Wally Waters, me (Stuart Thorn) and Ginge Ashton, but he was drafted not long after I joined so I don't have very many memories of him. In fact the only thing I remember (and I hope it puts a smile on your face) was doing a concert in the Dockyard with him and Wally - Ginge was recovering from a heart attack - there were a few remnants of stage equipment from some production or other at the sides of the stage and they looked like giant loo rolls.

Well, when one of us mentioned this (with a humourous comment) it was one of those moments where you're on full display knowing that you cannot laugh - of course, that makes it more difficult not to. All 3 of us were inveterate gigglers and trying not to laugh during the concert only made it worse - we just kept trying our best to ignore each other, with pathetic results.

All I can say is when Neff tried to play a solo and saw Wally's shoulders silently heaving and hearing our gasps of breath, it wasn't the best sound he'd ever produced!!!

Rest in Peace Neff, you helped give me one of my most memorable moments during a concert

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ITMA!

Nick B · Bugle Major Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 824 Location: Deal

I never served with Neff but it is always sad when one of our number pass to the Massed Bands above

RIP Neff condolonces to all His Family

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Still driving trains around in circles! (and a bit further now)

2nd Clarinet · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 6:36 am Post subject:

I, along with Hornblower, served with Neff for a very short time in Chatham and didn't get a chance to now him well.

My thoughts are with his family.

R.I.P. Neff........

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Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy marshmallows, which are kinda the same thing...!
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