The Royal Marines Band Service On-line Community

revhitchins · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 1:27 pm Post subject: INTRODUCTION

Got an unknown email telling me that Stu Thorn had broken cover on this site. Hi, Stu; what are you doing there? I seem to remember that you came from Margate...
Also heard a buzz recently that the Sharp twins will soon be a pair of "Mr"s (where's my invite to the top table?!).
Regards also to any other 3/69-ers still around - indeed, anyone who might remember me.

Graham Hitchins
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Graham Hitchins

admin · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 6:26 pm Post subject:

Graham,
you are most welcome here.

The Sharps are due outside, perhaps a call to the respective band secretarys might be in order. They will need someone to bless the wine, guiness, cider, lager, bitter, rum, port etc. It could be a busy day

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Hornblower · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 9:59 am Post subject:

Hey Graham!

You're quite correct, I did come form Margate - used to go home every w/e whilst at Deal. sometimes in the week too. Thinking back, I think it was great that I could do that - even if it was just to get my dhobi done!! 8)

Most of my family still live there and I do visit occasionally, but I've lived in Staffs for the past 2 years and it's not so easy now.

I saw your CV on the net and got a bit of a surprise at your 'calling'. I'm sure you make do a grand job, just like you did with anything you attempted as a boy musician. I don't think we got to meet after getting 'rated', am I right?

Stuey 8)

RAB · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 1:03 pm Post subject:

Hi Graham, Haven't you done well(at long last) I have followed your career covertly for a few years now and it gladens my heart that all the efforts I put in at J/Wing & latterally FOSNI Band have come to fruition for you. I must have been a great inspiration and example of how NOT to become a Vicar. I do remember you were always keen on a one-day-week..Sorry to trouble you on your "MAIN DUTY" day..All the best..RAB

Dan A · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:13 pm Post subject: Rev Hitchins

Hiya Graham..... good to see you on the site...... hope all is well with you and yours. I also hope that enormous hint you dropped about the Sharps Top Table has landed and you are present on the day. I have spoken to four ex Buglers who are going so I do hope some bandies have been invited.!!!!!!! Be so good to see you if you are.

Best wishes
Dan Archer

revhitchins

Dan and the terrible twins:
sorry, I'm a shoot-through; extra evolutions at Cdo Logs of which I wasn't aware when I was dropping heavy hints - after all, it was the unit's remembrance parade, and I've got to work at least once or twice a year!
I'll catch up with the Sharps in due course because I'm in their area.
Dan, good to hear you're still alive (don't forget I still have incriminating photographs...).

Rab: you old reprobate! Are you still "cuffing" trouble-makers on the beat in Kelty? Yes, my entire life has probably taken a turn for the whatever as a result of our days together in Scotland. (Have you sorted out your irises yet, or did you find a girl that thought it was actually cute?)

Stu: thanks for the reply. I think the only time we bumped into each other subsequent to J Wing was on various massed bands. However, I still have the original 3/69 squad photo at the end of the north barracks grave yard (Basil Kidd special), and can remember ALL of the people in the phot - even Graham Lemon, who didn't make it to his 30-bob exam, therefore not fulfilling his ambition to be a concert pianist!! Incidentally, son No 1 (Ben) was born in Thanet hospital at Margate - he seems to have turned out OK despite the experience. Also, the last time I saw Phil Bailey (10-15 years ago?) he was well entrenched just down the road in Broadstairs.
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Graham Hitchins

RAB · Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2005 12:55 am Post subject:

Hi Graham,

Your memory astounds me.It's a shame your spelling hasn't improved though. You should know I haven't had a "P" for 53 years. I left the old bill many years ago, but the experience I gained stood me in good stead for my life of crime that followed. I drifted into the private detective side of the law which armed me with 16yrs. of "dits" I could never put to print. I am now in the soft fruit business (I could always muster a good raspberry when the occasion arose) and life in the Winter is very peaceful.
I still possess the two different coloured eyes but they are barely visible through the visual aids and the occasional hangover(never more than one per day). Great to hear from you again, and I trust you will be freezing an important part of your anatomy off at some cenotaph tomorrow. I will be reporting sick on shore as per norm.

All the very best to you and yours
RAB

Phil (Gilly) Gilbert · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 5:15 pm Post subject:

Hiya Graham,

Gilly here, long time no see, glad you're doing well, you missed a good do the other week at the Sharp's top table, could have done with you there to give a decent Grace, Brian Short made a plebian attempt at it instead !

God bless

Gilly.

revhitchins · Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 3:40 am Post subject:

Gilly
great to hear you're still around. I see we've had parallel moves in life: you're beasting (sic) the hyper-ventilation by being a driving instructor; I'm walking a tightrope by vicaring with a never-has-improved kit-kat strength resistance to temptation...
I'm regretting missing the Sharps' table - it was the only chance I'll ever get for revenge for their sewing up the legs of my pussers PJs when I was their boy section commander (just goes to show the sort of leadership respect I commanded!).
By the way, you seem to have left out the "ab" prefix to your profile hobbies; unless, of course, you really have got older...
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Graham Hitchins