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Jim Mason · Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 11:29 pm Post subject: Royal Tournament 1981

1981 was the turn of the Massed Bands of the Royal Marines for Earls Court, but as it was a historic occasion, the show was opened by the combined bands of the Royal Marines, Irish Guards, and the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. The Royal Marines were as always, housed in the infamous Warwick Hall (all in one room!) The Irish Guards travelled in daily from their HQ in London, and the Central Band of the Royal Air Force came in by coach daily from Uxbridge.

Prior to the afternoon show on the second Friday, we received a message that the Central Band of the Royal Air Force was held up in a major traffic problem and would not arrive in time for the show. We had to make last minute changes to the display, and the audience was informed that "Due to circumstances beyong out control, the Central Band of the Royal Air Force will not appear at the afternoon performance"

The bands entered that arena playing David Cole's arrangement of The Army, the Navy and the Air Force, but on this occasion, the lyrics would have read "The Army, The Navy and (2 bars rest)" This was repeated each time the phrase was played throughout the march. The audience appreciated the gesture, and even the very senior Royal Air Force officer taking the salute managed a wry smile!

Each band had its own administration office in Earls Court and when the Royal Air Force eventually arrived they found that the Royal Air Force crest on their office now read;

THE CENTRAL BAND OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE

(CLOSED ON FRIDAY AFTERNOONS)

FFoglamp · Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:05 am Post subject:

Yes. I was on that RT. ....and I remember that friday afternoon. good dit.

I like good dits

PIE is better. mmmmmmmmm
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townsergeant · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 12:14 pm Post subject:

It wasn't 1981 but we still haven't found the infamous milk-bosun, who thought you had to take the milk bag out of its box before putting it in the machine!

My money is still on Sid Davis, twin Bro' of the PDM.
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RAB · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 4:09 pm Post subject:

FFoglamp · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 10:14 pm Post subject:

Rab, I clocked up a few, like most of us. Most of the years merge in to one now.

So, Colonel Jim, Billy, or Rab, which year was it then ?
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Mmmmmmm PIE!!! How rare.

townsergeant · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 8:32 am Post subject:

Hornblower · Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 4:13 pm Post subject:

I was in the Albert Hall (can't remember the year - but it was in the 70's) rehearsing for the Festival of Remembrance. The RAF decided not to turn up for that one, apparently setting a trend to be continued in the 80's!

Those of you that have done this gig, or watched on telly, will know that there's a popular little tune played whilst the BL flags are being paraded. The Guards massed bands did the inevitable - but very funny - thing with it...

(With apologies to all that don't know the tune)

...the Army, the Navy and the (silence silence)

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Wolfy · Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 6:07 pm Post subject: Milky Bar Kid!

Well Billy,

I was working the Warwick Hall Coffee boat when the milk incident happened. (Trying to make money to pay for my wedding which was a waste of bloody time now I think about it)

I have to say that the more I try and recollect it, the more convinced I am that it was Sid Tanner.

Brian Short was working the coffee boat too (when he wasn't alone in the dark behind the curtain of our makeshift "Cinema?) so if we can get him on here he may be able to put this one to rest for you.

Crusty Driller (percussion type person) was also in the vicinity as I recall.

Sorry I cant be more precise but the net is closing.
I hope you are not going to rip the p***s out of whoever it was once he's identified???

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sticky blue · Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 6:15 pm Post subject:

as if - waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
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townsergeant · Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 6:31 pm Post subject: Re: Milky Bar Kid!

FFoglamp · Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:10 pm Post subject:

Brian Short is already a member here. Goes under the name of "banging and crashing", but has become one of the many "one post wonders". Where do all these bods go? Have us regulars upset them, or do they pretend they have lives, and therefore no time to play on our favourite forum ?

Not sure if Dusty Miller (perc) is registered, but he definitely lurks, as he emailed me recently, and I know he got me from here.

As regards the famous milk monitor, can't remember either. Perhaps he's also the Aardvark ?

Anyway, no more question marks ?

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Aaron Aardvark · Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:11 pm Post subject:

????? moi???? wahh roflmao

FFoglamp · Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:15 pm Post subject:

Thought it might be a lucky guess. Still, there is no pint in identifying Aa as the milk bosun, if we don't know who he is either?

1981 RT ? Was that the year I did the Royal Torment t-shirts. mmmmmmm nooooo, probably 1984 or 1987. Anyone recall ? :money:
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Aaron Aardvark · Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:16 pm Post subject:

87 i still have one wahhhhh

FFoglamp · Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:19 pm Post subject:

A ha . So you were still around for that then ?

You must have been because that was also the "Fleet Band Aardvarks" t shirt time, sort of era !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Mmmmmmm PIE!!! How rare.