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sticks@heage · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 7:05 pm Post subject: Taff Morgans "Pathfinder"

Funny how things come to mind, but whilst I was driving today memories suddenly came flooding back about Taff Morgans when we were at Pirbright Guards Barracks, where we stopped for accomodation for Lord Mountbattens funeral.

We were leaving each morning at some awful hour on the coach, when the one morning you could not see for fog and mist and the driver was a bit hesitant about driving. Well Taff said go on drives, I will tell you where to go, I know a short cut. Well we did no more than the next minute we mounted up the kerb and the next thing we were driving all over the Officers Mess tennis courts, to see the two Guards Officers faces when they saw this coach comming towards them over the courts was a picture. God I have many a laugh about that.

2nd Clarinet · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:09 am Post subject:

Remember the 'Gig', not the incident.

Lots of practice runs around Eastney Barracks getting the pace correct, (how many beats to the minute?) Final rehearsal with gun carriage, along seafront, to Southsea Pier. Then, up to London for more rehearsals on the actual route at 3.00am. Then the real thing. Big crowds all along the route, nice sunny day and quite moving.......
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Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy marshmallows, which are kinda the same thing...!
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sticky blue · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:11 am Post subject:

Remember it well - I was in Scotland band at the time and we were in Carlisle at the Great Fair on full subs, we were recalled back, 24 hours later we were on our way to Deal to start rehearsals - we had to pay back the money from the day we were recalled.
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I love to cook with wine, sometimes I put it in the food.

Mr Bass Trombone · Drum Major Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 622 Location: Spain

Remember the occasion well, at that time it was either AorB bands turn to be with the Grey Funnel Line Cruise ship in the South Pacific anchored of FIJI

to be specific. We had heard of this terrible tradegy on board the RFA, just before we were due to embark ashore for beat the meat

rehearsal alongside the Flagship. On arrival we noticed that the Ensign and Jack were still at full mast. Information was passed to the powers that be and they did not know what had occured

, within five minutes flags were lowed and a pipe to the ships company was made. Once again the RMB bailed out dear old jolly jack. Dogends to the rescue, up and at em Chatem

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Mr bass trombone

bootybandy · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:20 pm Post subject:

Wee Mac · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:25 pm Post subject:

I was in Stonehouse then and we were duty Band for such occasions. Sadly, we were booked for a 5 week stay in Cyprus.

On behalf of the Commando Forces Band of that time, I offer a big thank you, for those who took our place.
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Once a Bugler, always a Turtle !!

2nd Clarinet · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:11 am Post subject:

Just an aside.......

My appologies if this has already been mentioned elsewhere.

A few weeks prior to Mountbatten's murder, we were attending the yearly Burma Star Reunion at the Royal Albert Hall, and during a lunch/tea? break from rehearsing, we (Chatham Band), in our usual high state of professional readiness, were more interested in playing frizby across the deserted arena.
Mid throw, up pops Lord Louis (with a couple of Aides) from a side entrance, and strides across the arena.
Frizby just misses his head, a few light hearted comments from him are rejoined by a few light hearted comments from us, and he goes and stands next to the main stage talking while the band continues to play (frizby that is, not music).
At one stage he pick up the frizby and threw it back to us. A few more exchanges were made during this time (I can't remeber what was said, these many years forward) but I do remember everyone was happy and in good spirits!

A sad loss of a great man who was intrumental and passionate, in saving the Royal Marines Band Service from Labour government defence cuts during the late 60's.
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Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy marshmallows, which are kinda the same thing...!
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David Duxbury-Williams · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 10:34 am Post subject:

If I remember correctly it wasn't just one coach, as we were lead coach, the rest of the coaches follwed us.

Mr Bass Trombone · Drum Major Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 622 Location: Spain

What to the Albert Hall

to play with your Frizby

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Mr bass trombone

RAB · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 2:34 pm Post subject:

Wee Mac · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 3:15 pm Post subject:

our coach was zinc !
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Once a Bugler, always a Turtle !!

sticks@heage · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:19 pm Post subject: