2nd Clarinet
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In Memory13th September 1943.
On the 13th September 1943, the following members of the Royal Marines Band Service gave their lives while serving onboard HMS Uganda.
Musicians F.J. Marks, D.G. Boyce and W.K. James.
I have posted below, the circumstances of that day.
HMS Uganda, was a Second World War era Royal Navy Crown Colony class Light Cruiser.
She was one of the Ceylon sub-class (the second group of three ships built in 1939) built by Vicker-Armstrong at their Walker yard.
HMS Uganda was commissioned on 3 January 1943.
Home Fleet operations
In March 1943 after training at Scapa Flow, HMS Uganda sailed as convoy escort to protect a convoy bound for Sierra Leone from the German Narvik class destroyers operating out of the Bay of Biscay.
After two such convoy duties, she was sent as escort for the RMS Queen Mary, carrying Winston Churchill and his staff to Washington.
The journey was made at 30 knots (56 km/h), and the ship sailed into NS Argentia, Newfoundland, low on fuel.
Upon return from that duty the Uganda returned to Plymouth for a refit.
Mediterranean Fleet operations
With her refit completed, she was sent to the Mediterranean as escort to one of the largest troop convoys of the war heading to Sicily.
The Uganda was part of the bombardment fleet for Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily on 10 July 1943.
She was then assigned to close support for major bombardments throughout Sicily. On the opening of Operation Avalanche, 9 September 1943, she was part of the fleet bombardment covering the invasion of Italy at Salerno.
While serving in the Mediterranean Sea on 13 September 1943, she took a direct hit from a new German radio controlled 1.4 tonne glider bomb. The bomb hit the starboard side aft and penetrated through seven decks and the ship's bottom before exploding.
Sixteen crew were killed and seven injured.
Damage control under Lieutenant Leslie Reed managed to get the ship moving with one engine.
She was towed to Malta by the USS Narragansett, where temporary repairs were made.
There being no dry dock available in the European Theatre that could handle the repairs, the Uganda was sent to the United States Navy shipyard at Charleston, South Carolina.
The heavily damaged ship, with only one of her four propellers working, proceeded across the Atlantic Ocean to Charleston, arriving on 27 November 1943.
To those named above and the ships company who also died…..R.I.P.
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lesbryan
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LEST WE FORGET
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Nick B
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The Royal Marines Band Service has served proud throughout the years as it still does today! 
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bootybandy
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Have you got a copy of the book of Remembrance in your locker Bob???
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2nd Clarinet
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| bootybandy wrote: | | Have you got a copy of the book of Remembrance in your locker Bob??? |
I know you're not knocking it, but.......
A bit of research here, a few reference books there, and a visit to the internet everywhere...........
The time and effort to be able to post it on this site and to remember them on the day, is a job well worth it and which I'm happy to do........
It's also a bit of RMBS, RM, RN and our Country's history, it's never too late to learn!
I think there should be something like this on show in our part of the RM Museum at Eastney, as percentage wise, we lost more than most!
(And it all make it worthwhile when, as in one of my previous 'In Memory' items, the grandson of someone who was lost on that ship, thanks you for the posting........)
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Hornblower
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sticks@heage
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Good on ya Bob,
All the best Addy H
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bootybandy
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Can't argue with that. Great response. 
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Mr Bass Trombone
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22nd SEPTEMBER 1989
LETS NEVER FORGET THAT TERRIBLE DAY.
WHEN 11 GOOD MEN WHERE BLOWN AWAY.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
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RAB
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We all have our personal memories and individual ways of handling the aftermath of that attrocity. Personally, I still stand proud of the way the families and extended family (us) rallied in defiance so soon after the occurence of such a cowardly act.
Best wishes to all those still affected by that awful day, and congratulations to the RM Band Service of today for continuing and improving on the excellence for which we are known Worldwide....
R.I.P in the knowledge we'll never forget you lads.....
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2nd Clarinet
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Hear, Hear!
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Nick B
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I have just returned from the Memorial Garden, with a good turn out of Relatives, Friends, Ex & Serving RMB, PDM and local Dignitaries.
A small but moving service was held in memory of those who lost their lives on the 22nd Sept 1989. The service was accompanied by a Brass quartet from Portsmouth. The last post and reveille was played by a Bugler from Portsmouth.
The Memorial Bandstand looks, as always, resplendant with the Eleven Wreaths and Family flowers.
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Bomber
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Still can't bring myself to go the garden and the service but my thoughts are with all the families at this time.
I stand proud to have served with them all.
R.I.P
Lost Oppos.
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