Rememberance Day Parade - Cenotaph

2nd Clarinet · Rememberance Day Parade - Cenotaph

Over the last year, I have posted numerous 'In Memory' stories describing the circumstances, along with the names of how members of the Royal Marines Band Service, were killed in both world wars and I included those killed in the Deal bombing.

Our losses in both wars was 25%.

I have been in contact with Charlie Hobson of the Royal Marines Association, and spoke to him about the above.

email: chiefexec@rma.org.uk

He is very very keen to have ex-members of the RMBS, LEAD the Royal Marines Association contingent at this years Cenotaph Parade in London in November.
This is a big year for the RMA at the Cenotaph as they have also invited a section from the USMC to also be part of the RMA column. They want all parts of the corps represented this year and will be submitting a detailed script for the BBC.

I am therefore calling for names of people who are interested in forming part of the RMB section to lead (as we always do) the RMA part of the RN Column at this years Cenotaph Parade.

I need names as the RMA need to apply for tickets (these are allocated to the person allowed to march in the parade), and they need to know what number of ex-RMBS are going to attend.

You are welcome to contact Charlie Hobson on the above email and talk to him if you want to.

One last detail.

The places are ONLY open to ex-members of the Royal Marines Band Service as serving personnel are represented already by the 3 services.

Pusser

Well done Bob!

sticky blue

Nice one Bob, well done.

sticks@heage

Congratulations Bob, a job well done, I would have loved to attend but I am Commited to do the usual for Belper Town Council. Once again mate, well done.

Addy

lesbryan

Nice one indeed bob.Pity iam just a matlot though

Ginge Deary

lesbryan

[quote="Ginge Deary"]

Mr Bass Trombone · Cenotaph

Good on ya Bob can I have a ticket please it will be an honour and even more significant as this the 20th year since the bombing at Deal what a great way to remember those eleven who died for what???

2nd Clarinet

Well done Mick......

Come on lads and lasses.........as Mick has reminded us, this year is the 20th year since the Deal Bombing and the loss of our friends.
It is also a time to remember those who served in the 'family' before us and were lost during the two great wars.

What better way to remember them than by marching down Whitehall one more time in pride of place at the head of the RMA column????

The RMA sponsored the RMA Band, so those members should also be letting me know they want to attend.

I have posted below, the reply I received from the RMA. I do have a contact number for Charlie. If you want it, please PM me and I'll reply.

Dear Bob

Thanks for your e-mail. You ask an interesting point in that the Band Service already has a poc for the Whitehall Ceremony. It is the RMA as we are all of one service. The organisers would probably ask you to be part of us anyway as you are not a seperate service.

So the best plan would be to join the RMA - we have hundreds of former Band Service members, many in very important positions in the RMA where no distinction is made. And you are all very, very welcome indeed. Many PDMs etc are members of the RMA and we often have e-mail debates on Band issues.

The Corps only has one group of marching men and women (we still have many WRENs who wish to march with us and members of the US Marine Corps League). Some former RMs choose to march with other contingents: Aden, SAMA etc.

Anyone of you can hold a wreath to represent the Band Service and hand to the RBL guys at the Cenotaph and I will happily write it in our script for the BBC - although they never prepare and rarely read it out! But you can have whomsoever you like handing it over and I will gladly put it in our script. Indeed I think this is a great and exciting initiative and one that I have been longing to happen for ages. The RMA is very proud of the Band Service and most tickets sold for MFM and Beating Retreat are from the RMA. Finally the RMA raised over £20,000 to kick start the RMA Concert Band that is now thrilling audiences all over the South of England.

So I would think it fantastic if you could get a group together to join us and be part of one Corps marching down Whitehall. It is a fantastic occasion and you will get the write up that we also give to the USMCL and WRENs who join us as one family.

I hope this helps and would be very happy if you want to give me a ring over this. For this year we would put you at the head of our group - it will certainly help with the quality of marching.

Kind regards

Charlie Hobson

Once again........COME ON all you out there.......ALL RANKS!!!!

Mr Bass Trombone · Cenotaph

As Bob said come on lads do your bit for the RMB and the lads who died 20 years ago, I know some will gripe and say I did my bit standing there many a November morning so did I and the rest of Chatham band every year from 1972 until I left in 1981 plus the years I was with the Portsmouth band, surely this our chance to show that we care about our fallen comrades and the great number that have passed on in the last year, so come on one and all swallow your pride and be there for the lads.
BE SEMPRE FIDELIS.

2nd Clarinet

All that without one spelling mistake...Well done MBT.

That has got to be worth putting your name down now......!

styx · Rememberance Day Parade - Cenotaph

Bob can I have two tickets, I am wheelchair bound so will need one for my pusher. Iam a former Bugler, served 1962 til 1976. I would be very proud to represent the Buglers and Musicians especialy to remember the 20th anniversery.
Thanks

styx
Ian (Sammy) Sandell

mahler1

HI Bob, can you add me to list please.
Ed(Paddy)McDermott

2nd Clarinet

Update

To be part of the RMA column at the Cenotaph, you MUST be a member of the RMA.
(Well done MBT, first on the ball, even at your age)

The cost of this is £10 per year. (Either by Standing Order or Debit/Credit Card)

I am in possession of an electronic Application Form for the Royal Marines Assocciation.
A 'Passport' size photograph is to be included for your RMA membership card.

If you want an A/F, please PM me with your email address and I will send.

If you want to be part of this column we have initially been allocated 50 places which the RMA is willing to add to if required.

I need you to PM me with confirmation AFTER you have completed, and sent off your Application Form.

As many PDMs as possible, marching along with us would be great. So, if you know them or where they are, tell them about it.

I am on my hols in Bridlington area, from 12noon 21/08/09 and I return on Saturday 29/08/09. I will not be online during this period.

If you are desperate for an electronic A/F before my return please ask your local RMA or email to: chiefexec@rma.org.uk

Good luck.

See you in the countermarch (this time, for real)...........

Thanks

Bob

styx

Bob I and my pusher are both members of the Brighton and Hove RMA and have the photo membership card.

Styx
Ian (Sammy) Sandell

Mr Bass Trombone

Well done syyx see you there.

2nd Clarinet

Any more names for this muster??????

Come on!!!!!!

Think of it................

Marching down Whitehall on a fresh November morning, in time to stirring music once again. With all your old mates from the RMBS alongside, in front, and behind you.
No Drum Major able to moan to you about your long hair, gray hair and even no hair (You can even talk in the ranks without ending up in the rattle!!!!). Arms swinging, feet crunching and the sun on your lined face. Good physical exercise AND some vitamin D (You don't get both of those with Wii).

Giving an eyes left to the Cenotaph and remembering ALL the RMBS family killed in both wars and especially those killed in the Deal bombing 20 years ago, and having an opportunity to say "Thanks for the sacrifice you made, we miss you".
You'd be there representing those 'others' who are no longer with us, who are there too, walking next to us, unseen by the public but seen through our eyes.

2nd Clarinet · Cenotaph Parade - Whitehall

32 Passes left..............

After 'The Reunion' on Saturday night, I now have only 32 passes left for this.

You may have already applied for a Pass through your own branch of the RMA or Royal British Legion.
(If you have, please let me know so we have a rough number of ex-RMBS attending.)

If you want a Pass from me, PM me with your request and address and I'll get one out to you. (Please bear in mind the proposed Postal strike next week.)

This Pass will let you through the police security cordon, onto Horse Guards.

Details: Sunday 8th November 2009 - 10.10 am - Horse Guards Parade

NO PASS = NO ADDMITTANCE !!!

2nd Clarinet

Cenotaph – Remembrance Day Service and Parade in Whitehall this Sunday.

To all those attending………SEE YOU THERE

I will be taking some spare ‘Passes’ with me just in case anyone has a last minute change of mind and wants to come along.

I’ll be on Horse Guards Parade (with Column F) from 09.15am with Chris Davis and Pat (Pusser) Hill, as they are required for an interview with the BBC about the RMBS.

Come for 09.30 if you want to be in the background shot.

Rememberance Day Parade - Cenotaph

Cenotaph

Cenotaph

Rememberance Day Parade - Cenotaph

Cenotaph Parade - Whitehall