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Clive ‘Sproz’ Sproston joined the Band Service in 1973 at the Royal Marines School of Music in Deal. With his previous musical experience, he quickly made the transition to life as a trainee percussionist and was popular with his classmates and instructors alike. Even before joining he had met his future wife Sharon, and she regularly visited him at Deal to spend time with him. His sociable nature and wider sporting interests, such as basketball, also helped make him popular amongst his peer group. Following completion of his training he was drafted to the Band at HMS Ganges and subsequently drafted to Chatham CinC Fleet Band, before being drafted to the Commando Training Centre where he served for many years. Having had his musical and leadership skills recognised, Sproz was soon promoted to Corporal and served on board various ships in the FOF3 Band. It came as no surprise to us that knew him well, that soon after his promotion to Sergeant, Sproz attended the Bandmasters course, bringing him once more back to Deal. So after a year of study, experimenting with various home brew recipes and an active social life, Sproz passed the course with flying colours, gained the LRAM in 1988 and proceeded to serve as VBI, and subsequently in the Fleet and Dartmouth Bands. Following his promotion to WO2, fellow percussionists were very proud to have our very own Bandmaster amongst our ranks, and it inspired some of us to seek further advancement. A good friend, Sproz led an active life, was sociable and always good company to be in. A good ‘gigger’, musician and showman, he led by example and always had time to help others.
Sproz extended his musical interest by taking up the post of conductor for the Totnes Town Band and this continued after he retired from the Band Service. He thoroughly enjoyed his time with them and remained closely associated with them right up until his sudden passing in October 2005.
Sproz’s funeral took place on the 2nd November 2005 at Torquay Crematorium. There were no spare seats and many fellow mourners had to stand together at the back. This was not a deeply religious or sad service but an upbeat celebration of Sproz’s life. A collection of friends and former colleagues gave their personal memories, which were made all the more poignant by the family’s choice of music. Sproz leaves behind his loving wife Sharon, daughters Laura and Sarah and two grandchildren.
As friends of his, it might seem selfish to talk of deep personal loss when Sproz has left a close family behind. However, having joined the RMB as boys, we remained close friends for all of our Service careers and beyond, and there is now a hole that cannot be filled. For those who knew him, keep your favourite Sproz memory to mind and when you next find yourself with glass in hand, raise it to ‘Sproz’…that’s what he would have wanted. \0\0
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