The Royal Marines Band Service On-line Community

A fan · Guest

Lt Col Waterer will be remembered by many for the gift of music that he has left behind for us to enjoy. May he rest in peace and we trust in the lord to keep him.
He may be gone but his music will echo for many years to come.

DW · Guest

The news came as a real shock. I served with Richard on board 'Ark Royal' 75-77 and later as his assistant when he was DOM(T). A superb musician and a gentleman through and through.
My sincere condolences to Sue and may he rest in peace.

David Duxbury-Williams

LTCP123 · On audition Joined: 26 Jan 2006 Posts: 6

A SHOCK TO ALL WHO NEW HIM.
RICHARD WAS ALWAYS FAIR TO ME WHEN I SERVED WITH HIM AS MY DOM. AT CTCRM.
CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
LUCIEN & ALISON PRIDAY

rawlij_1 · Guest

I never had the privilege to meet Col.WATERER,but I did have the pleasure of attending the Mountbatten Festival of Music when he was Director.This as always reminded me of how lucky I,and countless others,were to have served in the Corps.
Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

hartg · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 7:52 pm Post subject:

Tempus Fugit.

Today I accessed the revamped RM-bands website after having not visited it for some months and was shocked to be greeted with the news of Richards' passing.

Having known him since I first entered the Staff Band in the early 70's, he was always the truest gent.

We met on a few occassions after I moved to the Central Band of the RAF, and it was always the same sincere greeting along with that endearing smile. I'm sure it will always be there with us all.

Mere words are not enough to describe someone as gifted as Richard.

We were fortunate enough to be here when he was, let that be his legacy.

Rest in peace in heaven.

My sincerest condolences to all of his family.

Geoff Hart.

Dave Tremaine · Guest

The accolades for Richard can go on for ever. Having attended his funeral on Thursday it was just as he would have wished, a celebration of his life and work and it was wonderful to see so many bandsmen there. Some had never served with him but still felt they wished to be there.
I have known Richard since he joined at Deal and we had great times sitting together in the Staff Band at Deal. Richard was not only a great musician and trombone player but he was also a great human being. Always friendly and always ready to help anyone in need. Besides all this, Richard was what we all are or were, a Royal Marine Bandsman and he never forgot that. Yes, he became an officer and eventually the PDM but he never forgot his roots and was never afraid to get his trombone out of its case for a blow with a big-band or any other combination and he always greeted you with a smile. That's the Richard I shall remember.
Dave Tremaine

Muttley PU · Guest

Not being musically disposed I was, however, a Royal Marine.

I did not know him personally but had the pleasure, with my wife, of attending several MFoM's at the Albert Hall, and have seen "His" bands perform in Plymouth and Deal. They were, as always, brilliant.

He will obviously be sorely missed by, not just, his close family but also the greater families of the Band Service and the Corps in general.

No doubt the Angels are busy practising for his arrival! They have a high standard to maintain.

Aye, Muttley

The Donkey · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:12 pm Post subject: RIP

I only met Richard on a few occassions, but he always made the effort to say hello and was always willing to offer sage advice when asked for. He was definitely one who won't be replacable. My sincere condolences to his family.

Matt Hobson · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 7:21 pm Post subject: Waterer

Dear all,
I was upset to hear about Richard Waterer and wish to pass my sympathies to all that new him well. He was a great man to work for. He knew his men well even if he had no direct contact with him.

I had the pleasure of playing a solo at an officers do at lympstone. Richard and his wife were there and were sat about 4 feet from me. Richard, noticing I was very nervous due to his prescence, gently smiled and afterwards stood up infront all the officers and shook my hand. His gently, kind nature helped to produce a good performance from all the RM band members everytime he was out front.
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Matt Hobson

pearlkit · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 12:16 pm Post subject:

VFBANDSMAN*ETSUD · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 2:13 am Post subject:

I am not a Royal Marine, I am a Band Cadet at Valley Forge Military Academy, I have had the pleasure of working with COL Waterer during our annual Tattoo where he conducted Dark Island. A most magnificant man, he is missed by our corps of cadets and most of all our regimental band. I wish I could of learned more from him and his experence. Probably the best Commandant of Cadets we ever had. I am always reminded of him when I listen to Gibraltor and Dark Island.

joe90 · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:02 am Post subject:

Yesterday, I had to go to a Student Loans Company meeting at Portsmouth University, unfortunately it was all day or I would have attempted get over to visit RMSoM.

The meeting was in the Boardroom at the top of the building and in the course of going up the stairs I noticed a photo gallery of well known personalities, Lynford Christie, Matthew Pinsent, Anita Roddick, Don Lusher and others. Nestled in amongst them was a photo of Richard resplendent in the academic robes of Doctor of Music, the photo taken shortly after his conferral of the Doctorate by the University.

It was fitting to see him in the same company as so many other great achievers and a brightener for what was going to be a long day.
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Waving, not drowning