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joe90 · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:11 pm Post subject: Hedley Locke

Just picked this up from Dickie Valentines site from Derek Usher. Occurred sunday.

As a member of the RMA Concert Band we all received the very sad news from Ted Whealing (our DOM) that Hedley Lock passed away this evening at 20.30p.m. -
Hedley was a very active member of the band & in spite of his recent illness & major operations, he rarely missed a rehearsal and was with us only a fortnight ago blowing his Euph' as strongly as ever!

This news is so hard to believe or take in at present, particularly after only seeing him so recently at rehearsal doing his level best (as always) not to let the demon "C" get to him. He so enjoyed his music and loved playing. He just carried on with life as normal, always being Hedley, always joking, always smiling, so defiant, so stoic in the face of what he was having to live with.

Such a great guy, loved by all of us. One shining example of how to override adversity by showing an amazing positive attitude to life in general. - In all honesty, I don't think any of us knew how ill he really was or felt. He made a point of diverting or hiding that from us all whenever we spoke. - The only possible indicator I guess, was his visible weight loss, but even that he'd make jokes about!

One amazing guy and one that truly will be sorely missed by all who knew him. There will now be one enormous space left behind not only for us but for his nearest & dearest family whom we can only extend our deepest & most heart felt sympathy.

But lets assure them that "Hedders" will indeed rest in musical peace from now on and always in the knowledge that, at the very least, he will soon be surrounded by many of his old comrades who have gone before him, including the lovely and most recently departed Ned Kelly eh!?
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townsergeant · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:52 pm Post subject:

So sad when yet another of 'our family' crosses the bar..

Rest in Peace
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Nill Illigitimi Carborundum

Mr Bass Trombone · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:26 pm Post subject:

Sad is not enough for me to say on picking up the loss of Hedley George Belchem Lock. I had the greatest of pleasure of serving with him as a young musician as most of us were at that time on the first commission of HMS HERMES 1960/61 , and during my time at Eastney in the mid 60s. It was at Eastey whilst serving on the Yacht that Hedley as the cello player of that time had a hand in teaching a then young Prince Charles to play the Cello, was he successful I don't think we know. But what a great guy, always cheerful loved by all, always had a quip for any situation. Goodbye old friend you will be sadly missed by me and many other members of our family the RMB. My sincerest condolences to his lovely wife and family and all of us that had the pleasure of sharing in his company.
HEDLEY GEORGE BELCHEM LOCK.
RIP
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Mr bass trombone

bootybandy · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:20 pm Post subject:

I once played a round of Golf with Hedley at the Corps Golfing Society Championships at Launceston. He was a very funny man and was liked by all that met him. Sadly missed he definitely will be.

RIP Hedley.
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Wine is meant to be drunk............I am drunk.............Therefore am I wine??

bootybandy · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:18 pm Post subject:

This has just been placed on the Corps Golf Website;

Gentlemen

It is with sadness that I have just been informed that Hedley Lock sadly passed away on the 6th April. I never served with Hedley but since becoming Corps Golf Secretary have had the pleasure of his company on more than one occasion, like I am sure most of you have.

He was very proud that he was part of the best Military Band in the world, which certainly can not be argued with, if you have ever been to Launceston to the RMGS Championships then you will know that is sense of humour contagious.

I have been informed that his funeral will take place next Tuesday in Sandford, as soon as I get details I will put it on the RMGS Website.

On Sunday we lost one of the RMGS GREAT CHARACTERS, and I am sure that Launceston will never be the same again.
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Wine is meant to be drunk............I am drunk.............Therefore am I wine??

Mr Bass Trombone · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:53 am Post subject:

Well said Twink. The funeral of our dear departed friend Hedley, is on Tuesday 15th April at 1045 at Eastbourne crematourium. I will be there in spirit, I unfortuanately cannot attend as I will be in the air on my way to the WCR where I will raise a glass or two to his memory.Any one who attends please give my condolences to all especially to his two great friends Alan Walker and Bob Baker.
Thanks again Twink.
HGB LOCK.
RIP
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Mr bass trombone

Pusser · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:52 am Post subject:

Hedley! Sat next to him on the cello desk in Deal and Pompey. A one off.

I remember at a Winter Concert in Deal he pointed out a lady in the back row - raised seats under the balcony - said it was obvious she fancied me. His secret little nods and winks between me and her took me right in. Actually he was giving her completely different information to me - you see he knew her well and I did not.

Up shot was a very embarrassed stitched up young Bandy who approached the wife of one of Hedley's oppos! Wished the gound to open under me!

OK.......Deal, Main Parade, Staff Band marching about as they did while we were being inspected. Some march, can't remember, sounded a bit odd during the trio. It was Hedley - on pot as he sometimes was - busking the piccolo bit! Priceless.

My wife has met him only twice, and then briefly at our Reunions. He won her straight off with his humour and immaculate timing.

He was an exceptional cello player.

Cheers Hedley, for all the laughs.
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Pusser!

Pusser · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:56 am Post subject:

Further to....................

Are we OK to attend his funeral? If so I can take 6 - tops - in my car from Pompey but the back seats are a bit snug!

Anyone fancy a lift pm me. Going to be away until Sunday afternoon from now - my Dad's funeral as it happens.

Hedley was always chewing his tie.................................
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Pusser!

sticky blue · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:44 pm Post subject:

RIP Headley
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Malcolm (Tommo) Thomas ex sticky blue
An advantage of growing old is that flossing your tooth takes much less time

Nick B · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:21 am Post subject:

Another fine character from our family has passed away. I always remember Headly at my first reunion of the RMB Service selling pens!
What a character. Rest in Peace Headley...........
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Still driving trains around in circles! (and a bit further now)

Hornblower · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject:

Rest in peace Hedley.

I aspire to your type of humour and outlook.

I never knew you, but from what I have read, I'd have loved your company.

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Know they're not!

ITMA!

Mr Bass Trombone · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:24 pm Post subject:

You certainly would have

, Ickle Til

.
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Mr bass trombone

bootybandy · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:10 pm Post subject:

Spoke with Jon Yates yesterday who said that he went to Hedleys funeral. Standing room only, both inside and outside the chapel. All in all a good send off for the man....Rip mate.
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Wine is meant to be drunk............I am drunk.............Therefore am I wine??

2nd Clarinet · Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:49 am Post subject:

Only just picked up on this thread.

Another sad loss.

RIP
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Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy marshmallows, which are kinda the same thing...!
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admin · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 3:25 pm Post subject:

On 6th April we mourned the loss of Hedley George Belsham Lock RMB 3452. Hedley was born in Derby 1940 and, like most of his new found comrades at the time; he left home and school in October 1955 to join the Royal Marine Band Service in Deal. He completed his training 1959, and his first draft saw him joining the RM Band of HMS Hermes, serving on that great hulk from 1959 to 1961. He married Jennifer in 1961 after returning home from the Hermes commission September 1961. PO Wren Jennifer Harwood was at that time in charge of Pusser's rum at Pompey.

On leaving Hermes his good musicianship saw him join the elite Royal Yacht Band where he soon made his presence felt all over the ship with his quick wit and exceedingly dry humour. His great claim to fame was undoubtedly being the only member of Ship's Company to be on first name terms with the Duke of Edinburgh!

HRH presumed that Hedley was his surname and he was never corrected.

Hedley was without a shadow of a doubt one of the most outstanding characters that I have ever known, a legend in his own time. He will be remembered by his friends for many things, especially his knack for stating the obvious in a humorous way. After leaving the band service he went into the Licensed Trade for seven years. He always commented that in that time he ruined four pubs (drank them dry).

He then started his third career with Classic Pens and although Hedley was an avid golfer he was never far from his music. Each year for 19 years he played in the All Stars Band in Margate, also the Solent Symphony Orchestra, and he was a founder member of the newly formed RMA Concert Band.

Hedley was given his final draft at Eastbourne Crematorium on 15th April in one of the most moving ceremonies that anyone could wish for. Talk about getting a “Quart in a Pint pot”. Even if fully expected the Chapel was at bursting point, due to the strength of Hedley’s popularity as both a man and a person. Bob Cummings, who took on the role as “Usher” and did an admirable job, soon found out that he had his work cut out endeavouring to fit everyone into an already large chapel. For it soon became standing room only on both sides, the rear and eventually, when there was not a square inch to stand in the centre aisle too.

A Jon Yates led Quintet comprised members of Hedley’s RMA Concert Band that included Jon, Roger Hammond, Bob Scarrett, Dave Thomas and Dave Yates (all fully rigged in Uni of course as respect to Hedders). It just made the occasion that little bit more special and provided just the right balance of appropriate incidental music, together with the hymns Abide with Me and the Naval hymn Eternal Father prior to Hedley’s Commendation and Committal.

The service was also wonderfully and appropriately led by ex RMB Boy and now RMA Concert Band Trombonist the Rt Rev Dr Barry Shucksmith (RN Rtd) who also added to the many tributes to the life of such a character as Hedley, and as Barry eluded, he certainly was a "one off" to say the least,
Being such a close buddy, musical friend and golfing chum of Hedley’s it fell to me to first pay tribute to “the man”. So much has been said in the past and at least I was not short of anecdotes and memories of some of the more hilarious times we spent together. The difficulty was being able to recount the ones that would not offend the church or the assembled company! (Particularly bearing in mind where we were and that it was, after all, also a family audience)

Somehow I managed to throw in a few potted stories to remind everyone as to the sort of prankster Hedley forever was. He would have enjoyed seeing the smiles on the faces of all those attending this day for sure

We’ll all miss him and particularly his loving wife Jennifer, their children Andrew, Kate, Peter and Victoria plus of course his six proud grandchildren.
RIP Hedley George Belsham Lock.
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