HM Royal Marine Band
Andrew C. Toppan
Having just returned from a marvelous performance by HM Royal Marine Band,
I'm hoping one of our readers from "across the pond" can fill me in on the
history & traditions of that organization....I'm assuming that, like many
other things British, the Band has been around since just after the Dawn
of Time, and has more history, tradition, and ceremony built-in than most
the world combined... (the program was less than enlightening about the
band, other than to say it is old and musical...)
Thanx
--
Andrew Toppan --- acto...@gwi.net --- "I speak only for myself"
US Naval & Shipbuilding Museum/USS Salem Online - http://www.uss-salem.org/
Naval History, World Navies Today, Photo Features, Military FAQs, and more
Stephen Shepherd
http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/careers/marines/index.htm. You can even listen to
some of their music there.
"The origins of the Royal Marines Band Service go back to the days of Drake and
Hawkins when drummers signalled the 'changing watches' or 'beat the men to
quarters'. In the six companies of the Duke of York and Albany's Regiment of
Foot - the forerunners of the Royal Marines - which were raised in 1664 - the
Colour and the Drum provided a rallying point in close battle. This is why
even today it is the drums and bugles of the Royal Marines Buglers Branch which
lead the band on parade."
Andrew C. Toppan wrote:
--
Stephen Shepherd St George's Day, 23 April
-- http://homepages.which.net/~stephen.shepherd --
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mike paterson
Andrew
> In days of yore, like 2 or 3 years ago when we had a royal yacht, a
> detachment of Royal Marines were usually around to protect the Queen or
> whoever was on HMY Britannia at that time. The Queen usually gave lavish
> parties on board. My parents in law will verify this. After the banquet the
> RM band usually performed on the dock side and part of the performance is
> always "Beating the Retreat". Something I find hard to believe, British
> forces retreating !!
Recently there are moves afoot to reduce the size of the bands. They do however
perform a wartime role as do all UK military Bands. They are Firstaiders,
Ambulance drivers, etc
Mike