A MUSICAL VOYAGE - Royal Australian Navy

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After spending the weekend recovering from jetlag and getting used to the cold weather,
Major Smallwood and I headed down the M27 to the “west country” to the Commando
Training Centre in Lympstone, near Exeter in Devon, to introduce me to my Band. The
following day was one full of wonderful moments, including meeting my Musicians and
Buglers (especially the golfers!), being introduced to the Brigadier and finding the Officer’s
Mess Bar. The highlight of the day was when Major Smallwood showed me the corridor of
the Band room where the portraits of former Director’s of Music CTCRM Band are proudly
displayed. I was told that my portrait was to be placed directly opposite the portrait of
Major Ricketts RM (aka Kenneth Alford) who was the Director in the 30’s and 40’s. I was to
be among prestigious company indeed!
Leading Seaman Douglas was straight into the thick of things over in Portsmouth with an
Orchestra Concert performed in St Mary’s Cathedral in Portsmouth. It is indeed a rarity for
our musicians to have the opportunity to perform at work with strings, so the concert was
the first of many great experiences she would have during the exchange. We both travelled
down to the Britannia Royal Naval College to parade for the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir
Jonathon Band (a four-star Admiral!) and my memory of my first parade in charge was that
we both froze for just under two hours in the wind and drizzle. The first few weeks for both
of us were a time of watching, learning and just getting used to everything, and before we
knew it, the Band Service went on leave and we were left to our own devices for two
weeks.
We decided to travel through Wales for the first week, which was simply beautiful,
although still cold and rainy. Highlights included a visit to Tintern Abbey just outside
Cardiff, Lake Vyrnwy in the mountains (stunning!) and me almost driving the wrong way
around a roundabout: a near-death experience for us both. We then caught the Eurostar
(very fast train – almost 300km/hr) to Paris. I had high expectations of Paris, having been
told by friends that it is a great city in which to visit famous buildings, dine on wonderful
food and wine, or just simply sit at any one of thousands of small cafes and watch the
world walk by. We did all of these things, and Paris lived up to expectations completely.
We found the people friendly, our wafer-thin knowledge of the French language sufficient,
and had a fantastic few days.
Anzac Day commemorations saw us return to London, and gave a wonderful opportunity to
openly display our Australian heritage in Hyde Park at the Dawn Service. There is something
unique and special about being an Australian Serviceman when you are overseas at an
Anzac Day Dawn Service. Later that morning we were both involved in the security team for
the Westminster Abbey Anzac Service where we greeted and helped organise thousands of
British citizens and Australian Expatriates prior to their entry to the Abbey. On completion
of the Service, the usual Anzac customs were observed with plenty of good cheer and
“Aussieness” in abundance at an Australian pub on the Thames.
Returning to work for us both saw Leading Seaman Douglas join me down at Lympstone for
the last of the Winter Series of Concerts at Exmouth, not far from Lympstone. The venue is
an old theatre and Leading Seaman Douglas performed an Oboe solo receiving loud and
lengthy applause from audience members and other musicians alike. Fortnightly parades
and the occasional Concert were the rule of thumb for the next few weeks until we were
tasked to travel to Scotland from our respective Bands to work with Captain Jon Ridley and
his musicians for ten days at HMS CALEDONIA near Edinburgh. The whole experience of
travelling in and around Scotland is superb. Hairy cows, golf, the highlands and lots of
haggis and whisky were the highlights, with a concert performance in Glasgow at the BBC
Scottish Symphony Orchestra Hall being a brilliant night for musicians and audience alike.
As guests at both the Trooping of the Colour and Beating the Retreat at Horse Guards
Parade in London, we were treated to some of that famous British Military spectacle for
which they are world-renowned. Beating the Retreat involves about 250 RM Musicians and
Buglers, and featured some incredible Drum work from the Buglers. The marching display
was imaginative and complex, having been designed by the Corps Drum Major.
Royal Australian Navy Band: A Musical Voyage