My last engagement was at the Lord Mayor's Show in London. It was a gig I had performed many times before. The first time was with the Royal Marines School of Music Junior Band supporting CinC Naval Home Command Band, Portsmouth, with the then Bandmaster Rod Starr. Lieutenant Rod Starr became my Boss and a good friend at BRNC some years later, and there's enough mileage for those times for another year of Blog pieces.
Returning to that last working weekend in November 2003, for the Royal Marines. We had travelled up the night before, and if I remember correctly, we stayed at RAF Uxbridge. Supposing that was the case, we would have spent the evening in the town centre pubs despite the early start the following day, followed by a curry and more beers. I remember it was a cold morning when we mustered on the Honourable Artillery Company Grounds. That is where the Bands muster to march towards Mansion House, fitting into the parade on the way. At the pace of the traditional Royal Marines, 116 beats per minute, we didn't take the 20-minute walk indicated by Google Maps.
Anybody who has taken part in a Lord Mayor's Parade will remember that it always has the possibility of being rainy, and I don't think it disappointed that day either. It is always a long day.
After a last coach trip back to Dartmouth, I was surplus to requirements for the Band required for the Remembrance Parade the next day. My replacement had already been drafted into the Band. For the first time in 25 years, I was a spectator.
And that was that for my career in the Royal Marines Band Service. On Monday morning, bright and early, I started an entirely new career as an Administration Manager for VT Group. That was the start of a significant change in my life, leading to where I am now. Twenty-five happy years in the Royal Marines, not another book, surely?
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