| Band of the King's Own Royal Border Regiment | |
|---|---|
 Crest of the King's Own Royal Border Regiment | |
| Active | 1 October 1959–1 September 1994 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch |
 British Army |
| Type | Military Band |
| Role | Military Music and Medical |
| Size | Initially 50, later 21[1] |
| Part of | King's Own Royal Border Regiment |
| March |
Quick – John Peel Slow – Corn Rigs Are Bonnie |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Bandmaster Clifford Vernon Wright |
The Band of the King's Own Royal Border Regiment was military band of the British Army which represented the King's Own Royal Border Regiment from its formation in 1959 until its disbandment in 1994.
History[]
The Band of the King's Own Royal Border Regiment was formed in 1959 through the merger of the Band of the King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) and Band of the Border Regiment under the leadership of Bandmaster Clifford Vernon Wright, who was former Bandmaster of the Border Regiment. On amalgamation in 1959, Bandmaster Wright produced a new arrangement of 'D'ye ken John Peel', which became the new regimental quick march. The slow march was 'Corn Rigs Are Bonnie', adopted from the King's Own Royal Regiment.[2] The band's initial strength was around 100 personnel as both it's predecessors had 50 personnel total, though this was later reduced to around 30-50 depending upon the performance. After the 1975 Defence White Paper, the band was further reduced to 20 musicians.[1]
The band travelled the world, with regular tours of France, Belgium, West Germany, The Netherlands, and trips further afield to British Guiana, Bahrain, and Cyprus. In 1966, the band took part in Public Duties, and also formed a dance band, a Bavarian band, and a 'beat group', known as 'The X-It'.[2]
During the 1970s, the flare up of The Troubles in Northern Ireland lead to the launching of Operation Banner, with the 1st Battalion, King's Own Royal Border Regiment deploying several times to the province. During their deployments, the band participating in the tours of duties themselves. The Band also served in both musical and military capacities – amongst its musical commitments were the fanfare trumpets that played for Princess Anne, Princess Royal's visit in 1972. In 1985, the band played at the World Cup qualifier football match between Northern Ireland and Turkey. During this time however, the band was often left behind in a rear party, on guard duties and the like.[2]
Other engagements included the participation of the band in the 1977 Silver Jubilee Review at Sennelager Garrison in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II (for which Drum Major Gordon Parry BEM, on his last parade, was the senior drum major), and an appearance in an International Music Festival at Wilhelmshaven in West Germany. During this festival, the band carried off the first prize against competition from the Royal Netherlands Army, German Army, and United States Armed Forces. In 1980, a tour took place throughout Northern England to celebrate the tercentenary (300 years) celebration of the King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster). Later in the 1980s, the band saw trips to West Germany, the Falkland Islands, and Cyprus.[2]
In 1989, for the second time in ten years, the band was called upon to deputize as medical orderlies during an ambulance workers strike. After a spell of 18 weeks during which there was no time for music, the Band was pushed back into the spotlight, when it became the first line regiment band to play at the annual Burma Star reunion at the Royal Albert Hall. This was followed by a memorial service at the Cenotaph, on which occasion the Bandmaster was obliged to lead the Band on the march back, since Drum Major Berry had unfortunately split his trousers.[2]
Further medical duties were demanded in 1990 during the Gulf War (Operation Granby). On its return, the Band recorded an album 'Battle Honours', including such marches as 'Namur', 'Arnhem', and 'Salamanca'. The band's last public performance was during a performance at Carlisle Castle in May 1994, performing several marches in the presence of the regimental colonel.[2][1][3][4]
Following the End of the Cold War, the British Armed Forces were significantly reduced in size, with many of the old regimental bands merging into new larger 'corps bands'. Thus, on 1 September 1994 the band merged with the Band of the King's Regiment, and Band of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment to form the new Normandy Band of the King's Division.[2][5]
Bandmasters[]
Bandmaster of the band included:[2][6]
- 1959–1968: Clifford Vernon Wright LRAM ARCM psm
- 1968–1969: George Wood
- 1969–1973: Albert John Winter
- 1973–1981: Clifford James Ross Hon Mus Doc ARCM FISM psm
- 1981–1987: Malcolm John Torrent LGSM LTCL psm
- 1987–1992: Jeremy Martin FTCL BBCM
- 1992–1994: David James Milgate
See also[]
- Band Beating Retreat on Arroyo Day
- Final Band's Beating Retreat at Carlisle Castle, 14 May 1994
- 'Battle Honours' Album on Apple Music.
- Image Gallery on the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum
Footnotes[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "The Final Beating of Retreat by The Regimental Band &Drums of The King's Own Royal Border Regiment" (in en). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlTF0LHExzM.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Turner, p. 16
- ↑ "John Peel by The Kings Own Royal Border Regiment Band" (in en). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4-9JRldpYc.
- ↑ "King's Own Royal Border Regiment Regular Army History" (in en-GB). https://www.cumbriasmuseumofmilitarylife.org/kingsownroyalborderregiment/kings-own-royal-border-regiment-regular-army-history/.
- ↑ "Corps of Army Music [UK"]. 2007-12-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20071228105032/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/corps/music.htm.
- ↑ Turner, p. 18
References[]
- Turner, Gordon (1997). The History of British Military Bands. 3: Infantry & Irish: Including The King's Division, The Prince of Wales's Division, The Light Division, and The Disbanded Irish Regiments. Staplehurst, United Kingdom: Spellmont Publishers. ISBN 978-1873376287. OCLC 39158802.