Page 54 - Bugle No. 17 Spring 2021

BAND & BUGLES
Musician Christie Islamabad Tour
At the beginning of November, Musician (Musn) Cat Christie flew to Islamabad, Pakistan, to assist with the Remembrance Services for the British High Commission. On Sunday 8th November, the service took place led by defence advisor Brigadier Simon Waddington. The service was attended by staff and the High Commis- sioner His Excellency Dr Christian Turner CMG. Readings included In Flanders Fields and The Ode of Remembrance. At 1100hrs, the Last Post was sounded by Musn Christie followed by a two-minute silence, Reveille and then a wreath laying.
On Wednesday 11th of November, at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Rawalpindi, a service was held to commemorate Remembrance Day and the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
This is particularly poignant in South Asia for the large numbers of service personnel who supported the UK Armed Forces and particu- larly in the region of the Fourteenth Army in Burma. The cemetery is beautifully kept with 257 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, connected mainly with operations on the North-West Frontier, along with 101 burials from the Second World War. Officers from across the Commonwealth, including the UK, Pakistan, Australia, Canada and the US were invited to read passages from The Bible and recitations from the Holy Quran. At the end of the service, all personnel were given a rose to place on a grave of their choice. Musn Christie chose to lay hers on Bandsman Ivor Morrison of the 2nd Battalion, The King’s Own Scottish Borderers, as well as taking the time to pause and reflect at the graves of several Riflemen.
At the
end of the service, all personnel were given a rose to place on
a grave
of their choice
Worthy Down Concert
Having not performed a concert as
a unit for a number of months, The Band and Bugles performed a social- ly-distanced concert on the Worthy Down married quarters estate for families and friends.
RHQ RIFLES’ media team streamed the concert live on social media,
with performances of show and stage musical classics, as well as
a Saxophone solo played by our Principal Saxophonist Cpl Keith Benham. The Bugle Platoon performed a number of bugle marches including The Lonely Bugler and High on a Hill. The Buglers were also able to show marching at light tempo, and at the double, something which they haven’t had the opportunity to do of late. The concert was well received by those in attendance, including Brigadier Mike Caldicott, Commandant of the Defence College of Logistics, Policing and Administration here in Worthy Down.
CHRISTMAS RECORDING
We have been incredibly fortunate this winter to have been able to record a Christmas CD with The RIFLES Regimental Headquarters (RHQ).
The recording has given us a good opportunity to spend some time in the practice room, honing our musical skills. The recording took place in the Light Division chapel at Sir John Moore Barracks over two days, and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all. As musicians, undertaking a recording is a challenging event as
the music lasts forever and we all feel immensely proud of the outcome. We hope you have had the opportunity to listen to the CD when it was released and that you enjoyed it.
54 RIFLES The Bugle
Worthy Down Remembrance Service
LCpl Java of the
Sjt Allen and the
Euphonium section
Remembrance services in November took on a more intimate feel with the lack of large events. It was the first year in many of our careers where we did not take part in
a formal service on Remembrance Sunday, and we certainly all missed it.
Buglers from the Bugle Platoon were sent to all corners of the country to sound Last Post. We were fortunate to be asked by the Commandant of our new site at the Defence College of Logistics, Policing and Administra- tion, Worthy Down, to take part in a service on the parade square. We formed up in front of the Royal Ordnance Corps memorial, which has remained in place whilst the renovations of Worthy Down took place, and performed
a selection of hymns before members of the Bugle Platoon sounded Last Post and Reveille as the whole camp stood silent. It was a sombre yet welcome opportunity for serving personnel across the Armed Forces to reflect on those that have served before them and the efforts that so many give today.
Bugle Platoon performs Last Post
THE BAND AND BUGLES OF THE RIFLES