The Mayor of Gosport, Councillor June Cully has accepted on behalf of the Council an historic drum which will be displayed in the Mayors ante room, outside the Mayors Parlour.
The drum, which is unique, was presented to the Mayor in recognition of the close association between the Council and the Royal Marine Light Infantry Cadet Marching Band (RMLICMB) a group of talented young musicians aged between 8 -18 who have played and entertained at many Civic and ceremonial events during their 27 year history.
When they disbanded last year most of their equipment was sold off and the money given to the War Memorial Hospital, the town’s war memorial to the First World War, built and paid for partly by subscriptions from the Royal Marines who served in the town.
However, the drum which is so unique has been handed over to the Council so that it can be displayed and enjoyed by the people of the town.
The drum was initially presented to the Royal Marines Light Infantry Cadet Marching Band by their former President (now deceased) Major Halliday MBE, who as well as being President of the RLICMB, was also troop Commander of Baker Troop.
After the dissolution of Baker Troop, members kept in contact and met annually and as a way of preserving that union, they presented the drum, which is adorned with Battle Honours of 46 Commando and the Cipher of King George VI, to the RMLICMB Cadets.
Since receiving the drum the Cadets have played it at many prestigious events during their 27 year history including those held in America, Germany, France, and even when they once headed up the Festival of Flowers in Jersey.
Several of the Cadets drummers were of such an exceptional skill level they went on to become members of The Band of the Royal Marines proper.
Presenting the drum to the Mayor were Reg Coates, who founded the RMLICMB back in 1979 and who was Commanding Officer for ten years and, Trevor Lewis who was Director of Music and who took over the role of Commanding Officer on Reg’s retirement.
“I initially started the Gosport troop because my son Wayne, then around 9 years old, used to have to attend Eastney Barracks for cadets,” said Reg. “Whilst travelling to and fro and dressed in his uniform he was getting picked on so I decided to go about setting up a Gosport group so he didn’t have to make the journey to Portsmouth. It was hard work at the beginning getting the uniforms and instruments together, but we had some really supportive parents and some great kids. Hundreds have come and gone but I should think at the height of the Band we had around 70 young musicians playing at any one time.”
Sadly in the last few years the numbers had dwindled. Problems in finding a suitable place to meet and store equipment made practices difficult and with youngsters having interests in other areas, the numbers attending dropped too low for the Band to continue.
“I have had many proud moments with the band but I think the one that will stick in my memory will be when they played at The Royal Tournament, something we did on about 4 occasions,” added Reg. “They were great kids who behaved well, were magnificent musicians and very proud to represent their town. It is only right that the last and most unique drum the Unit held should now rest in the heart of the Borough, right here in the Town Hall.”
Accepting the drum on behalf of the Council, the Mayor, Councillor June Cully, who stands down as first lady on Wednesday said, “It gives me great pleasure to accept this magnificent instrument and I will ensure that it is displayed so that its beauty and history can be enjoyed by many in years to come.”
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