Romford Drum and Trumpet Corps

Memories from a Founder Member

Being a founder member of the band over 50yrs ago I have many happy memories to recal, so where do I start.

At the beginning I suppose. Dick had borrowed £100 and scraped together a few instruments. The next thing we needed were uniforms. There were about 12 of us at the time and I remember him saying that we were going to an army and navy surplus store in Aldgate (East London) to be fitted with uniforms (notice the word NEW is not included.).

Eager to get started,we were all very excited when we arrived at the store. We were directed downstairs to a basement room. It was filled from floor to ceiling with various ex-army, navy and airforce uniforms that smelled of must and mothballs. Bearing in mind this was in the 1950s these were probably left over from the second world war(or maybe the first)

Still very excited we were instructed by Mr B. to find tunics and trousers to fit. We dived into the smelly pile with the enthusiasm of kids opening presents at Christmas. Trying this one and that. I was a short skinny 13yr old so even the smallest tunic wrapped around me at least twice and the trousers would have fitted Giant Haystacks (anyone remember him?)

Arriving home and feeling very pleased with my find I presented the bundle to my Mum. “Whats this?” she asked. "Its my uniform" I replied "Yours? Or the whole bands? You'll get them all in here" she said. In no time at all she had magically transformed a smelly giant sized secondhand suit, into a smart sparkling uniform that fitted me perfectly. Well that's how it felt at the time. I wore it time and time again to all the events that were to follow and there were many, some important some not so important, but every one most enjoyable.

I was interested in Ian Bennett's (I remember him!) article when he mentioned the trip to Calais. I went on that trip too. We sailed across the Channel from Southend Pier on the The Royal Sovereign or it might have been the Royal Daffodil. I can remember in typical Dick Bouchard fashion that he got us to play a few tunes for the rest of the passengers (he never missed an opportunity to show us off!). When we arrived at Calais the French TV cameras were waiting for us on the quayside, once again Dick had primed them of our arrival. Unfortunately something had got confused during the interpretation of the story of the Band. Due to Dick's prior connection with the British Legion we had been presented to the local public as a boy's band composed of British War Orphans! However, it had an amazing effect because as we formed up and marched and played our way to our accommodation (a girl's college) passers by clapped us enthusiastically but we could not understand why some of them were crying. It became obvious it was because of what they had heard or read from the local media. After that we could not go wrong!

We were invited to visit the war graves at Bleriot. I remember marching all the way there sometimes playing tunes from our repertoire but also singing as we marched. We sang songs like "It's a long way to Tipperary! and "Pack up your troubles". Once again the effect was quite amazing with people standing outside their homes, applauding and wiping tears from their eyes. At the cemetery a small crowd had gathered and we performed a remembrance ceremony which included "Beating the retreat", "Drummers Click Sticks", the tune "Early one morning" and not forgetting the "Last Poste" needless to say this was received very warmly by the Mayor and residents of Bleriot. That ceremony was retained in our repertoire. It did not have a name but was known for everafter as "The Calais Bit".

The Mayor had laid on a meal for us in the village. It was normal in France in those days for children to drink beer and there it was on the table waiting for us. Not wanting to offend the Mayor we were all allowed to drink it! Needless to say some of us got a little tipsy. The problem was we were asked to play again after our meal. The music sounded great to me but what did I know I was drunk at the time.

A couple of weeks ago, my wife Linda and I drove through the Kent village of Beneden. It reminded me of the day when we performed for the patients of Beneden Sanatorium. It was a respite home for GPO employees (I think). On the way home, our bus got held up because of a local carnival. Struck by how quiet the carnival was, Mr B realised there was no band in the carnival! The next thing we knew we were leading the carnival and it had livened up no end, typical of old Bouchard again. The Band was £5 better off and the carnival organisers were well pleased. I think that £5 paid for the hire of the bus.. These are just a few of the very happy memories I have of my time with the Band. I could go on and on with many more but I wont.

I would just like to say well done Paul and Dick for the wonderful progress you have made with the Band - even without me!! - and thanks for the wonderful memories.

Richard Rumsey