National Service 4

Time went too quickly and in no time we were back at the barracks.  Unfortunately, another intake of soldiers had taken up all the beds so we just had to sleep on the floor. After an early breakfast we all lined up to begin the parade through the town again to catch the train. We moved by ship again and then by train – I remember we were pleased to get a meal on the train as it was about a 5 hour journey. Outside the station there was a large area full of buses and lorries ready to take us to the barracks. Once we were settled in most of the men had to go off to do more training in the tanks and vehicles but we in the band were happy just to carry on with the music making!

I fancied myself as a bit of a conductor on the side!

One of the main things I remember doing as the band in Germany was playing at several large horse shows. There were about 10 drummers including two large bass drums.  We would start rehearsing early in the morning before the crowds started to gather. On one occasion the drummers were practising all their fancy bits and they had to end up in a line facing the spectators and come to a stop all while still playing the drums. Unfortunately, one of the soldiers playing the big bass drum slid on the grass and fell backwards and the drum rolled right over him. The Sergeant Major was not very impressed!

The show went on for about three days and, luckily the barracks were only about 20 miles away so we could get back for some rest.  We had several shows to do on the run up to Christmas. As usual the top brass officers had their fancy meals and as usual a group of them would raise a glass to the band and they all wanted to have a go at playing the trumpet.  They couldn’t do it at the best of times and certainly not after a few drinks. Sometimes they’d be there until gone midnight and then they’d finally go wobbling out!

There was another barracks next door, surrounded by barbed wire netting.  The soldiers stationed there used tanks and large lorries to move massive lengths of metal which was used for bridge building. We often spied a tank being operated by one of the Royals – the Duke of somewhere, I forget. 

The bandsmen still had to work sometimes when the other soldiers were on exercise with other companies.  We also did things like swinging over water by rope, shooting dummies, rigging ropes on trees etc.

Soon it was Christmas again and the band was very busy playing for the officers who often had family and children with them. Traditionally at Christmas the officers would serve meals to the soldiers and I’m sure we were given a good long break of about a week and then it was back to work as usual.

We younger bandsmen were taken to work in the rifle store and then later to work with other ammunition whereas the older more experienced ones (30-50 years old) were let off by the bandmaster because he didn’t want them to get any injuries to their hands and fingers. Instead they were sent to the band room to spend the time supposedly sorting out the music.