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Message Number: 3115 - Wed, Mar 6, 2024 11:48:56
[IP = 81.147.186.187] -
Posted From: united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland
Name:  John Ware
Service Number:  RMB 3791
Hometown:  Callington
Instrument/s:  Flute/Piano
Comments:

Very sad to hear the news of Col Paul Neville's passing. He was a great inspiration and mentor to me as my boss, first of all when he was DOM(T) and I was a young L/Cpl Instructor in the School and later when, as a Band Sergeant, I was appointed as his Secretary and PA for the two years prior to my selection for a commission. I have many memories of our time together but one stands out. It was, I believe, in 1977, the year of the Silver Jubilee, that the Massed Bands were performing at the Royal Tournament. He, of course, was PDM and I was a young Lt DOM of the FONAC Band. The Slow March for the Band Display was "Sailing" in Ravel's "Bolero" style with the Bands entering the Arena in total darkness apart from a UV spotlight, playing very quietly. On the occasion of the attendance of H.M. the Queen, I was standing next to the PDM in the presentation line after the performance. She approached Col Paul and asked him, "Why do you put 250 musicians in the arena and make them play quietly?" Because, Ma'am," he replied, " anyone can put 250 musicians in an arena and make them play loudly."

Brilliant!!!

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Message Number: 3114 - Wed, Mar 6, 2024 01:54:28
[IP = 79.147.8.161] -
Posted From: spain
Name:  Michael Hickman
Service Number:  RMB 34382
Hometown:  Roquetas de Mar
Instrument/s:  Bass Trombone
Comments:

Greetings to all! Seem to have been away so long hope this finds you and yours well.

So sad reading of the passing of PDM Paul Neville. He was a gent and well respected by all, I never actually served with him but like most, many concerts etc during his time as PDM. Yes Michael you are correct he did take the very first concert after the bombing it was at the Winter Gardens in Margate as were a few others. I remember the first one those of us taking all turned up at the Concert Hall in East Barracks one Sunday morning to rehearse with Paul and think we only did the one.

My most sincere condolences to his family and to all who like me had the pleasure to know and serve with him,

PDM PAUL NEVILLE RIP

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Message Number: 3113 - Mon, Mar 4, 2024 08:48:25
[IP = 86.169.126.209] -
Posted From: united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland
Name:  Michael Hutton
Service Number:  RMBX2638
Hometown:  NEWBURY
Instrument/s:  Euph & Cello
Comments:

Many of us older members will have memories of Colonel Paul Neville, he of course took on the job of PDM after Sir Vivian had reigned for too many years.....I regret that I wasnt there to witness his time as PDM having left to take on music in other fields, even though Paul had tried to persuade me to stay in the Band Service ! However he left his mark on our great Band Service which Im sure will be told by others who served with him as PDM. My memories are of former years when he was a fine misician Cpl through to Bandmaster with great influence thoughout the Band Service especially in the Dance Band days when the Oceanaires were one of the top Dance Bands of that era. Finally if my memory is correct he was the first conductor of the 'ALL STARS' that great bunch of ex bandies who gave up their time to entertain the troops in Margate and make loads of money for charities....many of them are no longer with us..........Farewell Paul..we will all meet up in that great band in the Sky.....Michael.

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Message Number: 3112 - Mon, Mar 4, 2024 05:57:09
[IP = 92.30.41.93] -
Posted From: united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland
Name:  Paul Collett
Service Number:  RMB3827
Hometown:  WIMBORNE
Instrument/s:  Basses
Comments:

So sorry to hear of the passing of Paul Neville.

He will be missed by many of my generation not only as a fine musician but a gentleman as well

RIP

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Message Number: 3111 - Wed, Feb 28, 2024 04:08:51
[IP = 90.205.224.143] -
Posted From: united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland
Name:  Billy Walker
Service Number:  RMB4336
Hometown:  Great Mongeham
Instrument/s:  Horn
Comments:

Very saddened to hear of the passing of Bert Farlow. He was the DOM of Commando Forces Band Plymouth from 1977-1982, culminating in his retirement from the RMBS. He was a superb Boss and as so many others have already said, a real Gentleman. Bert and I performed 'Spanish Horns' at his dining out in the Officers' Mess Stonehouse Barracks, the first time he'd picked up his Horn in many years!

In Honoured Remembrance, thank you for the memories.

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Message Number: 3110 - Tue, Feb 27, 2024 08:58:28
[IP = 86.189.185.100] -
Posted From: united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland
Name:  Barry Radford
Service Number:  RMB3507
Hometown:  Meols. Wirral
Instrument/s:  Euph and Cello
Comments:

Dear Richard

I like many others are sad to read that Bert Farlow has crossed the bar. Bert was my Bandmaster 1963 -1965 . Firstly on HMS Belfast then we moved to HMS Pembroke Home Fleet Band. What a gentleman Bert was it was an honour and my privilege to serve with Bert.

RIP Bert many happy memories

Barry

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Message Number: 3109 - Tue, Feb 27, 2024 07:46:04
[IP = 81.140.238.139] -
Posted From: united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland
Name:  Michael Hutton
Service Number:  RMBX2638
Hometown:  NEWBURY
Instrument/s:  Resting
Comments:

Sad news to see the loss of Bert Farlow, yet again another great member of our famous Band Service. When I joined way back in 49 ! Bert was the senior boy and Dave Elliot the Section Leader, and they were the two guys who were to show us the ropes during that first very cold winter. Over those first few months both Dave and Bert were invaluable in helping all of us new guys how to cope with life in the RNSM as it was called then. Farewell Bert.. Look forward to seeing you both in the countermarch. Michael.

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Message Number: 3108 - Tue, Feb 27, 2024 06:04:27
[IP = 79.79.145.10] -
Posted From: united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland
Name:  Bill Hartland
Service Number:  RMB/X3050
Hometown:  Congresbury
Instrument/s:  Solo Clart
Comments:

Very sorry to read of the passing of Bert Farlow, who passed me for my M3 in the Heads of the Band in HMS Drake.

Another Gent has left the Stage?

Kind regards


Bill

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Message Number: 3107 - Mon, Feb 19, 2024 02:42:59
[IP = 81.140.238.139] -
Posted From: united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland
Name:  Michael Hutton
Service Number:  rmbx2638
Hometown:  NEWBURY
Instrument/s:  resting
Comments:

Hi Roger, that's good news...If I give you my mobile number perhaps we could organise a way to obtain both recordings.. Many thanks Michael..

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Message Number: 3106 - Sun, Feb 18, 2024 04:24:15
[IP = 5.69.185.144] -
Posted From: united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland
Name:  Roger Philip Smith
Service Number:  RMB 3597
Hometown:  Ripple, Deal
Instrument/s:  Solo Clarinet
Comments:

Hi Michael,

I was solo clarinet with Derick Holder on the Guildford gig and just happen to have two copies of the record "Pomp & Circumstance". I also have two copies of "The Royal Marines play Sousa". If you need that one as well. That was done with "Fred" about the same time.

I will always remember the Guildford gig as on the way home I didn't feel well. The next day the Doc. said "Mumps! take three weeks off". I reported to you in the band office, you kept your distance and said take an extra week off!!! Do you remember? Cricket balls always come to mind!

All the best to all, That are left.

Roger Smith

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