THE GOLDONIAN
2nd COY. 1st "C" BATTALION.
 HERTfordshire  REGIMENT. A.C.F

CORPS OF DRUMS NOTES

There seem to be many Cadets anxious to join the Band and I would like to start these notes by saying that it is not easy, for there is more to it than just banging a drum or blowing a bugle. This is not meant to discourage would-be bandsmen but to say that the Band have to be extra smart and ready to put on a good display whenever called upon. The Band has a very high standard to maintain and they are often in the public eye.

We are fortunate in having young Cadets who are keen and ready to take the place of the, older boys as their turn to leave us has come. Also we have not had the excellent services of Lieut. Walkling since last August and it says much for the Band that they have carried on the standard of our ex-Band Cadets.

The Band attended the Empire Youth Sunday parade on the 17th May and led the A.C.F. and various other Youth Organisations through the town and to Church. After the service the Band led the procession to the car park. Their services were greatly appreciated and the press took photographs of the parade.

The Band gave a display at Vale House, Hertford, on the 30th May, and C.S.M. Fox did the duties of Drum Major very successfully owing to Drum-Major Woods being sick.

On Sunday 31st May, the Band led the A.C.F. parade to Church at Cheshunt and again C.S.M. Fox was complimented on his bearing as Drum-Major.

The Band had a busy time on Coronation Day, 2nd June. In the morning they played the Company to Hertford and then led the procession to the Civic service in the Castle grounds. At 6 o'clock in the evening the Band gave two displays of counter

marching and Beating the Retreat to the patients at the Ware Sanatorium. They were very well received and gave a wonderful show in spite of the poor weather. At 9 p.m. the Band attempted to give a display of marching and Beating the Retreat but only a short performance could be given owing to the rain.

On Wednesday, 31^st June, the Band gave a display at Buntingford which was highly praised and although the weather was, poor many people saw the display and cheered the boys at the end of the performance.

The high-light of the Band was on Saturday, 6th June, when the Band went to Wheathampstead to play the carnival procession through the town and give a display of figure-marching and Beating the Retreat! At the end of the performance the Band was presented with a large Union Jack flag in appreciation of the splendid show.

The Band attended the fete at Bengeo and played the procession through the streets on the 13^th June. Afterwards the Band gave two displays; one at 15:00Hrs and one at 17:00Hrs  This was a very good turn-out and the boys gave of their best as usual.

The Band will be on duty at the Annual Battalion Inspection on the 28^th June and at St. Margaret's on the 4^th July.

A. P. CULVER, Captain O.I.C.

From Company notes The Goldonian Summer 1953