A few years after leaving the service, somewhat to my surprise I again became heavily involved with it - but this time only indirectly. A group of serving bandsmen - one of them commissioned - called at our house one day and brought me up to date on what had been happening to and with the RNSM Memorial Trumpets and Banners. It transpired that in the few years since their dedication, the banners (bearing the inscription R.N.S.M) had become worn out and in need of replacement. During that period the RM Band Service had undergone an 'enharmonic but highly significant change' from being known as the Royal Naval School of Music to Royal Marines School of Music and had recently come under the control of the redoubtable Vivian Dunn. It is quite understandable that someone who had had little connection with the original Royal Naval School of Music and now found himself in the position of musical head of the Royal Marines, should wish things to be (in his opinion) brought up to date. However, at the end of the war, all serving members of the RNSM had subscribed a day's pay towards the purchase of a War Memorial to the sacred Memory of all those bandsmen who had died during the recently suffered world war - and who had fought and died, under the emblem of the 'fouled anchor' of the old Royal Naval School of Music. It was now proposed that the dedicated and consecrated banners of the memorial fanfare trumpets, which formed an integral and extremely visible manifestation of that memorial, should be replaced and changed to read 'Royal Marines Band Service'.

(Above) The official photograph of the Ceremony of the 'Dedication of the Royal Naval School of Music War Memorial 1939- 45' It was held at the then home of the RNSM, Burford. Oxfordshire on the 1st June 1948

The delegation who came to see me, were incensed at this proposed desecration and wanted me to help them to organise a protest against it. Understandably, as they were all still-serving members of the RMB they were not in a position to make a meaningful protest without its having overtones of mutiny. In addition, even when released on pension - they would still be liable for recall in the event of any further conflict (as in the case of the recent Korean war.) On the other hand, I was no longer under any sort of obligation to the 'authorities' and was also totally in agreement with what we all felt to be an outrage. I therefore became the figurehead of an orchestrated campaign which involved circularising all known ex-RNSM personnel (it's probably better I don't mention how we acquired their names and addresses), protesting directly to the Admiralty and to many other interested and influential personages such as ex-Commandants' General and the Chaplain of the Fleet.

The initial response from the Admiralty was, of course, an attempt at a 'brush-off', stating that it was only right that the replacement banners should be brought up-to-date. I replied by enquiring if in that case, due to the continuing economy-induced amalgamations and reorganisations occurring throughout the armed services, we could expect to see an army of stonemasons and demolition workers touring the country altering or demolishing every original stone war memorial in the country in order to represent the latest regimental affiliations and, if subsequent alterations were made, that they would be liable to still further alteration? There was a longer pause before the next reply and by then our 'round-robin' petition forms were returning home to nest, overwhelmingly objecting to the proposed change.

To cut a long story short, the Board of Admiralty finally decreed that the War Memorial trumpets and banners be 'laid up' in the Barracks Church at Deal. Which brings me to my last but by no means least concern about the RNSM War Memorial. During a visit made (now in the last century!) to the RM Museum at Eastney I discovered to my distress that the memorial trumpets and banners together with inscribed drums had, been lumped together with such items as 'tailors dummies' dressed as R.M's during the Falklands' Yomp', and were residing in a somewhat dusty display case. They had in fact, become just one more museum exhibit. I sincerely hope that this situation has changed and that the memorial (in its entirety) has now been housed in some cathedral or church, as have the laid-up banners and memorials of so many other branches of the armed services. Due to distance I don't have any more recent news of the memorial. I would also be most interested to know where the 'Book of Remembrance' that was so important an integral part of the War Memorial is now lodged?

I am aware that the church of St. Michael and All Angels at Deal no longer exists, but to my way of thinking, such treatment of a consecrated and dedicated memorial not only amounts to desecration and sacrilege, but is also an insult to the memory of the 224 of our RNSM comrades who died during the Second World War (a large proportion of a relatively small unit). Speaking only for myself, I would like to think that there are sufficient caring ex-RNSM bandsmen (particularly those living in Britain) who will, if still necessary, take up the cause and demand that a more fitting resting place for our War Memorial, be found.

Finally finally(!), I have much enjoyed delving back into my memories, aided by some sparse diaries and notes and I am most grateful to all those of you who have sent me encouraging comments, identifications of faces, useful suggestions and messages of appreciation. I hope that my efforts will encourage others to try their hand at sending in their particular memories; the world of the RMB, as seen from their own point of view. There are very many more interesting RMB stories out there than I have been able to relate. In particular I would also like to thank Richard Valentine for his encouragement with these articles and to wish him continuing success in keeping this vital and extremely professional web-site going. Finally, my best wishes to all RM (and RNSM) Bandsmen, past, present and future.

Don Flounders
Ex-RMBx 2175
Warragul.
Australia.