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Stan P
Glasspole BEM 1923-1990
RMB/X 1080 Staff Bandmaster Served 1937-1963 SoM 1963-1988 |
Stanley Philip Glasspole was born on Saturday 24th February 1923 in Portsmouth, on the same day 'The Flying Scotsman' entered service. He was raised at their home in Sydenham Terrace along with his older brother Harry and older sister Elaine and younger sister Iris. Their parents.. Florence was a dressmaker and Henry.. a CSgt in the Royal Marines and a veteran of World War I, who served on HMS’s Iron Duke and Renown. Aged just fourteen,
young Stanley joined the Royal Naval School of Music at Deal as a Band
Boy on 3rd July 1937, he was a member of No. 61 Squad, under the instruction
of Sgt Higgins, who was the very first MTI (Military Training Instructor).
Stan auditioned on piano and was accepted as a flute and piano player.
The boys under training at the outbreak of World War II were assigned
with the chore of sandbagging East Barracks. Aside from learning music..
Stan recalled how the boys used to play tennis on the East Barracks
parade ground and football in the old graveyard. When WW2 hostilities
were over, Stan joined the Royal Marines Band CinC Malta, before gaining
promotion to BCpl at Burford in 1946 and a draft to the Royal Marines
Band at HMS Excellent, it was there that he was selected for Royal Yacht
duty and as a consequence, he formed a very good relationship with the
Director of Music, Vivian Dunn. Stan returned to the re-branded Royal Marines School of Music in 1951 as flute instructor, before he earned a place in the Bandmasters Class. Stan and Sheila became parents for the first time when their daughter Janet was born in August of that year. He was promoted to Bandmaster in 1952 and placed in charge of the Training Squadron Band onboard HMS Implacable then HMS Theseus, with Sgt Ben Finney as his support. The couple celebrated the arrival of a second daughter.. Margaret later in the year. In 1955, Stan was
assigned to the post of Quartermaster in the supply department at the
School of Music, a role he occupied for seven years. In 1957, Stan’s
involvement in the Sgts Mess Pantomimes began, firstly as an actor,
before getting more involved with writing and the production side of
things. The Globe Theatre was situated in North Barracks with a capacity
audience of up to four-hundred people. The shows raised much needed
funds for local charities and the Annual Children’s Christmas
Party in the Sergeants' Mess. The Glasspole family was extended further
in 1957 when their son Martyn came along. Stan developed a serious illness
before retiring from the Royal Marines Band Service as Staff Bandmaster
in 1963 and at the same time, he was awarded the British Empire Medal
in the 1963 Birthday honours list in recognition of his charitable work.
Following his retirement, Stan went on to spend another twenty-five
years in the instrument repair shop, becoming the first civilian to
occupy a role in the workshop. He was employed in East Barracks as a
woodwind Instrument Repairer, with amongst others.. Joe Guest, Wally
Walters and Pete Rose. 1968 Treasure Island Ian Quirke took
over from Stan for the 1990 production of Jock and the Beanstalk.. Stan
did assist Ian.. it was only natural ! Stan also provided edited scripts
for use by the CTC Sgts Mess where they performed at the Exmouth Pavilion
and latterly at the Barnfield Theatre in Exeter. Stan was also the Stage
Manager of the Depot Operatic Society. Stan did have his own pet charity
close to his heart, ‘The Pilgrims Hospice’ in Canterbury. Stanley Glasspole sadly passed away early on 5th June 1990 aged 67 as a result of a heart attack. His funeral service was held at the Depot Church of St Michael and All Angels in South Barracks and accompanied by music by the Royal Marines Band. Stan’s good friend and former WO2 Bandmaster Terry Williams paid tribute with the eulogy, before the cortège departed for a private ommittal at Barham Crematorium. RIP Stan |