There will be many words written about the recent mini reunion in South Australia, so let me simply say that, when two ex Royal Marine Bandsmen get together its normally a run ashore, when twenty appear all at once you know that some thing is about to happen! For months now a stirring was underfoot with the knowledge that Bob Chumley and Eric Hayward were arranging what was to turn out be the event of the year for.....

November 30th 2006 arriving at Adelaide airport there was a welcoming committee of Tom, Barrie, Bob, Eric and Ray along with wives, which, was to be the start of chat like you have never heard before! Joe, Max, Mike and Ken had arrived, and were then taken to their respective 'digs' for the duration. The Friday night we all met at Watermark Hotel for a general get together and among the hubbub were heard shrieks of laughter as old ships and acquaintances were reunited, and tales of yesteryear were shared. Many Tournaments, Lord Mayor’s show, Albert Hall, various concerts, soccer matches, and Beat Retreats were all treated to the same, as mess deck tales were related. The reunion had therefore got off to a flyer.

Come Saturday the formal part of the event was held on HMS Buffalo, I note that much has been written about this old boat by Tommo in his last essay on the 05 get together, so will not go on. We were all crowded in to the main dining room, wives, sweethearts, friends alike, and were treated to a wonderful meal including Steak! By the kilo! Then of course the toasts were proposed, and the inevitable speeches followed, it was with something special that Tom delivered in the saga of the sinking of the Trinidad during the war and the loss of so many of our colleagues, and the survival of perhaps the most famous of all British Composers in George Lloyd, who can understand the trauma that that musician went through, and survived to tell the tale, of course being of Cornish parentage helped, together with the RMB tag.

You were not forgotten my friends, as "absent friends" were recognised, and best of all a date was set for the next re union being March of 2008, so without further ado I would encourage you all to start saving those gig pennies and consider a holiday in the sun, at the end of the Northern winter. “End of commercials” as the saying goes ‘Where the b***** hell are you?

Sunday morning after church, all roads led to the Chumleys in Montana Drive, where a BBQ was to be held, never before in the field of human eating have so many steaks sausages and patties been eaten by so few! Along with plenty of the amber liquid to quaff, what better way to say farewell to all and sundry after what was the second of what will become the most talked about get together of Australian bandsmen for years to come. Sadly we said goodbye to Tommo and his daughter who had to fly back to Melbourne for work on Monday morning, Jan and Hilde were not available, as a planned boat trip took precedence, and Barrie went AWOL! Mike Hutton and Ken Kelly left us to drive to Melbourne in their hire car, and then on to UK in time for Mike to report back to Dickie V, and Ken to continue with the school band. It was so good to see Eric and Ray back on their feet after a year of hospital visits etc, and nursed back to full health by there own Jan and Pat. Joe's case was located and returned after it went missing at the Airport, and all this time England were having their troubles at Adelaide Oval.

Sightseeing was on the menu for some and a requirement for all cricket lovers would be a tour of the Bradman museum, shopping in Adelaide’s CBD at this time of year is really nice with all the Christmas decorations on view, but I for one can't reconcile Christmas in 33 degree heat. However, the reunion all but over we sadly, and with some emotion, left Australia knowing that in 2008 we will all be welcomed back by the lovely Carol, Jan and the rest of the wives who enjoyed their time with us in the band room. Monday morning Joe and I arranged a river trip on the Murray, and Tuesday we had a day with Tom and Marge Lambert, all too short but we relived our Yacht times and reminisced old times, and being British cheered on the English cricket team to no avail. Oh dear! So then, till my next report in 08, I will sign off, with many happy memories of a weekend that will be remembered forever.

Do come and join us.

Bernard S Maxie Beare
Silverdale 8th December 06

HMS Buffalo
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Dining
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Groups
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16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25

Threes
26	27	28	29	30
31	32	33	34	35
36	37

Kitchen Staff
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