It is with great sadness that I inform you of the peaceful passing of my father Dennis Charles Hartley, Ex Royal Marine Bandmaster, RMB X 717 on Tuesday 30th November 2004 at the age of 85 years. Dad joined the Royal Naval School of Music in October 1934 as a band boy, his 15th birthday being September 29th 1934.

His service record shows he joined H.M.S. Dorsetshire in August 1937 as a band boy leaving June 1941 as a Musician. Dad was stationed at H.M.S. Cabot in Bristol from August 1941 until April 1942 in which time he met my mother who was serving as a WREN Steward. Dad also served on various ships including the Sirius May 1942 - July 1944, when he married my mother at West Cliff On Sea, also on H.M.S. Mauritius and H.M.S. Liverpool.

He left the Royal Marines in August 1959, when he moved with my mother and their seven children to a village named Chilcompton in between Bath and Wells in the then County of Somerset, to a position at Downside Public School in near by Stratton on the Fosse teaching music and musical instruments where he worked until his retirement in 1982.

During his time in the village he set up the local Ladies Choir and ran this for 18 years as well as part time teaching at local comprehensive schools where he ran school bands and taught wind instruments to many children.

He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

Please let me know if you would like anymore information on his life.

Kind regards,

Alan Hartley (number 6 of 7).