Royal Marines Bandsman

[Guest debrastone]

I am trying to find out more about the role of the RM Bandsmen from 1914 to 1922. Can anyone suggest any books or web sites that may be helpful. Help greatly appreciated.

[HERITAGE PLUS]

Debra

You will find some basic background info on The RM Band Service here:

http://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk/history/historyIndex.htm

Dave

[Jonathan Saunders]

There are a couple of references to WW1 RM Band activities in John Ambler's THE ROYAL MARINES BAND SERVICE - still availabale in print. Also Blumberg's ROYAL MARINES IN THE WAR OF 1914-1918 (but you will need a good reference library unless you have about £300 and know of a copy for sale).

The RM Band were at Antwerp in 1914 as I recall and I think they were under a Bandmaster Fairservice and they were attached to a RN RND Battalion - I think it was possibly the ANSON Battalion but this is all from memory so not clear how accurate I am in stating this.

Again I think I am right in saying another book LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVE has a list of all RM Band deaths during 1914-1919. Might still be available from the RM Musuem at Eastney.