H.N. Groom 1944-47 Band at King's House Gates. Royal Visit-March,1947. ROYAL VISIT.IfI recall correctly,our CadetCorps was affiliated atthattime tothe NatalField Artillery and the latter were advised that they were to mount the first guard at Kings House. Since they had no band of their own we were requested to provide the music for their march from Jameson Park to Kings House;and the Royal Salute at the Entrance Gates as the Royal Family drove through. All this we heard when term began in January, 1947. Excitement and apprehension ran high as we had only six weeks to prepare for the momentous event. The Band had won second place at the Southern Districts Competition the previous September but we had suffered heavy losses at the end of the year. So recruitment of a Bass Drummer,at leasttwo side drummersand perhaps halfour establishment of buglers was given top priority. This done, Hillary Ritz (Sergeant Bugler) and Howard Lund (Sergeant Drumrner) and I, drew up,with the help ofCaptain G.M.Oram,an extremely onerous timetable oftraining and practice. With such a tremendous event to goad us on, every man responded like a hero, so that on the day that we formed up at Jameson Park,the chaps were performing like veterans. I shall never forget that day-hot and sunny-typical March weather. Tension was high and the streets lined with people as we led the column to Kings House. Asour confidence grew the flourishes began to appear.Still new at handling a Maceinstead ofthe Bass Drum,I eventually summoned up enough courage to hurl my Mace into the air from the back ofone hand-to be caught in the other.One bold venture nearly ended in disaster when the Mace teetered on a cross-wire high above the street! Anyway,we made it! It was a great moment when Mr.Oram called us to attention as the Royal Eamily swept past in their open Daimler to the rare notes of the Royal Salute. The en closed photograph shows us moments before the Royal Eamily arrived. CADET BAND.With the confidence engendered by this experience we determined to go all out for the coveted Silver Bugle. Any tendency at complacency was quickly dispelled when we heard from our much admired coaches Messrs. Edwards and Inglis how hard the other bands were working to win. Through the coming monthsourgrim determination turned to an almostreckless abandon as we strove towards an excellence which was, we hoped, to be but the best ever. Style and showmanship in every facet of our work became prominent and the esprit de corps was something to remember. In fact, the Band gave a virtuoso performance and won - no thanks to its Drum Major and two or three of its buglers who were stricken by measles and had to be replaced six days before the competition. All praise to acting Drum Major Mike Eastwood who stepped in vir tually at a week's notice. I seem to remember that at least one ofthe replacement buglers was was silent and was hastily press-ganged into the team on the grounds of his smartness and drill excellence only. Later that year the crocks rejoined the Band and all travelled to Vryheid to give a demon stration at the Northern Districts Competition. MANOEUVRES.During 1944and 1945we had separate day and nightCadet Manoeuvres. T.n POST OFFICE TELEGRAPHS.-POSKANTOOR-TELEGRAAFDIENS. T Trra:# of u fia nJvivr«r.g ! General Smuts at Kearsney, 24th August,1945. Telegram from the Prime Minister, 1945. 44 So'vFs# Ifjslojt'E Iftl# Dd-sr t'nftiitios srii jS ic 'thl^ for® 'htut! v d s« "CFL n tord &A 'a M.M tlte sE twl 1 ■- ■ - - psny ftd.y
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