Jon Ridley

Seventy years ago today as a 17 year old boy musician I was a member of the Royal Marines Band from Deal marching in the Coronation procession through the streets of London. Today I joyously celebrate another special event and that is the inclusion in Her Majesty’s Honours List of Jon Ridley. His career, when our PDM, was ended when he had to be medically discharged from the Corps. Knowing of his disappointment in having his career curtailed so cruelly this Award must surely awaken him to the fact that his sustained devotion to the RMBS is greatly valued and has now rightly been recognised. I send him my sincere heartfelt congratulations and best wishes. He will be warmed by knowing that the significance of his time in the Band Service, although sadly curtailed, is remembered by us all and now rightly recognised by HM the Queen.

Graham Hoskins