Tom
Lambert |
My
Dear Richard,
Following a wonderful mini-reunion early in the year it had been decided
to repeat the dosage which led to an even better event, 10, 11, and 12
November, 05. Attending were, X3195 Bob Chumley, 3165 Ray Taylor, X2840
Barrie Baker, 3776 Gary Brownrigg, X2231 Joe Simms, X2234 Max
Beare, (click HERE for his own account)
X1927 Allan Bulley, X3338 Tony Oberdries, X3051 Eric Hayward, X1863 Tom
Lambert and Michael Thompson. (Click HERE
for his account) Numbers are given so that a guess may be made as to the
period of service. Ranks omitted. Also attended, Major Bill Billett, who
joined as a Junior Musician, switched to General Service, won the Kings
Badge and later joined the Australian SAS.
We met first for a photo-opportunity on a freezing Friday morning, which
concluded with a temporary embarkation in HMS Buffalo, a properly designed
replica of a British Warship c.1850s. Coffee was served and the lamps
started to swing. Who said coincidences were always rigged. A couple sitting
very close to us stopped Maxie Beare as we left and asked if we really
were a group of ex Royal Marine Bandsmen. She, it turned out, was the
sister in law of Bandmaster Ken Keast, known to almost all of us for one
reason or another. Extraordinary! That evening we all met in what must
be one of the best bistros in the world, where you "pays yer money
and takes yer choice", time and time again, and the quality of the
tucker was as high as you would want. Needless to say, though the teeth
never stopped chomping, the tongues never stopped wagging either.
The
following day was rather special. We were all piped over the side of HMS
Buffalo, courtesy of a very smart cadets side party. By now, the weather
had turned around to become a typical Adelaide early summer day. We had
drinks on the upper deck then lunch in the restaurant. No "Cooks"
duties for anyone on this occasion, excellent food and service and still
the tongues wagged. As one would expect there were several
break-away groups in the evening but most people were happy to have a
rest and prepare for the final day. This was a sea-food day at the aforesaid
Bistro.
The
day was brought to a close with a few quiet glasses at my house. What
a marvelous experience it had been and in our "wash-up" we determined
to repeat the process next year at the same time, that is to say 17th,
18th, 19th November. Anyone contemplating coming to Australia for any
reason please hoist in those dates and see if it is possible to work your
visit around them.
Tom Lambert
PS:
Eric Hayward and Bob Chumley are the two great mainstays who made this
all come together. Thank you both for creating memories, great times and
the template for the next time.
Photo
album courtesy of Maxie Beare
[Click on thumbnails for full size]
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