I am delighted to report that a necessary and long awaited plaque telling the public what is beyond the splendid wrought iron gates of the Memorial Garden in Walmer and has been unveiled by the Town Mayor.

Construction and erection of the plaque was paid for by the Deal Memorial Bandstand Trust, courtesy of its Chairman Former Bandmaster Derek Lindars. I attach a picture of the moment the plaque was revealed. It compliments the David Yates’ plaque that adorns the inner memorial area and has added much ambience to the site that has now become a National memorial for all Band Service personnel lost over the years and not only those who died in the 1989 IRA Bombing for whom the Memorial Bandstand is their lasting tribute.

Graham Hoskins

The Royal Marines Band Service Memorial Garden is a tranquil and peaceful place somewhat tucked away off Canada Road in Walmer. My wife Margaret has lovingly tended the garden over the years since it was established and together with Bob Simmonds’ widow places fresh flowers against the memorial stone every week. Thanks to David Yates’ splendidly positioned plaque marking the place where an IRA bomb exploded in 1989 it is obvious what the area represents once the viewer is within its wrought iron gates.

However some outer sign that would catch the eyes of passing visitors and former Band Service colleagues has been missing. Through the kindness of Derek Lindars, Chairman of the Deal Memorial Bandstand Trust whose Committee has agreed to fund the costs, a welcoming outer plaque has been commissioned and was erected today. It compliments David’s very detailed inner plaque and raises the very real importance of the Garden to us all. Quite exceptionally the new plaque has been constructed by Mr Roger Knight’s local Signage Company. Roger’s father was a Royal Marines Bandsman who was killed in WW2 when his ship was sunk in the Mediterranean sea. Today’s Garden is maintained in memory of all of our fallen comrades not only those whose lives were taken at this spot by the IRA in 1989. The attached pictures will surely bring joy to both uniformed and retired colleagues as we think of our forebears. I, for one, am delighted with this. Graham.

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For your interest this picture of Roger Knight was taken this morning [26/3/25] after he had installed his created plaque on the outer wall of the memorial garden in Walmer. Now a valued friend for us all. With continued warm regards. Graham.