Director of Music

Major Douglas Robertson joined the Army in September 1972 as a trombonist in the Argll & Sutherland Highlanders. After basic training at the Scottish Infantry Depot, Aberdeen, he spent a further 3 years at the Scots Division Junior School of Music in Edinburgh. In October 1976 having completed a one year course of studies at the Royal Military School of Music (RMSM), Kneller Hall, he joined his Regiment in Osnabruck in Germany.  Having served in Germany, UK and Cyprus with his Band, Major Robertson was posted from Cyprus to the Scots Division Junior School of Music, Aberdeen in 1983 as an Instructor. It was during his time here that he was selected to attend the 3 year Student Bandmasters' Course at RMSM in January 1985.

Appointed Bandmaster of the King's Regiment in August 1988 he joined the Band in Spandau, Berlin, serving throughout the demise of the Berlin Wall.  While with the Band Major Robertson toured Northern Ireland, Canada and the Falkland Islands. In 1994 he saw through the demise of the King's Regimental Band and the setting up of the new King's Division Waterloo Band. Later that year he was commissioned and appointed Director of Music Gurkha Band in Church Crookham. In his time there he toured Australia, Europe for 6 months, Hong Kong, to close the Gurkha lines in the New Territories and Gibraltar. Prior to handing over after 2½ years Major Robertson trekked for a month in East and West Nepal and in the foothills of the Himalayas.

In May 1997 came the appointment as Director of Music Royal Tank Regiment Band based in Fallingbostel. As one of only 3 bands serving the whole of Germany, the Band travelled extensively throughout Europe from Calais in the west, to the Polish border and from Kiel in the north, to the Low Countries.

In January 1999 Maj Robertson was appointed Director of Music the Band of the Blues and Royals Regiment in Windsor. He commenced the B3 Mounted Dutymans' Equitation Course in Windsor with the Household Cavalry Training Wing and completed the 'Kit Ride' phase of the course in late March in Knightsbridge, London.

During his 7½ years with the Band he took part in the Capital's state Ceremonial events, namely The Queen's Birthday Parade, Mounted Beating of The Retreats on Horse Guards, Mounted Lord Mayor's Parades, All The Queen's Horses at Home Park, Windsor Castle, The Queen Mother's 100^th Birthday Parade on Horse Guards and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Procession.

In June 2006 after his last Queen's Birthday Parade, Major Robertson took up his new position as Director of Music, British Forces Germany based in the Joint HQ, Rheindahlen.

 

Bandmaster

Warrant Officer Class One Mark Evans enlisted in the Army in 1988 as a Clarinet and Saxophonist at the Army Junior School of Music, Bovington.  On completion of training in 1990 he joined the band of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters in Omagh, Northern Ireland.  From mid 1991, he spent 3 years with the Regiment in Cyprus.  From here he toured Turkey, Egypt the Lebanon and Jordan.  Following Options for change WO1 Evans was posted to the Band of the Prince of Wale's Division (Clive) in Ternhill, Shropshire.  Following eight years service including tours of much of Europe and America, he was selected to attend the  Bandmaster Course at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.

WO1 Evans was appointed Bandmaster to the Band of the Royal Electrical and mechanical Engineers in January 2005.  Although only serving for two and a half years with this unit, he once again toured much of Europe including three tours of Germany. 

In August 2008, WO1 Evans was appointed Bandmaster of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Band and Corps of Drums.  During his eighteen month tenure, WO1 Evans toured Morocco and instructed the President's Army Band in the Gambia.  This post also involved many local high profile engagements including two Royal Visits, a visit of the First Sea Lord and countless performances for the Governor and Chief Minister. 

In April 2010 he moved to his present post as Bandmaster of the Scots Guards Band where he has now completed the Queen's Birthday Parade and Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade.