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Navigation Title:<\/b><\/td>History<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Keywords:<\/b><\/td>History<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Description:<\/b><\/td>History Of The Band<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Content Contact:<\/b><\/td>WO2 (FofS) Andy Soward<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Telephone:<\/b><\/td>94 371 2167<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
Email:<\/b><\/td>webmaster@royalsignals.mod.uk<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
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FOI Status:<\/b><\/td>Releasable<\/td><\/tr>'); metaDataWindow.document.write('
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HISTORY OF THE ROYAL SIGNALS BAND

The Corps Colours
Old Band 1925
 
THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN IN 1938 OUTSIDE THE BAND BLOCK IN CATTERICK

The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals was formed in 1921 by a few ex members of the Royal Engineers Depot Band. They set about forming the nucleus of a Band for The Royal Signals. The Band was run on a voluntary basis and supported by Officer Subscriptions for the next eighteen years.

In 1926 Mr Randolph Ricketts took up the post of civilian Bandmaster. He was better known as Leo Stanley who composed many military band works including the Corps Slow March HRH The Princess Royal, which was officially adopted in 1952. After the war the status of the Band was upgraded to Staff Band and then came under the baton of a Director of Music for the first time.

The full dress uniform is based on the Royal Signals Officer’s home service dress circa 1934: Scarlet Jackets with black facings, dark blue overalls with a broad red stripe, Cavalry Busby with scarlet plume and boots with silver spurs. Instruments are all in burnished gold except the silver fanfare trumpets.

In the early seventies the Band moved from Catterick Garrison to the School of Signals at Blandford Forum, Dorset, which is currently their permanent home.

The Band performs as a concert and marching band, as well as being able to perform various other combinations including: Big Band, Soul band, Ceremonial Fanfares and Small Chamber Ensembles.

As part of its wider commitment to the Army, the band has in recent years completed tours of Cyprus, Canada, United States of America, Germany, Mainland Europe and The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, whilst continuing to provide musical support to the Royal Corps of Signals.

Director of Music (Commissioned Officers)

Bandmasters (Warrant Officer Class 1)

1921-25 Lieutenant M R Kemp 1994-96 WO1 M Perry
1925-26 Mr Neville 1996-99 WO1 K Davis LRSM ALCM
1926-39 Mr R Ricketts 1999-02 WO1 B Booth
1939-42 Mr A Hibbert LRCM ARCM 2002-06 WO1 P Wilman BA(Hons), C A Mus
1943-62 Lieutenant Colonel J L Judd 2006- WO1 N Skipper BMus(Hons) ALCM
1962-69 Captain C H Pike LRCM ARCM PSM
1969-82

Lieutenant Colonel K R R Boulding LRAM ARCM FVCM BBCM PSM
1982-87 Major G Turner MBE BA ARCM LGSM FTCL FLCM PSM
1987-99
Major D F Wall LTCL BBCM PSM
2000-06 Major Murrell PSM CA Mus
2006- Captain R G K Booth MMus BA(Mus) LRSM LTCL