The Past:

In the 1970s The Hampshire and Isle of Wight ACF had a number of Detachments with their own Corps of Drums and Bugle Bands, some even extended to have Bell Lyres to improve the melody. Band detachments were at :

Romsey Detachment
Montgomery of Alamein School Detachment (Now Kings School Platoon)
Old Basing Detachment
Bitterne Detachment
Park Gate Detachment
Totton Detachment
Millbrook Detachment
Cove Detachment
Cosham Tudor (under ex County Commandant Gerry Canipel)
Blackfield
Fordingbridge

As the years went by, more and more young people wanted to participate in ACF music. It was then proposed, by Major Mike Smith, that a County Band be formed. Discussions went on for a while and in 1990 it was decided, by the then Commandant, Colonel Gerry Canipel OBE, that idea was viable. The County Band was born, based at Millbrook TA Centre, in Southampton. Initially the Band was made up of cadets from the Bitterne Band - in fact this detachment band played its last engagement on a Sunday and the next day started playing as the County Band.

The founders, Major Mike Smith, RSM Les Curle and SMI John Churchouse began to piece things together. Their hard work and determination resulted in the membership growing, forming a thriving young cadet band. The Connaught Trust along with donations from the Royal Hampshire Comrades Association helped to buy instruments. The initial cadets were joined by a number of cadets from Bridgemary Detachment, bussed up to Millbrook by SMI Ron Pegram. Ron soon transferred from his role in Y Company to a full time member of the Band.

SMI John Churchouse managed to acquire a coach, donated by Le Court Cheshire Homes, which was in time repainted in the band colours. John Churchouse put in many voluntary hours to keep the coach on the road, and Ron spent many hours at the wheel taking the band to various engagements and rehearsals. The team had now been joined by SSI Eric Homer

The Band soon became a full military Marching Band. It quickly built its reputation by performing all over the South of England, culminating in participation in the Arnhem Marches in Holland on four occasions.

In April 1992, The Royal Hampshire Regiment was sadly amalgamated and formed The Princess of Wale’s Royal Regiment (PWRR); Major Mike Smith seized the opportunity and secured the donation of the old 1901 pattern uniforms. The Royal Hampshire regiment still lives, with The Hampshire & Isle Of Wight Corps of Drums still wearing the uniform to this day.

After the retirement of Major Mike Smith due to ill health, RSM Les Curle took up the role of Bandmaster. He began to increase the repertoire, which resulted in an increase in membership. The Band continued to perform and build for several years.

With Ron at the wheel and John servicing the coach, also taking care of the admin and band bookings. New adults members joined the team, Susan Gay (a mother of two cadets) helped John Churchouse with the vast amount of admin, and thankfully is still with us as the band secretary, also assisting with the driving and cooking.

In 1998 the now Captain Les Curle resigned leaving the Band without a leader. Les was missed as he was, and still is, a very good musical instructor. Ron Pegram retired due to ill health, but continued with the Hants & IOW ACF as PMC Sergeants Mess.

Captain Ian Smith arrives:

In September of 1999 Captain Ian Smith (see note 1) volunteered to take over the band and was appointed the Officer Commanding. Ian did not have a professional musical background, but had some experience in the running of the Corps of Drums and bugle section (a bugler himself). Ian threw himself into it, to the extent that he even attempted to read music, taking up the cornet and spending much of his free time organizing various activities.

SMI John Churchouse left on retirement, but not before he was awarded the Lord Lieutenants Certificate for his work with the band. Although to this day he is still an active member of the Hampshire ACF. John still maintains the county vehicles and attends all the annual camps.

The musical side of the band was left to SMI Roy Bramwell who was drafted in from B Company. Roy gave instruction to the musicians and WSSI Michelle Flanagan with Drum Major Dave Milmore (both ex cadets) instructed the Corps of Drums. SMI Eric Homer, Jim Barrie (Ex B Company) and SMI Chris Bridle (Ex Royal Corps of Transport) assisted with the stores and driving the mini buses. Katie Wainright (also an ex cadet) looked after the Library and help to teach the beginners.

The bandmasters post was vacant for a while until Dick Auburn (Ex Queen’s Own Hussars band) took up the post for a short time

RSMI Steve Croney appointed OC & Director of Music:

In January of 2004 Captain Ian Smith, handed over the ropes to Steve, to take up a new role at County HQ. Shortly after Steve received his promotion to Lieutenant, and adding the final touches to the banner design was able to place an order, taking delivery just before they set off on their very first tour of Belgium in August of 2004.

The band is now a very competent Wind & Marching Band, fully supported by CEO Major Tom Meggison and his staff at the County HQ and the County Commandant Col Rod Lambert. The band has performed on various engagements, and attended many ACF camps as well as the Cadet Force Music camps, held at Altcar, near Liverpool and Longmoor, near Bordon

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