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Bandmasters

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GinaS

GinaS Report 14 Aug 2015 10:46

A number of my relatives in the 1800's were Bandmasters/Teachers. in the British Army.
I am curious to know why were they posted to different countries, some on an annual basis, I have one who was in 9 different countries in 12 years.
Many thanks,
Regards,
GinaSplane

Researching:
Haughton Brocken Unwin Tomsett Splane

Potty

Potty Report 14 Aug 2015 12:00

If they were in a regiment, they would probably travel with the regiment. Most regiments had their own bands and the members would go with them when posted abroad.

This site has info about Army bands:

http://www.imms-uk.org.uk/page3.html

PatinCyprus

PatinCyprus Report 14 Aug 2015 13:35

They were still moving around with their regiments in the 1970s as when I was based in Cyprus we had the resident battalion and it's band.

Band members doubled up as stretcher bearers with basic medical training when they were in skirmishes/wars.

If you see bandsmen these days you will see they are still going into the thick of it as they have plenty of medals on their chests.

They are in the army first and a bandsman second although they don't get infantry training unless they are part of the Gurkha band then they are fully trained infantry soldiers. :-)

Researching:
Lloyd,Paddock,Cooper,Morris,Rigby West Midlands Salop Worc

GinaS

GinaS Report 14 Aug 2015 14:43

Many thanks Potty and PatinCyprus, for your valued information.
Kindest Regards,
Gina Splane

Researching:
Haughton Brocken Unwin Tomsett Splane

MarieCeleste

MarieCeleste Report 14 Aug 2015 23:29

My great grandfather started off in 1879 as a boy bandsman, then bandsman - eventually ended up as an infantry captain (British army).