R.A.O.C. STAFF BAND
Hall Of Fame
(
hosted by Stewart Field )
I've just started this page therefore, it's very much still under construction..........so.....any comments you would like to post on this page or indeed any pics you would like to contribute, please contact Stewart Field on - 01773 740264 or email- stewart@meadowfarmstudio.co.uk
It would be great to hear from you!
I thought I'd start with a bit of Military Band/bugling history. Thanks to Doug Leeming (a fellow French Horn player) for the photos.
This first section is set up in memory of John Sheringham (Drum Major) and the following fellow 'musos' who I've learnt are sadley no longer with us-
Capt. R.A.Y.Mitchell
John Young
Don Phillimore
Les Baker
Jo McCulloch
Gordon Cod
Dave Smith
Sid Warne
I have recently received some wonderful photos from ex- band member Peter Smith M.B.E. So I am dedicating the first section of this page to all who served with Peter and those musicians photographed therein. Peter also graciously sent some photo's belonging to David his brother, who I had the pleasure of serving with, and who's untimely death was a shock to us all. If anyone knows the names of guys who have not been mentioned please feel free to drop me a line with name and any details .
Owing to recent contributions from Bill Barrowcliffe, Bill Lilley, Giles Bodoano, Rosemarie Young and of course P.B,S. I have extended the original date parameters of 196?/1974. This is followed by a an overview of 'Life after the R.A.O.C' and a few pics of some of the talented and interesting guys I've met and worked with over the years..............any further pictorial or editorial documents gratefully received and returned post haste!
This is a recently developed print from a neg sent in by P.B.Smith of the R.A.O.C. Band on H.M. Coronation. The R.A.O.C. are at the back, left, and we believe the other band on the right was the R.A.S.C...not sure though. In front are two RAF Bands. Major Henry Jarman can be seen on the left flank.
RAOC Portsmouth Barracks Hilsea.
Tom Brownlow, Ginger Morgan, John Skinner, P.B.Smith, Tom Carter, John Young, Ron Bishop.
Tom Brownlow, Busty White, Frank Beaumont, Frank Lamb, Ken Webb, Tom Carter, John Skinner.
Back Row - Frank Lamb, Tom Carter, P.B.Smith, Jim Buck, Jock McKie. Middle Row - ?. ?. Ken Webb. Front Row - John Sherringham, Jock Connell, Hopkins, Alan Clark, D. Scrase.
Below - Cass Kelly,Tom Carter, P.B.Smith & Jack Watley.
'PB' & Frank Lamb
'PB' &Frank 'Sax'
Baldwin.
Roger Churchill -
oboe. 
Peter
B. Smith &Tom Carter
Peter B. Smith &
John Sherry
Ron
Bishop, Henry Dean & Oskar Gove.
Party For Orphans Given By RAOC Staff Band (I think I recognise D/maj Vincent 2nd in from the right....Any one recognise anybody or know what year?)
Back row - ?. ?. ?. ?. Lofty Davis, BobWarner Titch Cocker, ?. 3rd Row - ?. ?. Ginger Watkins, Henry Dean, John SherringHam, ?. Mick Sparkes. ?. ?. 2nd Row - Joe Coombes, ?. Cyril Cross, Jock McKie, ?. Lewis, Tom Carter,D/Major, ?. P.B.Smith,?.?.?.?. Front Row - Busty White, Jack Harper, John Young, Maj.Fred Goddard, Brig.?. Col.Tobin, Gus Thorn, Frank Lamb,?.
Below are a few photo's belonging to Dave Smith and given to Peter who has kindly allowed us to put them on the site. I don't have much information about most of these so if anyone would like to send me any details I'll put it with the appropriate photo.
Below -Alan Clark
An historic Photo Of David taking part in SPORT!!
A flute player with great ambition?
Back Row - Bill Barrowcliffe (center) - John Sherringham (far right) Who are the others??
Below -Brighton Bandstand 1950
Above - Are Bill Barrowcliffe, Don Phillimore, Fred Lee, Bill Castle, Bernard Morgan & Dave Smith. I think this was taken at the 'Gaslight Club' in Hong Kong,1969 far east tour.
L/R - Syd 'Gussie' Thorn and wife Betty,John Taylor, John Henson & Bill Barrowcliffe.
RAOC Band getting ready to record at BBC Maida Vale Studio,London.
Below - John Sherry (Tenor sax) Dixy Dean (Trumpet) Bill Barrowcliffe (Double Bass) Bill Simpson (Drums) John Young ( Alto Sax)
1950s Dance Band & Major Jarmin with John Young & 'Taf' Lewis(Clts) and Jim Lowdon/Hoskins & Danny Bryan(Cnts)
Capt.R.A.Y. Mitchell
1966-7? the late Capt. R.A.Y Mitchell D.M.
(Above 1966) The guys I can remember L- R...John Young,Gordon Cod,Jo McCulloch,Rob Kellaway,John Taylor,Bert Fulford,John Henson.
D.M.- Capt. R.A.Y.Mitchell
Stewart,
It really is strange how, things, happen!
Yesterday: I e-mailed a good friend who is currently the Director of Music of Perth Cathedral. As a PS. to my message I asked him if he had come across RAY Mitchell during his time in Australia!
Today: I have just come across your excellent RAOC Band web site which very sadly tells me that ' Ron ' as I knew him, is no more.
We first met in 1962 when I was a 22 year old Lieutenant in the RAOC and had returned to Blackdown prior to going on the AAC pilot course. We became very good friends and in many ways he was a mentor. Having passed the flying course I was able, a few years later, to give him a flight in an Alouette~ [see attached photo].I did not see Ron after he went to Australia, but I have very fond memories of him.
Regards
Mike Ewens
On Leaving the RAOC Capt. Mitchell became Squadron Leader R.A.Y. Mitchell of the Royal Australian Air Force ( our loss, their gain) here receiving a Gold Disc for sales in excess of 1 Million of his latest recording!
.JPG)
John Combs & John Sherringham
Bernard Morgan with Pete Bun on Sax
Chris Smyth & Bill Lilley ( August 1970 )
Summer Concert On The Mall
Gordon Cod, Joe McCulloch & Don Phillimore
John Young, 'Sherry' & Bill Lilley
Bill Lilley & Ron Brennan
Capt. Duncan Beat. L.V.O. O.St.J. A.R.C.M. psm.
What a line up -Bill Lilley,Chris Smyth, Danny Bryan, Henry Clydesdale, Ken Johnson & Lawrence Warburton.
Bill & 'Bo'
John Sherry & Bill Lilley
Above - Are Bill Barrowcliffe, Don Phillimore, Fred Lee, Bill Castle, Bernard Morgan & Dave Smith. I think this was taken at the 'Gaslight Club' in Hong Kong,1969 far east tour.
John Combs, George Young and Yours Truly...Hong Kong Tour 196?
Allan Clark, yours truly & 'Bo - ' Singapore recording studio session - 196?
Green Room Band Call - Allan Clark, 'Bo' And Stewart Field(me) talking through the dots with 'The Caravelles' (' Gonna Get along Without You Now' etc.)
Alexandra Barracks, Singapore 196?
Above- - Pete Bun & John Sherringham.
Below - Ron Brennan, Barry Collison, Bert Fulford, Pete Bun, Joe McCulloch, Danny Bryan.
Above - Pete Bun & fellow French Horn Player Bill Price.
Below -Ken Johnson, Dave Green, 'BO' Henry Clydesdale, Pete Humphries, Gibby Harrison, Steve Campion and Paul Tynan kneeling.
Gibby, Lawrence Warbuton, Henry Clydesdale & Paul Tynan
A rare shot of John Henson's back during our flight back home
Alan'Nobby'Clark
& David Smith.
My first gig with the 'Blue Rockets' when the R.A.O.C. received the freedom of Nottingham playing my new 1968 Fender Jazz bass which I still have although we're both showing signs of ageing!
One of the many line-ups of the newly formed 'Blue Rockets' also known as The Neil James Sound' for civilian gigs.
?.George Young(Drum Major) ?. John Henson, Mike Eastwood, Dave Smith. Knelling - Edward Heath, Les Baker.
Below - Dave Smith ?. George Ridley & George Young.
'Lakeside Club' Frimley - Resident Band
Keys -Greg White. Bass/MD Pete Skinner. Trombone - Alex Kettlewell. Tpt - Bill Lilley.
Alto/Tenor - Dave Green & playing Drums the late Steve Harris.
The late Chuck Butler with Bill Lilley & Bob Nicholson
A more recent recording of the band(1989)
(L/Cpl R.S. Smith - an original painting by M.J. Henderson)
Mrs. Anna Mitchell (wife of Capt. Mitchell) with daughters Susan & Heidi, June 2003
Below 'Bill Barrowcliffe' with Anna & Susan/Anna & Heidi.
What ever became of...........
Sgt. Ron Bishop. ex Royal Sussex. NCO i/c Boys & Solo Clarinet.
Frank Lamb. Bandmaster 2nd Paras
Peter B. Smith. M.B.E. Coldstream Guards -Bandmaster QRIH.
Ken Webb -Coldstream Guards.
Tom Brownlow - Irsh Guards.
Titch Cocker - Irish Guards
Bill Lilley -Trumpet with BBC Scottish Radio Orch/Maynard Ferguson Band
(let me know if you can update this section)
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - George Young was somewhat bemused to learn of his untimely demise. After a fascinating conversation with John, his son, it gives me the greatest of pleasure to announce that George is very much alive and well at 80...playing 18 holes of golf a Day! .....every Day!!.....................now that's what I call a resurrection!!! Good 'on ya' George!!!!
(any updates appreciated)
KNELLER HALL AND BEYOND
( This section is in fond memory memory and admiration of Eric Delaney - Steve Harris & Barry Simmons, Drummers unique and masters of their craft!)
TOP THREE HORNS AT KNELLER HALL 1970/71 !!??
Royal Military School of Music Kneller Hall Dance Band - Private Function at E.M.I. Records, Hayes.
Then the first thing you do when you leave the Army is..........GROW HAIR AND FORM A BAND!!!
Back Row- Henry Clydesdale, Barry Simmonds,Alan Clarke - Front Row - John Sherry,Lesley Field, Stewart Field.
Barry Simmonds - drums
Then you get a job with another band or 2 or 3 or 4-..........??
Resident Band - Bristol Tiffanys (Late 70's)
John Sherry. Henry Clydesdale. Nigel Smith. Lesley Field. John Ward. Me. Marion Clydesdale.
Me/Lesley/Steve Harris - drums/Joy Brown/Simon Fricker-Kys/Clive Allsopp
(Opening night Police Ball at ' Butterley Police Headquarters, Ripley)
Opening night Police Ball at ' Butterley Police Headquarters
Eric Delaney 1984/5 & Chico Arnez 1977/83 - ( I have recently been informed that Chico Arnez [aka. Jack Davies] passed away a few years ago...my deepest condolences to Tammy,Candy Margaret and all his Family.
Above- Gavin Spowat (Tpt) Me (Bass) 'Fergus' (Kys)
Yours truly, Chico Arnez(Jack Davies) & Colin Portious(Guitar)
In session at BBC Maida Vale Studios
Relaxing between Gigs in Monaco at the Beach Plaza Hotel
Margaret(vox)Chico,Graham Ratcliff(tpt) & Lee Slater(tnr).
Chico,Graham(tpt) Me(bass),my wife Lesley(vox) & Margaret(vox)
Those were the days! Dave Buxton, My Wife and I, Gerry Bishop & Ian Cunnignham(Jock)
Me good self and my wife Lesley plus Linda Dawson and my very good friend Clive Allsopp
Below - I have just received some great pics, from an OLD friend of mine 'RON COOPER' who I played with some years ago with amongst others JIMMY CRAWFORD, of a couple of the artists we have both performed with over the years.....
Above - Eartha Kit, who I worked with at CHURCHILLS CLUB in New Bond Street W1.
Commodore International, Nottingham - Resident Band (1978-84)
Keys-Barry Farnsworth. Vox- Lesley Field & Lin Arnold. Drum's-Russell Heaton. Bass/Trumpet-Me. Bass/Guitar-Mike Robinson..........front line when we could afford it!!!
Augment - Rod Arnold-vocals( also Mansfield Town Goalkeeper) Dave Hinson & Don Owen-Trumpets. Owen & Michelle-Saxs Steve Draper-Keys
Derby Assembly Rooms Gig (heavily pregnant Lesley)
On tour with Robert Young (Mansfield Civic Theatre)
MD/Bass- Stewart Field. Keys - Nigel Danford. Dms - Frank Davey. Tpt- Colin Yates. Tbne - Ian Richards. Tnr - Owen Edwards. (197?)
VE Night Gig - Colin Cox Big Band
Myself & Steve Cox on Drums
Lesley & Ian Richards (same gig)
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This section is In Fond Memory of Ike Isaacs & Jim Burns (Burns Guitars)
Ike Isaacs & Poacher along with John Lomas( Managing Director) & my good self holding the other end of the banner!
Stewart Field(again) the Late Jim Burns and Ike Isaacs along with Martin Taylor, check out Jim's latest models.
Testing the gear out, ready for the Randall/Antoria/Ibanez tour
This is me trying desperately to keep up with MartinTaylor and Roy Sainsbury! ......... Had a surprise call from Roy today.....he's still a 'mover & shaker' on the scene! Click Here For Roy's Website...it's a great read!
I wonder what Martin was thinking of my attempt at a solo!?
Not impressed....so I'll hand it back to the Masters! ' Ike & Martin'
And just incase any of you thought that forgetting your guitar meant you couldn't do the gig....think again!
And so
to the bar.................
Jim
Burns along with Myself, Martin Taylor, Mike Freer(World Champion UNDERWATER
Drummer) and Ike at theLakeside Club, Frimley for a demonstartion/promotion.
Below - A Few Endorsements
Me and Dave Pegg "Peggy" ( Fairport Convention & Jethro Tull etc. )197?
I had the
dubious honour of being a 'Dykon'....the Group that during the 60's were very
big (ahead of the Beatles in the charts at one point!) in both it's own right
and for their front man/vocalist Dave Kaye, bearing a striking resemblance vocally
to Elvis. In fact Dave appeared in a film featuring Elvis and also has strong
links even today with the Elvis fan club. I have pasted below a copy of a letter
Dave still has written by Elvis to President Nixon (thought some of you might
find it interesting?)
'DAVE KAYE & THE DYKONS'
199? Malcolm Froggart (Drums) Ian Gilbert (Keys) 'DAVE KAYE' Mike Robinson(Guitar)
Stewart Field (Bass Guitar)
A Gig At The REGAL
in Ripley!!....Rob Bradley (Guitar) Malc Froggart.(Drums) Debs & Tanya (B/Vs)
Me (Bass)
Elvis Presley's letter to President Nixon pages 1-5 + 6 the printed version, he apologised to Nixon when he met him, for the handwriting, he said it was turbulence as he'd written it on the plane.! Nixon's typed copy at the end.
Getting to grips with the desk in the early 90s
Below - Doing my Simon Cowell impersonation?
Checking out a few"horny" overdubs...............
TO BE CONTINUED..............................
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