14 NAVY NEWS, SEPTEMBER 2011


Bandies stage prom for Herrick troops


YOU don’t need the grand Victorian surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall to enjoy the


esque theatrics... Twenty musicians and buglers


Last Night of the Proms. You do, however, need professional musicians. And some Freddie Mercury-


of the Royal Marines Band Service took a break from driving ambulances around Afghanistan to entertain their British comrades with a traditional proms-style concert. The group of ‘bandies’ has


been deployed with the United Kingdom Medical Group on Operation Herrick 14 – the last six-month deployment to Helmand by British forces – since April, providing support to 3 Commando Brigade as drivers, signallers and in administrative roles. The men and women from


the Royal Marines Band based at the Commando Training Centre, Lympstone, in Devon, are instrumental in the transfer of casualties from the helicopter landing site to the UK hospital within Camp Bastion. They also drive and command


the hub of British operations in Helmand, with a performance in the open area between the


the armoured battlefield ambulances used in the combat logistic patrols which supply food, ammunition and medical supplies to the forward operating bases. Despite being deployed on a non-musical operational mission, the musicians were keen to give up some of their free time to rehearse for a concert. They duly obliged at Bastion,


Musn Tim Fairweather performs the Post Horn Gallop


accommodation tents. “It was fantastic to be able


to bring a little piece of British tradition out here to the troops who have been working so hard over the past four months,” said Capt Rich Harvey RM, adjutant of the medical group – and also the band’s Director of Music. “Traditionally Royal Marines


musicians and buglers have been associated with the medical side of war and conflict for many years, having been involved in every major conflict since World War I, but it is as musicians and entertainers that we feel most at home.” The programme included mess beatings by the Corps of Drums,


PO ‘Chippy’ Carpenter, dressed as Britannia, and Capt Rich Harvey lead the singing during the bandies’ version of the Last Night of the Proms


the music of Sirs Edward Elgar and Henry Wood and a traditional Naval sunset ceremony. The concert concluded with a


rousing rendition of Rule Britannia sung by PO ‘Chippy’ Carpenter (complete with homemade trident, winged helmet and draped in a Union Flag). “The performance was


exceptional and the effect on morale has been quite notable,” said a delighted Cdre Clive Walker, in command of Joint Force Support in Afghanistan. “I am extraordinarily proud that


in parallel with being instrumental in providing our front-line Royal Marines and soldiers with the very best medical care possible, the Royal Marine Band Service is also maintaining its fine musical pedigree in the challenging environment of Afghanistan.” Within moments of finishing


the concert, the musicians were back behind the wheels of their vehicles as the ominous sound of an inbound helicopter signalled the arrival of a casualty from the battlefield. As well as raising morale, the


evening raised more than £300 for Service charities. The bandies will return with


CPO Des Paterson brings proceedings to a close by lowering the White Ensign in the shimmering heat of an Afghanistan summer night


the rest of the men and women of Herrick 14 in October and, after some well-earned leave, will resume more normal musical duties in time for November’s remembrance ceremonies and the multitude of performances in the run-up of Christmas.


New bridge symbolises growing


The Provincial Governor of Helmand Afghanistan officially opens a new bridge at Salaang, built by the Task Force Helmand Engineer Group


HELMAND’S provincial governor Gulab Mangal was able to greet village leaders in a one-time no-go area, now cleared of insurgents thanks to the efforts of Royal Marines. Back in the late spring, Operation


Omid Haft (Hope Seven) – a combined thrust by 3 Cdo Brigade, 1 Rifles and several hundred Afghan troops – was designed to drive the rebels out of the Loy Mandeh Kalay area. The district was regarded as the ‘last


ulcer’ in Task Force Helmand’s area of operations, an insurgent stronghold. Omid Haft succeeded, such that


two months down the line Governor Mangal was able to visit the district, see the progress made – and thank the troops for all they’d achieved. His first task was to officially open a


praised Afghan and International Security and Assistance Force troops for their relentless hard work and acknowledged the sacrifice that has been made in the area over recent months. After the ceremony, the Governor


by insurgents to cross the canal, and replaced them with the bridge to allow locals to cross. It now forms part of Check Point Salaang. At the opening, Governor Mangal


bridge over the Nahr-e Bughra Canal, constructed by task force engineers with the assistance of Afghan soldiers. During Omid Haft, the engineers removed tunnels, which were used


was driven along Route Neptune, a road which runs parallel to the canal, to the outskirts of Loy Mandeh Kalay for a traditional shura (meeting). Before Omid Haft, the village was peppered with homemade bombs and had been the subject of fierce fighting with insurgents. Now, however, the governor was


able to walk through it for that discussion with some 50 elders, plus 42 Cdo’s Commanding Officer Lt Col Ewen Murchison, among others.


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