THE DEVONSHIRE VOLUNTEER BAND

HMS Devonshire has been for some years the only DLG with a respectable volunteer band. Two years ago its reputation was high, just as the reign of Band Sgt Ralph Cole was coming to an end. When he left he took most of the band with him, so that his relief, Band Sgt Trevor Foster, had to begin from scratch. The drafters were unkind for a long time, refusing to send us experienced players, so the road to progress was a long, hard one.

We learnt painstakingly our simple tunes, and for a while every programme consisted of the same five or so pieces, the only ones that we could play. Gradually, more of Sgt Foster's learners gained band status; and finally the drafters relented so far as to send us a couple of players who had learnt to play already, until at Sgt Foster's final appearance for the F0F1 Inspection Divisions in January this year, the music-loving Admiral Squires felt able to compliment us with a clear conscience - as did many other listeners.

The final part of the commission has been under Band Col Sgt Trevor Lewis. This has seen further expansion of our activities, which have included two memorable appearances in Gibraltar - a splendid concert jointly with the Hermes and London bands, and on our own the 'Roman' morning, already famed through its appearance in Navy News