It’s one of the smallest counties in the country, but the Isle of Wight is certainly making a big noise within the Royal Marines Band Service – providing a remarkable 10% of its drummers.
Out of 50 drummers spread among the world-renowned 5 bands, some 5 are from the Isle of Wight. Another is currently in training at the Royal Marines School of Music.
The musicians serve with the Band Service’s Corps of Drums and its members front each band during marching performances and are renowned for their precision and drill. Each drummer is also a fully-trained bugler.
The 5 drummers from the Island are Corporal Buglers Stuart Bartlett, 38, and Kerrie Merrell-Silk, 28 (both from East Cowes) and Buglers Lewis Crowe, 21; Mike Thomas, 27 and Alex Elliot, 24 (all from Newport). Bugler Aaron Hall, 17, of Gurnard, is in his first year at the RM School of Music in Portsmouth.
Cpl Bugler Bartlett, a former member of Medina Marching Band currently based in Devon, said:
“To have so many Islanders in the Corps of Drums is remarkable. I think it’s due to the proximity of the Royal Marines School of Music in Portsmouth and the fact that the bands perform on the Island quite often.
“Also the marching bands on the Island, which have good links with the Royal Marines bands, set high standards and youngsters know what to expect when they join up”.
Cpl Bugler Merrell-Silk, who also played with Medina Marching Band and is now based in Scotland, added:
“A lot of people across the Island are very aware of the Royal Marines – a lot of former players live there.
“The Island link extends beyond the Corps of Drums – several brass and woodwind players in the Band Service are also from there”.
As well as performing at high-profile engagements across the world Royal Marines musicians are trained to support military and humanitarian operations across the globe, giving vital support to troops on the ground and at sea in roles such as casualty handlers, ambulance drivers, radio operators and protecting convoys.
