As the Bandmaster i/c I think I can answer your questions. The 3 in front are Bugle Majors, 2 from the Light Infantry and one from The Royal Green Jackets, the 2 regts that at this time formed the Light Division. At this time the Bands usually marched at 168 paces per minute, the 2 BD's are Sgt Ernie Blanchard and Sgt Whittock-Knott (sp?). The 3 Bandmasters shared performances, Dennis Burton is featured in the clip, the others were Ian McElligott and myself, Ian Harding. Thanks, great show lads!
we have lost so much with all the cuts both militarily and spectacle. At least. some of us old sqaddies remember when we could put on displays like this, glad i,m old.
When I hear the Bugles, the hairs stand up on the back of my neck and I get a little excited. I had an office for a while that looked out on to the Band Parade Square at Sir John Moore Barracks so I got to hear the rehearsals, brilliant. "Bugle Major, sound the advance!"
I remember when I joined up way back in 1971 and the first time I saw the band on the parade square at Peninsula Barracks Winchester it was my first proper day of my 14 week training I thought how the hell do they march that fast, its only when they get you on the square and some big arse Sgt Major starts shouting and you are the only name he knows as he had served with my father I can tell you ,,,, you soon frigin learn but they were the best years of my life
I was in Gibraltar, when I saw the last British Battalion ( 3RGJ) do the final parade, before handing over to the Gibraltar Regiment. It was superb drill, and I, an Old Soldier was very proud.
I was in the RAFG Band 70-73 and was in the house band when the Light Division massed bands marched into the Landhalle in Berlin. The response from the crowd nearly took the roof off. Amazing band!
The swagger and movement are incredible. I am unsure if my father was present in this video, but it's how I remember the band n bugles of the 3rd battalion light infantry.
As an ex Light Infantryman this still makes me proud as **** when I see or hear the band and Bugles of the Light Infantry /Light Division.. D.C.L.I. S.C.L.I. K.S.L.I. 3 L.I. Cede Nullis (Yield to None) Be Bright! join the Light!! Barney Cornwall.
If you landed in Gibraltar between 1979-1981 it would have been 2LI as we were resident battalion. Its sad to see the massed bands of the Light Div broken up and dispanded.
Guys I was part of this video.... all I can say is respect the main man.... Bugle Major "Max" Bygraves..... herll of a man, hell of a soldier, and a fuckin awesome bloke.
Coming to this astounding drill video by accident some time ago - I thought, who are these guys? They take your breath away! Like many of you on this forum, I keep coming back for more! And, I thought the RAF Regiment and the Royal Marines were good? Not to mention the Jocks! But I have to say - this drill team was one of the best! God Bless them all! RIP to those no longer with us - your legacy lives on.
+William Rance I know, I know, I'm replying to my own comments, But, isn't this stirring stuff? It's timeless! it should be included on the next Voyager probe and sent out into the cosmos to let the guys' out there know what we humans are all about! My sincere and kindest regards to all you Riflemen, past and present, Bill.
As an American, let me say, The Light Infantry is in a class all by itself!! Will it ever be reinstated as a marching band? It takes one's breath away! FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brilliant. As an ex 1 para drummer 80-89 i was always in awe of you guys with respect to your bugling. Saw you guys when the wembley pageant thing was still going on . you always blew me away with your skills. I hope that twat cameron hasn't fucked you up with the cuts.
I was in the RAFG band when we played in the Deutchlandhalle in Berlin in 1972/3. We were amazed at their precision drill at double march tempo. Compared to them we just shuffled around! Brilliant to see this video
I remember the final parade and we all walked off when the lights were dimmed and left Bugle Major Max Bygraves standing alone. Had some great times with great people and this was one of the best parades we did.
Absolutely brilliant performance ...no matter how many times I view it ...do I detect a bit of ..."Have some of THAT in the salute and march off " towards some of the Redcoat bands ???
Brilliant parade and some good memories. Best time of my time as a bugler. Brilliant buglers and band members and we all got on and all had a good laugh but serious as well. My time in 3 RGJ was great and this was one of the best parades I took part in
I think it's 1987 or late1986 main bugle major max Bygrave rip stayed in rudolph hess private ward in British military hospital Berlin me Dawkins frog rosser wilf to many names to rember on the last night we marched off about 220 paces per min
just watched this all the way through ...for the first time......Light Div their aint nothing to touch you in this universe ....Guards who ?Household what ? ...green n black rule at 140 to the minute !
@jrd58 Do you remember Rfmn Keith Bennet from East London. My grandad was 3302 Cmpny Sgt Percy Shaw;D.C.M....................His medals are in museum at Penninsular Barracks
Paces per min they are doing there will be around 165-170. This was quite normal during events like Berlin Tattoo, Royal Tournament etc. Cheers. Paul, Former Bugler...
I was at this tattoo, in Berlin 1979, US Army Berlin Brigade. Trained with some of the best soldiers in Her Majesties Armed forces. Cheerio to all. Especially to those in Afghanistan. Come home safe.
hey jim Alexander.was you in that military Police, car in the 2 RGJ barracks in catterick in 1974/75 that i smashed all your windows out.all our provos said we all had to say in barracks.laughing our heads off we went down to the british legion and got well pissed he he. you provos pick people up for a stagger or too.never any respect for them.
When was this ? if its the 1982 Berlin tatoo, Then I was there , doing my time with 7FLT AAC , ,But the 1st RGJ is the family. 2 brothers did there time ,
'Max' Bygraves, and the wonderful Colin Green two legendary bugle majors ! RGJ all passed into history but thank god we have these vids of youthful times.. check out the light division at the Royal tounament last Parade for Colin Green, and the light division on horseguards. Utter madness the British Army cant even fill wembley now!
@jrd58 i was a bandsman in the para regt pipe band when i was 15yrs old and then went on to the regular army. this was between 1966 - 75 (was a military policeman, 69 - 75.) ps, never nicked anyone who didnt deserve it.
awesome display, the marches were, light division,,secunderabad,,sambre et meuse,,bugle boy,,sir john moore fanfare,,keel row/road to the isles,,la reve passe,,the light infantry,, the royal green jackets. i saw sounding retreat on horse guards in 1974 when i was 14..does anyone remember bugle major colin green? m@rty
As someone from the continent, quite away from the isles ... great,it cannot happen here on the sunny side of Alps ... oh,and ... can please someone explain me why are there three bandmasters? and, why does one of them only uses his swagger cane and has somewhat different uniform? cheers, gregory
What a show that was. Makes you proud to be an Infantryman. Rilies, Light Infantry- Royal Ulster Rifles- whatever. Guards bands, Royal Marines band RAF bands - in fact any other Military bands eat your heart out - You couldent do that!!! But they could do what you do Easy!!!
The march-off starts with a bugle call. Because of the short distance they have to cover, it is a very abbreviated version of "Light Infantry" and "Royal Green Jackets"That's what they're titled. A previoous poster referred to the first march in the set being "Light Division" but it is actually "Silver Bugles".
the best there ever was and the best there ever will be.now in suspended animation ,a great pity.as an ex soldier I miss such spectacles and the martial music.
still luv seeing the old man strutt his stuff bugle major ben lyons luv these clips , marine to the core but grow up around the green jackets and the silver bugles , high on a hill always helps me remember , piece of music you cant tire of hearing proud of you dad rip you deserve it
Hi Kenny, Your dad was my Bugle Major in 3 RGJ in 1985 when I joined the battalion. He was a great man and seemed to take all us young lads under his wing and shape us in to the fine men we all became. It was a honour to have known him. I hope you are all ok.
Been out the army some years now. Always make me proud to have been part of the light division. Best buglers in the world. I saw you John boy Morris. Ken Tumilty 1st battalion. Awesome
