Hot music training in the Middle East

Musn O’Brien

Musician Perry O’Brien is a member of the Band of The King’s Division. He was recently part of a short term training team along with members from the Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band sent to Kuwait to assist with music training of the Kuwait Army Band.

Maestro masterclass

The Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band were recently tasked to provide a short-term training team for the development and positive forward direction of the Kuwait Army Band. Aided by members of the Band of The King’s Division, a team of five personnel ventured to the middle-east.

Upon arrival at Kuwait Airport, we were hunted down in the crowd by Kuwaitis from the British Embassy. We were humbly escorted to the VIP lounge to drink Turkish coffee and Chai (drinks we were to consume thousands of during our stay) while our baggage was being retrieved and visas obtained on our behalf.  We met with our point of contact who briefed us on local etiquette, discipline and culture before moving to the Moevenpick Hotel. We were very well catered for at the hotel and we could see that the Kuwaitis were very grateful to have us over there.

Our first day with the band added another 12 glasses of Chai (an extremely sweet tea with extra sugar but no milk). We met the band who demonstrated their day-to-day schedule and performed how they usually would.  Their ensemble consisted of 2 ‘Maestros’, 17 trumpets, 2 Flutes, 12 Clarinets, 6 saxes, 4 Trombones, 3 Euphoniums, 2 Tubas and a 10-strong percussion section.

Our aim was to focus on the improvement of the ‘Maestro’s’ technique and confidence to enable them to carry on improving the band after we had finished our short time there.  This was no easy job for the Director of Music Captain Riley as the Maestros did not speak English. Captain Riley was no silver tongue in Arabic, either! However, the local translators from within the band did a fantastic job of conveying his lessons to the Maestros.

The band in Kuwait

Short term training for the Kuwait Army Band

Almost instantly - with the help of the team sitting within the sections, a stern approach to reducing dynamics and the number of musicians performing at one time being decreased - we established the progression of significant musical improvement and our ambitious goal of improving the standard of the Kuwait Army Band soon became vastly more realistic. They already produce an incredibly high standard of pipes and drums so there was no reason why the wind band element could not be as successful.

By the end of the first week, the Kuwait Army Band had demonstrated significant improvement and set up a meeting to perform for the Chief Of General Staff, Kuwait Army.  With the help of the brass quintet and under the direction of Captain Riley, the performance was a huge success; The Chief of Staff was very pleased with the improvement of the band and it was clear to see that the work of the training team was having a monumentally positive impact on the standard of musicianship.

Back to the classroom

Over the next couple of weeks, we were hosted by British Officers of the British Military Mission. Our team formed a brass quintet to allow us to perform as a small ensemble whilst we were in Kuwait. We performed with dozens of talented British children to raise money for a charity supporting orphans in Argentina.  We also performed at the Raddison Club for the public and one night in the desert near Iraq, with cyalume® (light sticks) being our only source of light – this was the most interesting performance I have ever been involved in.

We were also due to provide musical support at the Queen’s Birthday Party, but this was postponed out of respect for the late Margaret Thatcher.

We visited Kuwait English School and The English School to deliver educational workshops to classes of children.  This added another interesting dimension to our already diverse visit.  The children thoroughly enjoyed our lessons on all of the instruments, even if it was just the teachers that were old enough to remember “Pigbag”!

Our drivers were on call 24/7 and had our every need catered for before we could even ask.  We were made to feel comfortable and welcome everywhere we went, visiting museums, bazaars, beaches, traditional cafés and impressive national buildings. There were only a few square inches of Kuwait city that we didn’t get to see!

Overall, Kuwait offered an extremely interesting and valuable experience to each one of us.  Not only did the Kuwait Army Band benefit from the effective and positive direction we delivered, but we gained a wealth of knowledge in return.  It was amazing to see the effect we could have on the Kuwait Army Band and to see their improvement as a direct result of our input. I suppose the 35 degree sun, incredible hospitality and interesting culture were the few added bonuses to a very rewarding mission.

Military policeman, pilot, photographer…

Corporal Si Longworth @Si_Army_Phot

Corporal Si Longworth is one of only 38 trained British Army Photographers.  He left a career in aviation to pursue his passion for photography; capturing everything that military life has to offer. He is currently in Afghanistan as the Task Force Helmand Photographer, on Op HERRICK 18.

Those who follow me on Twitter will already know that I have been in Afghanistan for just over a month, and in that month I have managed to get out and about, visiting many of the locations where British troops are stationed. I have suffered at the evil hands of diarrhoea and vomiting and produced a handful of home-town stories – not to mention my first multimedia piece, which featured on the British Army Facebook page. I am going to take the time to write about my first month very soon, but it would be unfair of me not to give you a little insight into my career thus far. So please sit back, and try to stay awake…

The journey to Afghanistan was not unfamiliar to me, having done it twice before, but the job I have taken over was.

I wasn’t always an Army photographer. No Sir. I have been tinkering with cameras for years, but it is only recently that I decided to finish up my Army career as a ‘phot’. (‘Finish up’ as in the last few years – not commit career suicide.)

“How do you know there is a pilot in the room?”
“Don’t worry, he’ll tell you!”

Well, ladies and gentlemen, that’s what I was; an Army pilot. I have to get it out early, as no doubt I will be making reference to aviation in future posts (because I can’t help it, and because this blog series isn’t just about my life as a photographer; it’s a story of how I got here). In early 2012, after seven years as a qualified Lynx helicopter pilot, I decided that I wanted a change of pace, and I wanted to concentrate more of my efforts on the hobby I was passionate about: photography.

One amazing career; three different jobs

Throughout my Army career, I have made some great friends in the photography trade. Throughout every contact, meeting and occasional coffee (for ‘coffee’, read ‘beer’) with one of these mysterious men and women, I would always sit back and turn a little green with envy at their stories and experiences. To some people out there, the thought of demotion from Sergeant and the loss of flying pay may seem a little strange, and maybe it is. But the beauty of the British Army is exactly that: the ability to change jobs. Why get out when you can try something different? As an employee for over 17 years, starting out in the Royal Military Police (RMP), specialising in Close Protection duties, then applying for Army Pilot Selection, and now finally a photographer for the Army, I can see no greater incentive to stay in – or indeed join up. One amazing career, and three different jobs. Yes, of course I have suffered promotional setbacks at the hands of transferring, and will continue to as I reach the end of my career. But the balance to that scale is I have been kept enthusiastic and have loved – and I mean genuinely loved – every part of my diverse military career. Who else can say that?

Author during RMP Training in Northern Ireland. By WO1 Mike Harvey, RLC.

Here is an image taken (on film, of course) ‘back in the day’, during an RMP Close Protection training exercise at Ballykilner, Northern Ireland. What you may find interesting is that in Northern Ireland I lived and worked next to the Central Photographic Cell, and had invited a new-found friend, Corporal Mike Harvey (who used to process my ‘work-related’ (honestly) film from my Nikon F90x) to join us for the day and capture the action. He was, of course a Royal Logistics Corps Photographer. Today, WO1 Mike Harvey is the Command Master Photographer in the Army Photographic Trade.

So, where was I…? Oh yes, my friends who I have seen join the trade over the years. I had watched my best friend and successful Army shooter, Staff Sergeant Dan Harmer, travel to amazing places and capture fantastic images, just as the rest of our trade has done, and I wanted to become a part of that. One of the things I have noticed about photography is my reaction to it and how it makes me feel to look at a striking image. I could look at it and become more immersed in the story than I could with any video clip. That was what I wanted to do. I dreamed of people opening up papers and being stunned over an image I had managed to take. (I still live in hope…)

The seed, planted

It wasn’t until my first tour of Afghanistan that I bumped into a now friend and great photographer Corporal Steve Blake, who had sauntered into the Lynx detachment and asked me for a favour. He needed a flight and, as it happened, I wanted a picture. The mutual agreement and friendship was thus formed. He won’t mind me letting everyone know that I took him flying a few times, and convinced him that the angle of bank which made him scream like a little girl was required to allow him to get his pictures. (Sorry, Steve.) He took these pictures for me, and single-handedly – without knowing it, and just like the film ‘Inception’ – he planted the seed in my mind to transfer.

Author and his Lynx. By Sgt Steve Blake, RLC.

Author in his Lynx. By Sgt Steve Blake, RLC.

I had a few professional commitments to fulfill with my aviation role, including a second tour in Afghanistan. But under a year later, after a successful Army Photographic Selection course, I had started training at the Defence School of Photography at RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton, to become my current trade: an Army Photographer.

I still managed to snap a couple of sunrises while out and about, though. The pros of being an early-morning aviator, I guess.

Sunrise over a Helmand Lynx. By Sgt Si Longworth, AAC.

Flying into dawn – my co-pilot uses night vision goggles to aid in flying before the sun rises over the Helmand Desert. By Sgt Si Longworth, AAC.

So there you have it: a little more about me. I am sure you will all get to know me as time goes by; what makes me tick and what ticks me off. As I have said before, this is a journey, and we’ll take it together. Thanks for reading, until the next time…

More tc…

Read Si’s other blogs here: Life Through a Lens…

Follow Si on Twitter: @Si_Army_Phot

Army band tours the USA coast to coast – part three

Musician Paul Williams

Musician Paul Williams plays cornet in the Band of the Scots Guards, (Corps of Army Music) and is currently touring North America.

The Band of the Scots Guards (Corps of Army Music) and the Pipes, Drums and Dancers of 3 Scots (The Black Watch) have now been touring the United States for nearly seven weeks. So far we have played 33 shows in 32 venues. Mileage is fast approaching 10,000 and we have stayed in 31 hotels, covering 18 States. Nearly $38,000 has been raised in support of the Scots Guards Colonel’s Fund.

Amazing Grace

Our show, entitled British Isles of Wonder, provides the audience with a musical journey throughout the Home Nations. Music such as the Keel Row, Jerusalem, Men of Harlech and the Piper of Dundee are performed throughout the show. The Finale section starts with a Tribute to the Armed Forces which features the marches of the US Army, the US Navy, the US Air Force and finally the US Marine Corps. During the performance of these marches ex-members of these forces are invited to stand and be acknowledged by the remainder of the audience. The volume of the applause, whooping and cheering could only be heard in the US but is symbolic of the respect and thankfulness the American public feel for their Armed Forces.

The Finale piece itself was composed by Major Simon Haw MBE, our previous Director of Music. As well as Amazing Grace (a clear favourite with our audiences) it features the evening hymn Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, the Last Post and its American counterpart Taps. This provides a fitting ending to our evening of British military pageantry.

On Tuesday 12 February we performed at the the University of Illinois in Champaign- Urbana. On this occasion, our performance of the Finale was particularly moving as it was dedicated to Sergeant Shawna Morrison US Army, a graduate of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, who was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004.

Members of the Scots Guards at Graceland

We have been really fortunate to fit in some sightseeing too either on our few days off or on stops on journeys between hotels. We have been able to visit Graceland (the home of Elvis Presley) as well as the Gateway to the West, a horseshoe shaped building in St Louis representing the beginning of the West of the USA.

The quality of the venues and the warmth of the audiences have not ceased to amaze us and we count it a privilege to represent the British Army and the UK in such a way.

Army band tours the USA coast to coast – part two

Principal flautist Sergeant James Dutton

In part two of the Band of the Scots Guards’ (Corps of Army Music) tour of the USA, principal flautist Sergeant James Dutton tells us about more grand venues, defence diplomacy and visiting some of the greatest natural phenomena in the world.

Monday brought another travel day for the band – this time from Manassas Virginia northwards to Worcester Massachusetts. This represented the furthest north we had come since arriving in the USA, and an end to the retracing of a track up and down the East Coast that we had been following for the past couple of weeks.

It also heralded a rare luxury on this tour, being able to feel relatively stable and stay in the same hotel for three nights! By not living exclusively from a suitcase, it allows a little downtime for us and to recharge our batteries (and not just in our iPads).

The Mechanic’s Hall

Worcester seemed on the surface a town like many others we had visited – but it threw up a number of surprises. The show on Tuesday 29th was in the supremely beautiful Mechanic’s Hall a short walk from the hotel. This is one of the most historic music venues in the United States, and made a welcome change from the theatres that we had been getting used to.

Aside from the radical change of style of venue, we had to alter the show quite substantially, owing to the nature of the hall being designed for orchestral and chamber music performances. Logistically the biggest change was entering and exiting the stage because of the limitations of the narrow steps leading to the stage. Once on stage, room was at a premium! For the second time on this trip we cut the numbers of those marching – this time to 24. However the rest of the band formed up on the choir steps either side of the organ – in a position that was humorously named “Fraggle Rock”!

The beautiful Mechanic’s Hall.

Despite the changes to the performance, once again it was a rousing success and the audience were generous in their praise. One of the most popular segments in the show is the “Tribute to the Armed Forces” – and the sight of a very elderly woman in the front row rising to her feet, with the help of her walking frame to acknowledge the applause from the audience during the service marches was a very moving sight.

The Boston blowout

The following day was a true day off – no travel and no show. As on previous occasions, we were treated to the opportunity to visit a nearby city for the day. This time it was Boston, one of the most historic cities in America, and the chance was eagerly seized on. I don’t think the drama of our entrance into Boston though had been anticipated! About 20 minutes from our scheduled stop one of the front tyres of the coach decided it didn’t want to remain attached to the rest of the wheel and exploded with a resounding bang and a pungent smell of burning rubber…thankfully the driver Jeremy (who is driving the coach for the Black Watch) proved supremely calm and brought us to a relatively gentle halt at the side of the highway. A Massachusetts State Trooper arrived shortly afterwards followed by a tow truck, which dragged us unceremoniously to a nearby bus depot…

The dramatic entrance didn’t detract from our enjoyment of the day, and several hours were spent exploring the attractions of Boston, including the Freedom Trail which winds through the downtown area from Boston Common to Bunker Hill Memorial.

Another notable feature of the day was the unseasonably warm weather – a near record high of 16C which felt more like spring than winter. However this was to change radically in the coming days!

Shows in Binghamton and Schenectady followed, before we made a 300 mile trip inland to Buffalo, right on the border with Canada and the nearest major town to Niagara Falls. The morning of our departure from Albany was greeted with blue skies and -12C…and the promise of snow to come!

Niagara Falls

After a brief overnight stop in Buffalo with a show in another magnificent university theatre, we left early for the crossing into Canada. Sometime had been built into the schedule to allow for possible delays, but in the end it proved very quick and took less than 20 minutes. This afforded us a fantastic unplanned visit to see Niagara Falls. In a temperature of -18C and blue skies, with thick snow and ice around it proved just as majestic a sight as it promised to be. At this time of year it takes on an almost otherworldly feel, with icicles perhaps 40ft-long clinging to the rocks and huge blocks of ice being carried inexorably over the waterfall’s edge. A truly memorable visit.

Lance Corporal Glen Little at Niagara Falls.

The show in Toronto took place in the world famous Roy Thomson Hall – home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. A truly magnificent venue, it was again a resounding success – and the audience proved just as generous in their donations to the Colonel’s Fund charity as in their praise for the performers – it was a record night for the charity collection.

Defence Diplomacy

Our show in Ottawa was also a great success. It was testament to the popularity of the show that someone made a four hour flight to be in the audience! We were delighted to be invited to a reception afterwards hosted by Lieutenant Colonel Fran Chilton-Mackay, the Director of Music of the Governor General’s Foot Guards Band. In 2009, we had the pleasure of working with them during the Bermuda Tattoo, so it was great to be reunited with some familiar faces. We had the morning off in Ottawa before we left for Kingston, so we layered up and braved the -23C of a typical Ottawa morning! The sight of the Rideau Canal frozen over and used as an ice skating commuter route through the heart of the city was probably one of the more unusual sights that we would see on this trip!

The Director of Music and Band Sergeant Major of the Governor General’s Foot Guards presenting Major Yates with a regimental plaque

Defence Diplomacy also plays an important part in this tour, and we were very fortunate to receive an invitation to provide some background music for a drinks reception hosted by the High Commissioner at their official residence, Earnscliffe. Among the dignitaries present was the American Ambassador to Canada. A wind trio of Colour Sergeant Mike Hernandez (clarinet), me (flute) and Musician Elizabeth Smyth (bassoon) provided entertainment for the guests and were very well received. After another well attended show in Kingston, our brief journey into Canada was over and we had the prospect of another long travel day back in to the USA and Cleveland, Ohio.

Cleveland offered another magnificently well-apportioned venue in the Palace Theatre. The wings were so generous that we were able to form up as a full band offstage without having to wheel into position – a rare treat! Although not the wealthiest of cities, almost everyone in the audience donated what they could to the Colonel’s Fund, making it one of our most successful nights so far.

After two days spent in Cleveland, we endured two long travel days with shows in the evening in both Richmond, Kentucky and Detroit, Michigan before the first internal flight of the trip back down south to MemphisTennessee. This will be the furthest south and west we have been so far on the tour and will provide a change of scenery and climate for the band! We have been lucky so far to miss the worst of the winter weather, and watching the scenes unfold on the TV of the blizzards enveloping the North East of the USA, where we were only a matter of a few days ago, we can be thankful that we weren’t subject to the draconian restrictions on transport that were placed by several states.

Patrol base downsizing: a sign of the times

LCpl Hylands

LCpl James Hylands (39), from Shaw, Oldham is a TA soldier who is currently serving with 8 Troop, 73 Armoured Engineer Squadron (AES) on Operation HERRICK 17.  He deployed along with the rest of 21 Engineer Regiment (21 Engr Regt) as part of Task Force Helmand Engineer Group, at the beginning of September 2012. Whilst on tour the squadron is known as Engineer Close Support Squadron 1, which covers the northern areas of operation of Task Force Helmand (TFH).

Two weeks’ freedom

Nearly 16 weeks have passed and the time has come (and gone) for R&R (rest and recuperation) a break from the life at Patrol Base (PB) Clifton.  A build-up of excitement surrounds you in the run-up to your R&R departure date, but the need to stay alert and switched on in an ever-changing environment is forever in your mind.  The sun baked days with record breaking temperatures have now been replaced by cold cloudy days and even colder nights.  Temperatures in the minus figures during the night present a new catalogue of problems for the Clifton team.  Water during the night quickly freezes with pumps and motors struggling with the extra demand placed on them from frozen water. The huge need of washing water in the morning time quickly has the lads out of bed trying to solve the problems now presented to them.

Flown back to Camp Bastion for R&R three days prior to your departure date, you attend the mandatory brief, basically about behaving yourself and the dos and don’ts during your two-week break.  It must be a headache for the management; here we have predominately young outgoing men who need time to rest operating in a stressful and challenging environment for weeks on end – to then be presented with two weeks’ freedom with extra non-spent money in their bank accounts.

Oxford to Manchester

Historically within the military system holding rank has its privileges, higher the rank better the privilege that’s the way it generally works with the exception of ‘Space A’.  For people returning to the UK for R&R the time allocated is 14 days including your travel time, effectively less the travel time you get 12 days at home (on average).  Where Space A  comes into effect is if there is an aircraft returning to the UK, not full, the seats are given out to the lowest ranking person first to return home slightly earlier to commence their R&R normally (2-3 days if you are lucky), hence the movement back to Camp Bastion 3-4 days before your fly date.

The kit that you have been lugging around with you for the last couple of weeks is handed back in.  Your 20kg Osprey body armour is replaced with a lighter flap jacket and your helmet stays with you for the return home.  Your weapon which has been constantly by your side or under your bed while you sleep, is placed in the armoury upon your return.  To be honest, once everything is handed back in you feel like you have lost something, for the next day or two when you get home, you are looking were you have placed your weapon; leaving or losing a weapon in theatre holds high consequences.

From Camp Bastion you pick up an RAF aircraft direct to the Middle East, a quick changeover to a civilian aircraft and 18 hours later I was catching a train from Oxford to Manchester.

Transforming PB Clifton

Since November 2012 we have been waiting for a decision on the future of PB Clifton, is it to close?  Be handed over to the Afghan Army? Nobody really knew.  Just prior to my R&R, a decision was made that it would be downsized, restructured and handed over to the Afghan Army early 2013. So here I stand now, fresh from R&R, transported by a Merlin helicopter back to PB Clifton, looking out of the window, not recognising the place.

Sangars have been moved, Hesco walls removed, more walls constructed, the place has totally transformed – construction is going on all around me as I’m left on the ground as the chopper flies away.

I see Cpl Rothwell approach me with a smile, he can see I’m bemused by the whole surrounding area.  “Come on,“ he says, ”I will put the kettle on and explain all.” I have only been gone three weeks I think to myself.

The beginnings of the Orthodox Build Earth (mud build) built by the Locally Employed Contractors

Doing what Engineers do best: bridging

Lance Corporal Hylands at PB Clifton

LCpl James Hylands (39), from Shaw, Oldham is a TA soldier who is currently serving with 8 Troop, 73 Armoured Engineer Squadron (AES) on Operation HERRICK 17.  He deployed along with the rest of 21 Engineer Regiment (21 Engr Regt) as part of Task Force Helmand Engineer Group, at the beginning of September 2012. Whilst on tour the squadron is known as Engineer Close Support Squadron 1, which covers the northern areas of operation of Task Force Helmand (TFH).

Teaming-up to learn

With 8 troop’s recent achievements with the single story bridging task (Medium Girder 40-tonne load bridge) near Patrol Base (PB) Clifton, the next job to be tasked for us would be a bigger assignment, this time teaming up with our colleagues from 9 troop at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ouelette.

Planned in for just over a week, the rehearsal stage required our team to travel there via Camp Bastion to practice and learn a new type bridge as quickly as possible. This time it was a double story MGB (Medium Girder Bridge capable of withstanding 70-tonne loads) with 10 bays (number of bays denotes the span it needs to span over a crossing).

FOB Ouelette is located further north along the green zone from us, following the Helmand River. It falls under a different operating area,  ours being Nahr-e Seraj, it being Coalition Force Burma, which was originally part of the Sangin Valley district.  Out of all the areas, 73 Armoured Engineer Squadron (AES) are operating in theatre FOB Ouelette is renowned as being the most kinetic and certainly has a large insurgent presence in its area, hence it has to treated with caution and vigilance.  Upon arrival, you notice this difference straight away. Up to late September this year there has been no significant attacks, but the cautious presence is still maintained.

Nine troop lads have been really busy in this place in the past couple of months shutting down PBs and Check Points (CPs) within the area, constantly working out on the ground, sometimes under small arms attack; whilst performing their daily tasks.  Everyone seems to have a different story to tell, but they have genuinely enjoyed being there and have worked strong as a team, which was evident to me instantly.

The accommodation and work area was a good little set up (it must be an engineer thing) housed in its own little gated yard, with heated tents, ISO containers doubling up as offices and a 12ft x12ft  tent acting as a welfare room; complete with TV and PlayStation.  Some of us were located in this accommodation with them, the others in the empty Hesco Accommodation Bunkers located around camp.

The purpose of our stay was to practice the build and deconstruct of a double story MGB as quickly as possible, working as a mixed 26-man team, in order that we could provide vehicle access bridges to cross a nearby canal obtaining access into a local town – should it be required.

Pairing off into three sections left, right and centre of bridge, we practiced constructing and dismantling the structure until everyone could complete the task with their eyes shut.  All the guys now are fully up to speed with what is required of us and everyone knows the role they could play in any forthcoming operations.

Having now returned to PB Clifton we await any instructions to return to FOB Ouelette to complete the bridging tasks should it be required.

Elements of the Medium Girder Bridge

Lesson on the Medium Girder Bridge

Getting stuck into a practice build

Read about James here: Lance Corporal James Hyland

Scarlet and Gold of London town

Massed Bands of The Household Division perform the Scarlet and Gold concert at Central Hall, Westminster.

Musn Batai is a musician in the Band of the Irish Guards. During a normal working day he performs on the oboe and may play at state and ceremonial events across the capital and around the world.

Ride of the Valkyries

After a serious week of preparation for the Scarlet and Gold concerts, the Massed Bands of The Household Division, part of the Corps of Army Music, gave fantastic performances on the 22nd and 23rd of November at Central Hall, Westminster, with a versatile programme. Great soloists and breathtaking ensemble work from all the members of the band delighted the audiences.

I felt very privileged to sit in the band as the principal oboe and had a great pleasure to be part of this musical spectacular. The concert started with the National anthem followed by Wagner’s The Ride of the Valkyries, with the Fanfare players on the balcony, decorating the venue and filling the hall with their glorious sound. The opening was truly powerful and instantly gave an insight as to what the audience was to expect from the rest of the concert.

Following Gounod’s March Militaire we played a piece, which was in my opinion one of the highlights of the evening - Alfred Reid’s Armenian Dances which were originally composed for a concert band and there are truly challenging moments for all the instrumental parts; in particular woodwinds. The Band played extremely well and demonstrated its excellent skills.

The other highlight was the world-renowned film music from Spielberg’s Oscar winning drama Schindler’s List. I would like to mention Lance Corporal Rebecca White who played the solo violin with a superb taste and fantastic musicality. My part was not particularly busy in the piece so I had a chance to glance at the audience and notice that they were clearly ‘blown away’ by the unity of the ensemble and the soloist’s sensitivity. It was a real gem in our programme.

Massed Bands of The Household Division perform the Scarlet and Gold concert at Central Hall, Westminster.

Star Wars

The show had a sudden change after the solemn melody as the Corps of Drums, 2^nd Battalion, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment marched on. They made a spectacular show with use of ultraviolet lights while using fluorescent yellow drumsticks as the venue’s lights were switched off. The following marches made everyone stomp their feet and enjoy the traditional military music. I heard people whistle or hum the well known marches even when we went out for the interval. Upon return the Band performed Star Wars by John Williams. This piece also received support from the fanfares and the lightning display which again made this musical event more effective. It almost felt like the moments from the film, ‘Star Wars’ were brought into the auditorium.

The pipes are always loved, it was not different this evening either. The well known tunes played by the Pipes and Drums of The London Regiment, were very well received and set the mood to a very light hearted overture from the MGM Classic film ‘The Wizard of Oz’.

Massed Bands of The Household Division perform the Scarlet and Gold concert at Central Hall, Westminster.

Beautiful marches

The film music led us to the Guards Big Band’s performance of three pieces. They were led by Colour Sergeant  Jason Libby. I must admit this was the first time in my life I wished I could play a brass instrument or saxophone and be part of this ensemble. The superior playing was breathtaking. The members of the ensemble were completely unified and clearly had a great time performing. Their enthusiasm made everyone feel part of their show. Third piece, A Foggy Day in London also featured a soloist/singer, Lance Sergeant James Scott.

After the magnificent performance of the Big Band, the concert reached its finale which consisted of pieces such as Bizet’s Farandole, Handel’s See the Conquering Hero Comes and a very effective arrangement by Lieutenant Colonel Duncan Beat. The arrangement was a combination of Will Ye No Come Back Again and Auld Lang Syne, with the bugle call Last Post.

The audience seemed to love the show and I have no doubt that they will return eagerly in the future to this unique musical spectacle. I really hope that I shall be in the band again to take a part in this great event, as ‘Scarlet and Gold’ is one of the rare opportunities for the members of the band to engage with the public in the concert ambiance and share the beautiful marches and versatile music from all around the world.

Massed Bands of The Household Division perform the Scarlet and Gold concert at Central Hall, Westminster.

Home comforts in Patrol Base Clifton

Lance Corporal Hylands at PB Clifton

LCpl James Hylands (39), from Shaw, Oldham is a TA soldier who is currently serving with 8 Troop, 73 Armoured Engineer Squadron (AES) on Operation HERRICK 17.  He deployed along with the rest of 21 Engineer Regiment (21 Engr Regt) as part of Task Force Helmand Engineer Group, at the beginning of September 2012. Whilst on tour the squadron is know as Engineer Close Support Squadron 1, which covers the northern areas of operation of Task Force Helmand (TFH).

Change of scenery

The troop requirements at Patrol Base (PB) Clifton have taken a different turn of direction within the last week. Task requirements from further afield in Helmand have been made, and the original group of 28 men has now been reduced to ten to continue with PB jobs. For some members this will be a look at life in other Check Points (CPs)/PBs, and a change of scenery, which will break the monotony up of a six-month tour nicely, for others it will be the challenge of a new task albeit in a new location. Certainly up to Christmas it looks like troop movement to other areas will be happening, some members have been ear-marked for larger projects taking them into 2013 before we will see them again, they have already packed and gone.

PB life is a mixed bag of events to be honest; you have to experience it to appreciate the effects it can have. The full spectrum of emotions which humans display are touched in one way or another, from the highs of completing a task or being a dangerous environment to the lows of missing friends and family at home, all are experienced from one day to another here. The sight of poverty in the surrounding areas is evident and it often reminds you how lucky we are back home, essential basics and sanitation to locals are in denial but life just continues as normal.

Life and luxuries

As a quick insight into PB life, the run of the mill pace of life we have (excluding large tasks and projects) the days normally starts around 6.30am.  Your own physical training is the norm most mornings, which lasts around 45 minutes followed by a shave and shower. The shower facilities consist of a tent with shower heads dotted around inside it. Water is pumped from a bore hole well (deep in the ground) through a series of filter units (Stella meta units) into two 5000 litre water holding tanks (pillow tanks), from here it is feed into a kerosene heater which provides heat to the water. Outside the shower areas, directly to one side is the wash sinks. These are like large trough tubs with a number of taps attached providing warm water, it’s clean enough to drink but people choose not to.

Warm showers are a luxury.

The site has been winterised so is covered by large aggregate to aid in drainage, this in its self is a struggle to walk in from one area to another and can only be compared to walking in deep snow back home. The accommodation on camp consists of a row of ten-man tents located behind a series of blast walls; these provide ample room for cot beds which come complete with fly nets surrounding them. The floor is a plastic based surface which sits about 25mm high consisting of a flat surface with slots on top followed by a honey comb base underneath, this design in its self keeps it clean and any dust on the surface clears away quickly.

Home comforts – a proper toilet seat.

Electricity is supplied on site through mobile units 415v, 240v and 110v is available so electrical products can be used and charged up for personal use in the accommodation areas.  Toilet facilities are in the form of a wooden hut complete with a toilet seat inside; a chemical type bag is presented over the top of it which is later disposed of in a burn pit once used.  A ‘desert rose’ (urinal) is used frequently which is a deep hole with a drainpipe embedded in it, to which ‘wriggly tin’ roof sheets are used as a urinal draining away into the pipe, this in itself is adequate and clean enough for the usage it gets.

The cookhouse

Finally the cookhouse which co-incidentally is the lad’s favourite place is a tent housing a choice of food served daily on paper plates with vacuum packed sealed cutlery provided with every meal. Served three times per day there is plenty of choice and the standards are similar to a good hotel back home. I hope this has shown a light on the way we live until next time.

Read about James here: Lance Corporal James Hyland

Good plans don’t always go to plan

Lance Corporal Hylands at PB Clifton

LCpl James Hylands (39), is a TA soldier who is currently serving with 8 Troop, 73 Armoured Engineer Squadron (AES) on Operation HERRICK 17.  He deployed along with the rest of 21 Engineer Regiment (21 Engr Regt) as part of Task Force Helmand Engineer Group, at the beginning of September 2012. Whilst on tour the squadron is know as Engineer Close Support Squadron 1, which covers the northern areas of operation of Task Force Helmand (TFH).

‘Scrap Heap Challenge’

Well as a new week starts the job load changes. This week sees the construction of a platform for heavy equipment in aid of 39 Royal Artillery who join us in Patrol Base (PB) Clifton for the duration of Op Herrick 17. The initial design and order stage had been passed and the first load of much needed stores arrived promptly Monday morning, by locally employed contractors (LECs) selected to fulfil the task of delivering lorry loads of aggregate to complete the 21×10 metre Hesco construction.

LCpl Hylands Stripping out of the previous firing platform with a Medium Wheeled Tractor

Being my first tour and more to the point my first interaction with LECs I didn’t really know what to expect. A small team and I were given the task of searching the vehicles and speaking to the drivers before they were cleared to enter the PB. This, to be fair, was made easy as the locals co-operated with everything asked of them, back home in the UK the same process would have been a lot more difficult, but here went rather smoothly. What did catch my attention however, was the condition of the vehicles being used.

In a world of ‘hi-viz’ and ‘health and safety’, it brought a smile to my face to see vehicles which resembled something out of the TV series scrap heap challenge! Things were falling apart, leaking and patched up, but the trucks worked and, more to the point, delivered what we needed. As the saying goes ‘poverty is the mother of ingenuity’. Once tipped the plant crew set to work in the medium and light wheeled tractor distributing the aggregate up into small piles around the PB for when they were needed later on.

Filling mil 7 hesco

A delivery of mil 7 and mil 5 Hesco (large and medium sized baskets) from Main Operating Base Price meant the job could effectively start, so LCpl Lee Hill rounded the lads up for a job overview, tasking groups to work in various areas to ensure the platform was constructed as quickly as possible (5 days was the target). The existing platform which was in place was quickly pulled down by the plant and the ground levelled ready for the new build. What was required was a larger platform on which an old 432 tank launcher sat with a large firing range around it. All good plans don’t always go to plan and this was about to happen to 8 Troop.

LCpl Robb filling mil 7 hesco

 

‘Dressing up’

Due to a repatriation service at Camp Bastion, LCpl Lee Hill and other members who were good friends of the deceased had to pass the task over to the remaining troop members, LCpl Paul Robb stepped forward for the challenge, a TA member from 591 Independent Field Sqn who works in the civil service had chance to shine within the troop. The next problem to raise its ugly head on this job was a burst hydraulic pipe on the Medium Wheeled Tractor which took it out of action.

It was now estimated the original five-day window would now be a seven-day task with early starts/late finishes needed.  Mil 7 Hesco turned out to take for ages to fill with the remaining plant, the sheer volume of its design and the bulk required to fill it with aggregate was staggering it took the majority of the extended time. The outer top mil 5 was relatively easy to complete and by the end of day seven we were able to allow the 432 tank to mount the platform.  The job was effectively ready to begin albeit the surrounding landscape required ‘dressing up’ which has been planned in to tie with a maintenance day of the 432.

Seven days of hard work have passed. Lesson learned from the project on this occasion is always have a back-up plan ready for the unexpected eventuality, which in this case came twice for 8 Troop.

 

Golden Egg – the laying of a bridge

Lance Corporal Hylands at PB Clifton

LCpl James Hylands (39), from Shaw, Oldham is a TA soldier who is currently serving with 8 Troop, 73 Armoured Engineer Squadron (AES) on Operation HERRICK 17.  He deployed along with the rest of 21 Engineer Regiment (21 Engr Regt) as part of Task Force Helmand Engineer Group, at the beginning of September 2012. Whilst on tour the squadron is know as Engineer Close Support Squadron 1, which covers the northern areas of operation of Task Force Helmand (TFH).

Golden Egg – bridge task

Back home in the UK the run-up to Christmas will have begun. Adverts appearing on TV of so-called celebrities promoting their exclusive weight loss DVDs, all of which is marketed nicely when people historically work less and eat more during the Christmas period. All I can say is don’t waste your money. If want a serious workout with rapid weight loss join us in our non-equipment bridge task, alternatively known as ‘GOLDEN EGG’.

Running around in 20kg body armour or carrying your holiday suitcase with you at all times in heat of 25 deg lifting and moving heavy bridge parts in record time will have the desired results you are looking for! Physically and mentally demanding but extremely rewarding when complete is the best way of selling it. Headed up by Cpl Chilton the brief was delivered to the troops, “we will travel down to the green zone in convoy, the MGB (medium girder bridge) which is currently in place requires stripping out and rebuilding 15 meters to the right of its current location. While this is taking place, the new landing area needs prepping in record time ready to accept the MGB, this will be completed by the plant operators. The area is currently being cleared as we speak. The Royal Marines have provided a troop to provide security whilst we work.”

Day one went to plan and by 1600 hrs the troop was back inside PB Clifton ready for day two to commence.

Spr Senior and LCpl Nicholson

 

Hard at work

Not being a NEB (non equipment bridge) expert the one thing I learned quickly from the experienced lads, is the foundations consisting of abutments and steel girders which would span the flowing river, had to be precisely flat and level in place.  If they weren’t, the rest of the bridge which goes on top would be wrong and fit incorrectly, “measure twice complete once” I heard someone quote. Due to this, the next two days were a sequence of test-measure-adjust then continue, all with the help of a heavy duty crane supplied and operated by a local contractor.

By the start of day four, as a quick update, we were looking at an MGB in its temporary location being used constantly by the locals so not to disturb their pattern of life especially during the harvest period. A new flood defence was installed on the far side of the river to give extra protection in high waters, 6 abutments were fitted (3 either side of the river) levelled out and secure with ten ‘I’ section girders spanning in length of 12meters (just over 40 feet) linking the two together, all was going to plan.

Pulled out all the stops

The next stage of the operation, to give us a chance of getting within the five-day window, was a dual task on the NEB, splitting the troop down into half and half; one lot would be fitting the kerbs and wood along the bridge giving the backbone of strength, the other half would use the plant to deliver a smooth ramp for the entry and exit of the bridge. Once completed the final day was upon us in rapid time this would take the efforts of all the team to fit the wearing surfaces of the bridge. The wearing surface is the external surface of the bridge, the visual element, so appearance had to be everything. Each wooden run was individually cut at a angle, placed in position with equal spacers in between then nailed, ensuring all nails and fittings ran in the same sequence as you crossed the bridge.  It would and did leave a professional finish but it took time, by 1600 hrs on the final day a small element had to continue with the wearing surface.

A tractor drives over the finished bridge.

A few locals who were watching at the time helped out as they could see we really wanted to finish the project before it got dark that night.  The remainder of the troop had to form up in order that the MGB could be stripped out ready to be returned to Main Operating Base Price. Tired and weary from the last couple of days work, the troop pulled out all the stops in the final hurdle of dismantling the MGB. 1800hrs  came and all was finished, the locals were now viewing the rapid transformation to their landscape, within a few minutes the site was left complete and tidy as we mounted up in the vehicles. We headed back to PB Clifton, chuffed and relieved all was finished, as a reward Lt Morton gave us the next day off, no more 5.30am get-ups, a lie in… great!

The troup admire their handy work

Read about James here: Lance Corporal James Hyland