The Guards Division Corps of Drums Association

The Guards Division Corps of Drums Association

Webmaster Peter McCarthy BEM

Updated 18th August 2006

Photo taken at HM Tower of London on 17th June 2006 on the occasion of the Yeoman Warders celebration of the Queens Birthday.
The Corps was joined on this occasion by fellow Drummers from the HAC and also the Yorkshire Corps - following a musical display on the Waterloo Barracks Square all guests attending fell in behind the Corps and marched back to the Warders Mess for a Barbecue. The Corps is lead here by D/Major Warren Alexander- Pye HAC.

On Sat 22nd July the GDCODA played at the Garden party held by the Grenadier Guards Association Reading branch held at the home of their President Major Hon Jeremy Monson and his Lady.Having learned on the recce that the President remembered a march from his serving days he was invited to conduct it during the afternoon - Hazelmere ! Although playing under cover until approximately 1530 the weather then cleared up and we were able to conclude our programme at 1700 hrs with a Marching/Static Retreat programme - a grand day being had by all thanks to the Presidents generosity - our next event is a Practice session at Windsor on 3 Sep 06 followed by the Henley Show and Gren Gds windsor Branch Cocktail Party

This is a Coldstream Bn - mid 1800's and I believe in Waterloo Bks in the Tower - the main point of interest being the Mascot who also appears to be a Bb flute Player -

THE GUARDS DIVISION CORPS OF DRUMS ASSOCIATION.

Report on Completed Engagements to Date for 2006.

After several Practice Sessions at the Windsor Club during the early months of 2006, we commenced a series of Engagements starting in June and culminating at The Tower of London towards the end of December. First and foremost, a number of our Drummers along with several members of the Yorkshire Corps of Drums, attended yet another fine weekend at Bisley, 3rd.& 4th June, as guests of the HACDA Corps of Drums for joint practice and a couple of marching trips around the Bisley Camp. This is normally held over the first weekend in June each year, and is always a highlight in all our Calendars. Our grateful thanks for the regular invitation go to Martyn Pearson, and who always makes a great job of creating an enjoyable weekend.
Our own Corps of Drums have completed the first three engagements for this year, the details of which are as follows: -

Littlecote House Hotel. Hungerford. Berks. Sunday 11th.June 2006.

This is the third occasion that the Gloucestershire Branch of the Grenadier Guards Association have taken over Littlecote for a four-day Re-Union, attracting over 400 Grenadiers. This year called for a special reunion as part of the Regiment’s 350th Anniversary of unbroken Loyalty to the Monarchy. 
We had a very good turnout of 22 Drummers, made up of, 1. Piccolo, 7 Bb, 5 F, 6 S/D, 1 B/D, 1 Cymbals, and 1 Drum Major. We commenced our performance on Sunday 11th June at 10.00hrs, playing incidental Music for the gathering Grenadier Veterans and their Wives. This was followed by a Drum Head Service, for which we played for the required Hymn Singing, the Flute Playing was first class, and our own Silver Bugler, Chris Evans, played a fine Last Post and Reveille. We then formed up as for Marching ready to play for the Veterans March around the Hotel Lawns to finish with an eyes left March Past, which brought the proceedings to an end. Although it was a very hot day, and a little uncomfortable, our playing was of the highest order, and obviously appreciated by all the attendees of the Re-Union, and the organizers.

The Tower of London. Saturday 17th June 2006.

This prestige evening engagement for the Staff and Families of the Yeomen Warders, was to celebrate the 80th.Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen. Our Numbers, which included several guests from the Yorkshire Corps of Drums, and serving members of The HAC Corps of Drums totaled 28, made up of, 1 Piccolo, 10 Bb, 7 F, 6 S/D, 1 B/D, 1 T/D, 1 Cymbals, all very aptly fronted by our Guest Drum Major, Warren Alexander-Pye of the HAC. Needless to say, with numbers of good players like this, the volume and quality of playing was something to behold. We formed up outside the Yeoman Warders Mess and marched up the hill to the Quadrangle outside the Jewel House, on arrival at this point, it was most moving to see that the Irish Guards had turned out the Guard for our benefit, we then played a varied program of incidental Music, which was very much appreciated by an enthusiastic audience both young and old. On completion of the program, we marched back to the Yeoman Warders Mess, quite ready for a cooling drink and some good food. Before leaving the Tower, our host, Kevin Kitcher, arranged for us to see the daily spectacle of the Ceremony of the Keys.

Garden Party. Reading Branch Grenadier Guards Association, Saturday 22nd.July 2006.

After so many weeks of blistering sunshine, we turned up at this engagement to a bout of very heavy rain, which lasted for about two hours. The Venue was the Gardens of the Branch President, Major The Hon. Jeremy Monson, in the village of Hare Hatch, situated between Maidenhead and Reading. We had a respectable turnout of Drummers made up of, 1 Piccolo, 6 Bb, 5 F, 4 S/D, 1 B/D, 1 Cymbals, 1 D/M. Due to the rain, our first session was played under Canvas, but fortunately by the time we were due to Beat Retreat, the rain had stopped and we were once again blessed with sunshine. We played the Retreat Marches, on the March through an avenue of trees, and up to the Party Area. Our Silver Bugler Chris Evans sounded a fine Retreat, after which we finished our program with incidental Music around music stands. During the afternoon proceedings, we were well fed, watered and generally looked after under the watchful eye of Mrs. Monson.   As with all our previous engagements, the quality of playing was outstanding by all stands, although special mention should be made of the five F Flute players, so nice to hear such a strong balance with the Bb Flutes.

Congratulations to all who played at the various engagements, each one a success, and without doubt enhancing our reputation as one of the best Corps of Drums around today.

Peter Taylor.
Hon Secretary The Guards Division Corps of Drums Association.