Band of the 43rd Royal Tank Regiment
Fusilier Volunteers Band
Northumbrian Band
Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Cap badge of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Active1951–Present
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeMilitary Band
Garrison/HQSaint George's Army Reserve Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne[1]

The Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers is an Army Reserve military band part of the 5th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

History

In 1951 the Band of the 43rd (6th (City) Battalion, The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) Royal Tank Regiment, or simply the Band of the 43rd Royal Tank Regiment was formed in Newcastle upon Tyne. In 1956 as part of the reductions of the Royal Armoured Corps, the 43rdRTR was redesignated as the 6th (City) Btn, RNF. In 1967, after the reductions of the Territorial Army (TA) after the 1966 Defence White Paper, the battalion was disbanded and concurrent amalgamated with the 4th/5th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers to form A (Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) Coy in the Fusilier Volunteers.[2][3] The band followed suite, joining the Fus Volunteers, becoming the Band of the Fusilier Volunteers.[3][4]

Though the Fusilier Volunteers sat under the TAVR IIA category (meaning it could deploy as a battalion if mobilised), the band was placed under the TAVR IV category (UOTC and bands).[5]

Following the formation of the 6th (Volunteer) Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in 1975, the band transferred to the new unit and was redesignated as the Northumbrian Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.[6] Following another reduction of the TA in 1999, the band dropped the RRS suffix, while joining the new Tyne-Tees Regiment.[3]

Following the disbandment of the later regiment, the band became the Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers on 1 April 2006, and joined the reformed 5th (Volunteer) Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.[3][6]

The band is currently based at St George's Barracks in Newcastle upon Tyne.[1]

Organisation

The current band is separated into three 'ensembles':[3]

  • Marching Band — performs at numerous Royal, Civic, Public, and Private Engagements
  • Fanfare Trumpeters — provides a Regal opening for that more prestigious Occasion
  • Brass Quintet — provides a wide selection of music for the more subdued event

Notable performances

In December 2013 the band, joined by members of the Northern Band of the Royal Corps of Signals, Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band, Band of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment to perform at Gateshead Metrocentre. Their performance included jazz and Christmas tunes.[7]

In April 2017, the band lead the 5th Military Intelligence Battalion during a home coming parade in Berwick-upon-Tweed.[8] Later in June the band performed at the Newcastle Military Show, showing off their musical talents by playing the "British Grenadiers" and "Blaydon Races" while on a carousel.[9] In June 2018 they returned performing the same tunes on a ferris wheel.[10]

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 "Army Reserve Centre, St George's Barracks, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1DF". Army Careers. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  2. ↑ "6th Battalion, The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers [UK]". 20 October 2007. Archived from the original on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Band of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers". 14 October 2008. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  4. ↑ "5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers [UK]". 21 October 2007. Archived from the original on 21 October 2007. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  5. ↑ Frederick, p. 326.
  6. 1 2 "6th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers [UK]". 17 October 2007. Archived from the original on 17 October 2007. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  7. ↑ Flashmob of British Army musicians surprises Christmas shoppers in Gateshead's Metrocentre, retrieved 31 March 2021
  8. ↑ "Did you know the FUSILIERS had a Regimental Band?". First Fusiliers – Facebook. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  9. ↑ "You might have missed the FIFTH FUSILIERS Band on the carousel yesterday, but today is your last chance to see the mighty FIRST FUSILIERS WARRIOR IFV at the Newcastle Military Show - why don't you take your Dad for Father's Day!?". First Fusiliers – Facebook. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  10. ↑ "The Fusilier Band demonstrating what adaptable military musicians they are!". First Fusiliers – Facebook. 24 June 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2021.

References

  • Frederick, J. B. M. (1984). Lineage book of British land forces 1660-1978 : biographical outlines of cavalry, yeomanry, armour, artillery, infantry, marines and air force land troops of regular and reserve forces (Volume I). Wakefield: Microform Academic. ISBN 978-1-85117-007-4. OCLC 18072764.
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