
Thank you for the latest edition of
have read the previous editions but the article on
music caught my eye this time.
I started in Life Boys under Ivy Clark, Vera Bowbeer
and Will Ward (Snr) around 1962/63 moving to the
Company in 1965 under the Captaincy of Peter
Knights until I left in 1970/71.
Two things I remember about Life Boys were the
memory verse at the end of Matthew 28 and the
fact that it was through Vera that I had my first
piano tutor.
In those days the Lord's commissioning was relayed
as going to foreign parts as did Owen Clark and
later David Hurford. Today, of course, we recognise
that it actually means anywhere one finds oneself,
even here in Rustington, West Sussex.
As for the piano, I started that at the age of 9 and
played for my first Drill Parade around the age of
13/14/15. By that time I had taken up the organ as
well. I also sang in the choir at Longley Road, first
as a treble, moving down to Alto then to the back
row joining the basses.
Many's the time I have played "We Thank Thee O
Our Father", "Underneath the Banner" and "Will
Your Anchor Hold". I still play both piano and organ
at my local church on alternate Sundays; sometimes
modern songs from Mission Praise but sometimes
older hymns and really enjoy serving our Lord in
that way.
The discipline of Fred Bateman (and occasionally
Rolly Clark) in teaching drill on a Friday night has
stayed with me over the years.
It was interesting a couple of years ago at work to
be on a First Aid Course and having to use a Resusi
Annie for the first time in nearly 35 years. It was
like riding a bicycle to remember where to put the
hands, pinch the nose etc - thanks to Will Ward
(Jnr) and Peter Ellis.
I've lost touch with all those in the Company at the
same time as me but have met up with a few of the
older guys in recent years especially at Peter's
Thanksgiving Service. Please give Daphne my very
best wishes and those of my sister Anne (who was in
GLB/GB at the same time).
I had a chuckle to myself at Dave Richardson’s
comment about singing some of the older hymns
that we used to have on Drill Parades, at Bible Class
and on Church Parades… and those Battalion
Parades at the Methodist Central Hall and later at
the Granada cinema… and the forming up on
Tooting Bec Common. Oh the memories!
I hope you get a good response to your comments
on singing so that we might do something in June
2012. I'll put the date in my diary in the hope of
being there. The only comment I would add is why
should the singers be tucked away?!
Anyway, thanks for reading this and for your efforts
in the production of Reflections
More Musical Talent
More Musical Talent More Musical Talent
More Musical Talent
Alan Hemsley writes on music and
memories
riding a bicycle to remember where
to put the hands, pinch the nose etc -
thanks to Will Ward (Jnr) and Peter
Ellis.