22nd September 1989

[Sticky Blue]

By Sir Martin Garrod CGRM:
The men who perpetrated this crime were not freedom fighters nor idealists, nothing of the sort, we are talking about thugs, extortionists, torturers, murderers and cowards - the scum of the earth. The sacrifice of our magnificent musicians will not be in vain, our fine Band Service will play on and we will emerge stronger and more determined that ever before to end and destroy this foul and dark force of evil.

A week after the Deal Bombing on 29th September the Band of HM Royal Marines, The Royal Marines School of Music, Trained Ranks of RM Deal and members of the RM Band Service under training stepped off to parade through Deal. Gaps were left in the ranks of the band to show where we had lost comrades.

• BdCpl John (Andy) Cleatheroe
  BdCpl Trevor Davis
  BdCpl Dave McMillan
  BdCpl Dean Pavey
  Musn Mick Ball
  Musn Richard (Rich) Fice
  Musn Richard (Taff) Jones
  Musn Chris Nolan
  Musn Mark Petch
  Musn Tim Reeves
  Musn Bob Simmonds

I'll be raising a glass to your memory... Rest in peace lads

[Rotary Booty]

Well said Sir Martin Garrod, but now the non-repentant 'scum of the earth' walk the streets, and hold interviews with the media!

I'll be joining Sticky Blue tomorrow in raising a glass to those Royal Marines Bandsmen who were killed in such a cowardly way. How could anyone justify what happened at Deal Barracks that awful day? I was serving in Germany at the time, and the news hit me like that of Kennedy, Diana and 9/11. You just can't comprehend that such a thing could happen.

RIP indeed lads. Never forgotten.

Aye, Derek

[harry hackedoff]

"Lest we forget,"
What twisted logic can justify this?

Aye,

[Guest]

Sticky, I`ll raise a glass mate, as you know, I knew quite a few of those Bandsmen, Andy Clitheroe was always bringing his car into the MT workshops, for yet another service. I can remember i was in London when this cowardly act was commited, and rang all the former bootnecks i could, all were shocked.

Rest In Peace.

[chunky from york]

Although I never Knew them:-


'To absent comrades'

[JR]

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them

Aye JR

[Rogue Chef]

Ahoy there!
I was on SCC, on Woodbury Common when the news was broke to us. That was a sickener. Put everything into perspective.

RIP Royal.

[Artist]

To absent friends.

Artist

[oakers2]

To absent friends,

your memory shall never fade.

[Mike]

I'll raise a Glass Sticky... God Bless em... Members ir the finest Military Band in the World

[Jim T]

Have sat here for an hour trying to think of something to write. I feel that I should, but meaningful words escape me. I'll drink a tot to them all tonight.

Jim T

[Andy O'Pray]

Rest in peace. You are remembered.

Aye - Andy.

[spitfire]

Like Jim T, I'm struggling to think of anything appropriate to say, I can remember lying on my pit at Stonehouse when I was told, I'd been on guard duty all night, I just felt sick.

I'll have a drink tonight, and as others have said,

"TO ABSENT FRIENDS"

[North Sea Tigress]

I was in the kitting up store at HMS Raleigh when the news came on the radio. The entire camp was shellshocked. I will never forget it.

Rest in Peace lads.