Band of the Royal Armoured Corps
Active2014–2021
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeMilitary Band
RoleMusical and Medical Support
SizeArmy Band
Garrison/HQPiave & Bapaume Lines, Catterick Garrison

The Band of the Royal Armoured Corps is a marching band of the Royal Corps of Army Music within the British Army. Although one of the newest bands their traditions go back can be traced to before 1939. Following the 2020 reorganisation of the RCAMUS, the band was disbanded, forming an element of the new British Army Band Catterick.

History

The current band was formed in 2014 when the two former bands of the corps were merged. Those two bands being the Light Cavalry Band and the Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band.[1]

From 22 to 24 June 2014 the band participated in a small tour through Austria, Germany, and finally The Kingdom of the Netherlands. The band along with members of the Queen's Dragoon Guards participated in the march in remembrance of Kaiser Franz Joseph, who was Colonel-in-Chief of the 1st (King's) Dragoon Guards. Their final stop was in Bad Ischl where they had a small parade commemorating the centenary of World War I.[1][2]

On 18 July 2014 the band participated in the re-designation parade of the 1st (United Kingdom) Division and participated in a small parade.[3] In early November 2014 the band along with members of the Band of the Princes of Wales' Division went to the Falkland Islands to participate in the local Remembrance commemorations.[4] The second part of the band deployed to Afghanistan on an eight-day tour. Three members played Reveille and the Last Post for the US troops stationed in New Kabul Compounds Camp.[5][6]

On 10 May 2019 the band performed in Saint Peter Port, Guernsey to support the island's liberation day during World War II.[7] On 13 May 2019 the band performed in Berlin for the 70th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift.[8]

As part of the 2019–20 reorganisation of the then Corps of Army Music, the band joined the Band of the King's Division and Band of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers to form the new larger British Army Band Catterick. However, the bands still maintain their individual traditions, while their uniforms have become standardised.[9][10][11]

The band is currently located at Piave & Bapaume Lines, Catterick Garrison.[11][12]

Organisation

Today the band is separated into five "sections":[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "The Band of The Royal Armoured Corps - British Army Website". 12 September 2017. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Bad Ischl 22-24 June 2014 - British Army Website". 5 February 2017. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Herford parade - British Army Website". 15 September 2017. Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  4. ^ Falkland Islands 2014
  5. ^ "Falkland Islands 2014 - British Army Website". 6 February 2017. Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Afghanistan 2014 - British Army Website". 5 February 2017. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  7. ^ Band Celebrates Liberation Day
  8. ^ "The band are currently on their way back to the UK following yesterday's very successful performance in Berlin to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Berlin airlift". Facebook. 13 May 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Forthcoming Events". Friends of The Museum of Army Music. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Bands of the Corps". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  11. ^ a b "British Army Band Catterick". Facebook. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  12. ^ "Contact us - Band of the Royal Armoured Corps". 15 September 2017. Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
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