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COMPANY NOTES
These notes must be started by congratulating Drum-major Bryant and Sgt. Watkins on passing with honours the P.T. Course held at Aldershot
from 7th April to 17th April, 1959. Both these lads returned with an excellent report and gained the coveted "crossed swords". Well done
George and "Whacker"!
My thanks are due to C.S.M. Hutchins of the 3rd East Anglian Regiment for his good work in the Company; he has made a great difference to
the smartness of the Company. Our spring and summer training is now well under way and except for the unavoidable interruptions that occur
we are carrying out a very satisfactory training programme. The strength of the Company is eighty but we shall be losing one or two during the
summer but should maintain an average strength of seventy during the year.
Now we are in our fourteenth year and they have been very eventful with some disappointments but many successes to our credit. The results
of the training given in citizenship, leadership and esprit de corps are shown in the many letters received from old boys who have been members
of the Company. It is this standard of efficiency and loyalty to School and Company that all new members of the Company must maintain.
On Sunday, 2nd August, 1959, we shall be going to Thetford for our annual Battalion Camp. This will be different from the ordinary run of
camps, as it is planned to have two two-day adventure exercises during the week. Apart from the comradeship of camp life much will be
learned from the event of the year to which all look forward.
On the 11th May, 1959, L/Cpl.'s R. Smith and I. Smith attended the Hoddesdon Youth Rally and service and were complimented on their
smartness and general bearing. A Civil Defence exercise was carried out in Woodhall Park on the 24th May, 1959, and a number of cadets
took part. A letter of praise from Commander Herepath on the way these lads carried out their tasks was most gratifying.
The Deputy Commandant, Lieut.-Col. Payne, visited us on Friday, 29 May, 1959, and took part in our evening field exercises. I was very
pleased that he should join in and act as an umpire; much was learned from his observant remarks at the end of the exercise.
Major Simons, T.A., visited us on Friday, 22nd May, 1959, and was accompanied by our adjutant, Major Marshall. This was the Annual
Training Inspection and Major Simons was very impressed with the inspection and was most complimentary.
.Major "A. Vigus, M.B.E., in company with Captain Davis visited us on Friday, 5th June, 1959, and we were pleased to see them taking an
interest in us.
The following promotions have been made since my last notes : Cpl. Bryant to Drum-major; Cpl. Watkins to Sgt.; Cpl. Bassett to Sgt.; L/Cpl.
Cann to Cpl; L/Cpl. Campbell to Cpl; L/Cpl. Stevens to Cpl; L/Cpl. Harrington to Cpl; Cdt. I. Smith to L/Cpl; Cdt. R. Smith to L/Cpl;
Cdt. G. Bishop to L/Cpl; Cdt. Chaytors to L/Cpl; Cdt. Medland to L/Cpl; Cdt. Meek to L/Cpl.
There was no Cadet training from the 2Oth June, 1959, to 6th July, 1959, owing to "Wimbledon fortnight". Most boys were on duty as ball-boys.
I wish all ranks a very happy summer holiday wherever they go.
A. P. CULVER, Captain O.I.C.
CORPS OF DRUMS NOTES
In my last notes 1 welcomed Cpl. G. Bryant to the honoured rank of Drum-major in place of Richard Furnise who left for a situation; now I
have to say goodbye and thanks to Drum-major Bryant who has now left us to go to a situation in London.
George Bryant was an excellent N.C.O. and as Drum-major he played his part in keeping the Corps of Drums up to standard by his fine
example of smartness and leadership. It is always sad for me to lose a Drum-mapr, especially as I have been so fortunate in previous
appointments to this responsible position. However, I welcome Cpl. Stevens who has now been appointed in place <>l George. He will have
to be on his toes to maintain the high standard required for this important position, but I know that he will do his best.
Cdt. Cachrimanis, who was a drummer, has now left us and he too was a most reliable and efficient lad. We have accepted quite a number of
new boys and they are doing very well and should be with us for quite a long time. I would remind thorn that they must always strive to reach
the high standard required, as we are well known and have a reputation of smartness and good playing throughout the county.
This year we have had to refuse more engagements than we have accepted in previous seasons, which alone speaks well for the Corps of Drums.
Keep it up boys, my heart burns with pride for you! Our first engagement was at Letch worth on the 9th May, 1959, when we gave a display of
figure marching and the Beating of the Retreat at the Young Farmers' Rally. Major Darling was so impressed by the display that he sent a very
useful cheque which will help to maintain our equipment.
On the 16th May, 1959, we gave a display at the Fete held for the Hertfordshire Spastic Society. This was well received by all present.
We went to Puckeridge for the British Legion Fete and paraded through the village before and after the display. This, too, was a great success
and the boys were well entertained with refreshments at the White Hart Hotel with pop before and after the display. It was a wonder the buglers
Were able to blow!
We went to Northweald on the 30th May1959, to give a display at the Essex Traction Rally and Fete and thee the boys were received with
great enthusiasm and were able to speak to Mr. Terry Spinks the boxer.
On Sunday evening, 31st May, 1959 the Corps of Drums gave a display at Hertford Castle, and received many congratulations. We took part in
the Stevenagc Youth Congress on the 6th June, 1959, and this was the last parade for Drum major Bryant. The lads did very well and gave
Of their best We look part in a parade at Walkem on 14th June and led the parade which was held on the occasion of presenting a plaque of
thanks to the people of Walkern for their kindness and cooperation to the Battalion detachments when camping at \\'alkermOn the 20th June,
1959, we to Harlow in the afternoon and to Hertingfordbury in the evening; and on both engagements the boys acquitted
themselves well We were at Harlow again on the 7th July, 1959, at a Barnardo Helper,' League fete and here, too, the lads were on the top
line and were well received.
The last engagements before the annual camp were at Westmill and Port Vale House, where the high standard was maintained and the displays
were very much appreciated.
I do feel that at time it seems that we are blowing our own trumpet but where praise is due it should be given; 1 always criticise and point
out faults where necessary so a word of praise does no harm.
I hope that all ranks will have a very happy summer holiday wherever they may be going and will return full of beans for further engagements.
A. P. CULVER, Captain O.I.C.
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