REGIMENTAL DRUMS

We hold in the Regimental Collection at North Bandiana a base drum and a side drum. The base drum has ‘8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles’ painted on the drum skins. The story however falters there. Did the regiment have a band and these two objects are all that remains of its instruments, or did we only ever have a very small drum corps? One clue came from a conversation one ANZAC Day in Albury, 2004, with John Simpson who served with 8/13 VMR 1948-1954.

Base Drum held in the 8/13 VMR Regimental Collection along with a side drum . When and in what capacity they were used we do not know, but would very much like to.

John told of the first stuttering start of an 8/13 VMR Band and how he came to join the regiment. He was playing in the East Kew Citizens’ Band when Lieutenant Colonel Tom Fogarty turned up at band practice one night. Tom Fogarty was CO of 8/13 VMR, a recently formed tank regiment. One of his officers was Jack Bramwell, ex-2/8th Armoured Regiment, as was Tom. Jack Bramwell’s father was bandmaster at East Kew so when Tom Fogarty expressed a desire to have a regimental band, Jack said “What about my father’s band?”  Colonel Fogarty duly went along and explained his need of bandsmen. John and several others joined up, but unfortunately no cornet players could be persuaded to do so.  So, Colonel Tom Fogarty’s dream of a readymade band died a natural death and Simpson& Co were transferred to Recce Troop, HQ Squadron. John became the CO’s driver.

Side drum which by its paint design and colours would appear to match the Base drum marked 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.

So there was an intention to form a band but did it proceed beyond the conceptual stage, and if not how did the drums come about? These handsome musical instruments are to go on display in the 8/13 VMR History Room at Simpson Barracks, but what is their story? Do any of our readers know? If you do contact us and let us know.