Bands, Drums and Music of The Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment
its Forebears and Successors

Ypres Day 1976, 50th Anniversary of the Presentation of the Silver Drums to the 1st Bn The East Surrey Regiment. Photo taken on the parade ground, 1st Bn The Queen’s Regiment, Albuhera Barracks Werl. Drum Major Colin Smith, Cpl Alan Warr.

The Queen’s Regiment

The Queen’s Regiment inherited a rich history of traditions including marches from the forebear Regiments. Some of these are given below for interest of readers.

The Soldiers of the Queen was the Regimental Quick March of The Queen's Regiment.
It is an arrangement of the popular song “Soldiers of The Queen” composed by Leslie Stuart in 1897. The song really came into its own two years later on the outbreak of the South African War.

Leslie Stuart was born at Southport in 1866. For fourteen years he was church organist at Salford and Manchester, and though he himself composed a quantity of church music his fame rests on his theatre music (the musical comedy ‘Florodora’) popular songs (Lily of Laguna, etc) musical training gave style, and a melodious quality to all of these songs which remain miniature classics of their kind. He died at Richmond, Surrey, in 1928.

The Caledonian March was the Regimental Slow March of The Queen's Regiment.

It was inherited from the Middlesex Regiment. (DCO) and was previously the march of the 57th and was introduced by General John Campbell of Strachur who was Colonel of the 57th Foot from 1780 – 1806, having previously commanded them.

The Queensman

This quick march was written by Captain D E Pryce A (Mus) TCL p.s.m. for the Presentation of Colours by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark on May 4th 1974 at Armoury House, London.

Band and Drums 1st Bn The Queen’s Regiment, in front of the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin 1971 (note the Berlin Wall). Bandmaster Tom Crighton, Drum Major Max Maloney.

The Queen’s Division

Another quick march composed by Captain D E Pryce it is the Quick March of The Queen’s Division.

The Glorious First, Queen Charlotte

A march composed by the Bandmaster Mr P E Hills for the Trooping the Colour Parade at Werl on The Glorious First of June 1979. Mr Hills later Lt Colonel P E Hills, the Senior Director of Music, The Guards Division, now retired.

Jubilee March and On Richmond Hill Baht’at, were both written by Mr J Wood a Bandmaster of the 3rd Battalion The Queen’s.

Mr Wood also composed the Fanfare The Queen’s Regiment. It is based on the Regimental Call and the first phrase of “The Soldiers of the Queen”.

Associated Marches of The Queen’s Regiment

Marches played at the discretion of the Commanding Officers’ of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th (Volunteer) Battalions are shown below.

Marches

The 2nd Battalion The Queen’s Regiment

The 3rd Battalion The Queen’s Regiment

The 4th Battalion The Queen’s Regiment

The 5th (Volunteer) Battalion The Queen’s Regiment

The Queen’s Volunteers composed by Mr E Clark MBE, Bandmaster of the 5th (Volunteer) Battalion Band.

In 1984 The Queen’s Regiment reduced to two bands. Prior to the disbandment all three battalions of The Queen’s Regiment were serving in the Province. The Regiment exercised the Freedom of Belfast. On 31st March 1984 the 2nd Battalion Band was disbanded and The Albuhera and Quebec Bands were formed. The parade took place at Ebrington Barracks, Londonderry Mr P E Hills was the senior Bandmaster, Mr R J Francis was Bandmaster of the 2nd Battalion, Mr B Cunningham Bandmaster of the 3rd Battalion. The Band of the 5th (V) Battalion was represented by Mr E T F Clark MBE.

© The Queen's Royal Surrey Regimental Association.