| "Ian Dowson Page 2" |
A Member of the
Yorkshire Corps of Drums
Yorkshire Corps of Drums
In 1967 we went to Canada and it was all infantry training, no mechanical! In between our training, we performed in full Home Service Order and Bearskin at Calgary Stampede which as a young drummer was a great experience
1969 saw us posted to Munster as part of BAOR. I qualified as an APC Driver, completed a Drill & Tactics course and was promoted to L/Cpl. I went on a German Language Course and joined the Btn Int Section completing the various courses that went with the job. After completing a parachute course I became a member of RAPA. Unfortunately the 1st 18 months in Munster saw a decline in drumming as other commitments took priority, mainly NI. The Drums took Home Service and carried out a few engagements, the shining light in Munster was the enthusiasm and in our own time, mainly evenings, we got together for practice. As the tour neared its end we began practising once again for Public Duties on our return to Chelsea in 1972.
Publicity shot on HMS Maidstone in NI. I/C Snatch Squad
While in Chelsea I attended an Army Outwood Bound Mountaineering Course and was selected for an expedition to climb the Italian Alps.
I joined the London Fire Brigade Diving Club and attained my BSAC 2 completing a number of further Army diving courses.
The Drums continued to flourish despite NI and training on Dartmoor, Otterburn and Thetford although Washington Greys was never played down the road again. At this time the Bn was presented with 6 sets of Northumbrian Pipes to cement the relationship with The Coldstream Guards; Brick Wall and I volunteered for a course to learn to play the pipes held just outside Newcastle upon Tyne.
In 1974 we were posted to Cyprus and the UN, shortly after my arrival I was sent back to NI for a month and upon "my return to Cyprus the Turkish Invasion took place."
