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Military Musicians

Legasee’s Military Musicians Project explores the vital role of music in the British Military. From battlefield morale to state ceremonies, military musicians have shaped history. Through veteran interviews and community engagement, this project ensures their legacy and the story of Kneller Hall lives on.

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An interview with

John Huggins

John Huggins is the current serving Corps secretary at CAMUS and was a great help...
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An interview with

Kevin Roberts

Kevin Roberts was Lieutenant Colonel and the Principal Director of Music for the Army when...
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An interview with

Gordon Turner

Gordon Turner provided some fascinating detail about Kneller Hall just post-war. A tricky one to...
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An interview with

Gilbert Beck

Gilbert Beck started out as a Band Boy back in 1948. He ended up travelling...
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An interview with

Eddie Pickering

In 1982 Major Eddie Pickering became the Bandmaster of the Cheshire Regiment having served in...
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An interview with

Steve Sheeran

Steve Sheeran is a serving Sergeant in The Honourable Artillery Company based in London. During...
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An interview with

Chase Bridge School

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An interview with

Norman Rogerson

Norman Rogerson joined the armed forces in 1957 and left in 1984 having reached the...
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An interview with

Phil Shannon

Discover how a youngster from a very musical family in Ireland makes his way up...
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An interview with

Dee Palmer

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An interview with

The Bugle Calls

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An interview with

Maisie Lee

Maisie Lee was a trumpet player in the band of the Parachute Regiment. She had...
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About Military Musicians

For centuries, music has been at the heart of military life—boosting morale on the battlefield, leading troops into action, and representing the British Military at ceremonial and international events. Military musicians are both soldiers and performers, combining their craft with service to their country.

At the core of this project is Kneller Hall, the historic home of the Royal Military School of Music in Twickenham. For over 150 years, it trained musicians for the Corps of Army Music, shaping generations of military performers. Though the school closed in 2021, its legacy endures.

To honour this heritage, Legasee partnered with Chase Bridge Primary School in Twickenham, engaging students in the history of military music and its local significance. The project included a visit to Kneller Hall and an oral history interview with Major Roger Swift, a wonderful veteran with great stories to tell.

Through these recordings, we ensure that the voices and contributions of military musicians are preserved for future generations.

Are you a teacher?

Download our Military Musicians teaching resource...

Educational Resources - Longdendale
An interview with

Gordon Turner

Gordon describes his distinguished musical career throughout his many years in the army.

Gordon began learning to play the cornet at aged 10, while many of his friends were out playing football. After leaving school, he successfully applied to the Royal Engineers at Chatham at aged 14 and was subsequently accepted as a pupil at Kneller Hall despite being only 14 years old. After 18 months, he succeeded in his exams and returned to Chatham. While there, he was supported to continue his education and studied Music at Trinity College. In 1956, he was accepted back at Kneller Hall, although considered too young for a studentship, but put in for the 6-month exams where he came top of his group. He subsequently took on a bandmaster roll at aged 25, becoming the youngest in the army to achieve this. Gordon goes on to describe his time as bandmaster and the rich variety of opportunities that came his way, including serving in Germany. Ultimately, Gordon became Professor of Band Arranging, Harmony and History Music at Kneller Hall. In the last months of his career he met Princess Anne, who was then Colonel in Chief of his regiment. She was instrumental in organising a celebration of his work in London before he retired.
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Chase Bridge School

A short film to celebrate the visit to Kneller Hall by the superbly well behaved pupils [and teachers] from Chase Bridge primary school.  Thanks very much to the volunteers and veterans [Len Tyler, Roger Swift and Sally George] for taking the time to make this fun and educational visit possible.
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Service:
An interview with

Norman Rogerson

Norman Rogerson joined the armed forces in 1957 and left in 1984 having reached the rank of First Class Warrant Officer and Bandmaster. Whilst honing his instrument skills at Kneller Hall, he was able to enjoy playing music alongside his other passion - motorbikes.
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
An interview with

Dee Palmer

An interview with

The Bugle Calls