Already an accomplished musician, Eddie Pickering joined the 50th Signal Regiment Band of the TA as soon as he left school. After progressing through various short-term roles he joined the 1st Royal Tank Regiment, with whom he spent two years based at Catterick Garrison then four years in Germany.
Eddie then enrolled at Kneller Hall as a student bandmaster, and he shares his memories of the privileges and pressures of the course. On successful completion of his studies, Eddie was posted to the Cheshire Regiment, with whom he spent the next 23 years of his career.
Eddie shares details of some of the incredible events and diverse venues around the world at which the Cheshires played. He also recalls the devastating bomb blast at the Droppin Well in December 1982 when they were stationed in Ballykelly, Northern Ireland; and talks about the overwhelmingly emotional reception of the band at their first engagement after the blast later that same week.
Eddie’s recollections give a wonderful insight into the life and career of a regimental bandmaster, and it’s a privilege to hear him talk about – as he describes it – his dream job: a role he held for more than a quarter of a century.