Daedalus Heritage

Memories & Recollections - a letter from Martin Ruffle

Martin Ruffle worked for a number of years at HMS Daedalus and has fond memories of his service there. Some of these memories have been recorded in a letter of May 2008, an extract from which can be found below

'I was part of the Royal Marine Band (RMB) based at Daedalus until they were moved to Yeovilton Air Station in the late ‘70s. We were Flag Officer Naval Air Command or F.O.N.A.C. Band as we were known.

Our duties were ceremonial as well as providing music for divisional dinners, parades and the Telegraphist Air Gunners memorial service held annually on Lee sea front at their memorial.

On joining the European Economic Community. we were sent to Brussels to amalgamate with various military bands to provide music for a military pageant in the capital. We performed the music Battle of Waterloo wearing uniforms that were worn by extras from the film Zulu, which were impressive to say the least. We travelled back via Zeebrugge to join and embark on [RFA] Sir Galahad and return to Marchwood. This ship is known for its tragic loss in the Falklands during that war, and the loss of life and the subsequent story of Simon Weston, who suffered horrific burns and now flies the flag for all our injured and maimed soldiers.

I left the RMB and ended my career as a paramedic for Hampshire Ambulance Trust in 2000. We as ex RMBs meet once a year for reunions and enjoy the old ships stories.'