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Bugles, Fifes and Drums have formed part of an infantry battalion since the earliest of times. The forerunners of the Corps of Drums were almost certainly on the first parade of the Cheshire Regiment on the Roodee at Chester in March 1689. Military Bands, as part of infantry battalions, date back to the middle of the eighteenth century and the history of the Regimental Band of the Cheshire Regiment can be traced back to 1758.

The current Regimental March of the Regiment. Arranged by D.E. Price (Bandmaster 1973-1977). The march was adopted in 1881 and the melody is that of the Jacobite song referring to the "Bonnie Prince Charlie" of 1745. However, the Cheshire Regiment adopted the melody with a different "Charlie" in mind - General Sir Charles Napier commanded the Scinde Campaign in 1842-43 in which the Regiment took a major part. Sir Charles shortly after the end of the campaign, became the Colonel of the Regiment, and as a lasting compliment, the Regiment adopted "Wha Wadna Fecht for Charlie".

Sir Charles Napier led a small force of 2,500, consisting of native infantry and cavalry and one British regiment, The Cheshire Regiment, against the Baluchi Army of the Ameers of Scinde. The desert fortress of Emaun Ghur was destroyed and then, on the 17th February 1843, Sir Charles Napier's small force defeated 30,000 Baluchis at Meeanee. A month later the Baluchis were defeated again at Hyderbad. The province of Scinde fell into British hands and the Cheshire Regiment gained the honours of Meeanee, Hyderbad and Scinde. The honours of Meeanee and Hyderbad are shared with some Indian Regiments. That of Scinde is borne by The Cheshire Regiment alone.

Arranged by WJ Adams. Preceded by the short regimental bugle call, the Assembly March actually consists of two marches; “The Miller of The Dee” and “The Hundred Pipers”. The Assembly March is used to assemble the soldiers on parade. The Hundred Pipers (Attributed to Lady Nairne) was the Regimental March of the 2^nd Battalion prior to 1881 and was combined with The Miller of The Dee to form The Assembly March in 1921

Prior to 1881 this was the Regimental March. However, it is still used to march the Officers on parade. An old Irish air originally called “The Dandy O”, it was introduced into the opera “Robin Hood” which was composed in 1784 by William Shield (1748-1829) who was a leading English opera composer of his day and who later became Master of the King’s Musick in 1817. The words are from the poetry of Thomas Moore (1779-1852).

A traditional English folk song dating back to the 17^th century. Arranged by WJ Adams and is played during ‘Trooping the Colour’ ceremonies.

Probably our oldest musical piece as this dates back to the 16^th century. Many Regiments in the British Army share this march. Played on ceremonial occasions to “Advance in Review Order".

Arranged by WJ Adams. This music was discovered in the Regimental Orderly Room archives in 1911. Played during ‘Trooping the Colour’ and other ceremonial parades when the Saluting Officer arrives on parade.

Arranged by WJ Adams. This music was discovered in the Regimental Orderly Room archives in 1911. Played whenever the Colours are marched to or from the Officers’ Mess.

Arranged by WJ Adams. This music was discovered in the Regimental Orderly Room archives in 1911. Played during ‘Trooping’.

Famous and popular march composed by Robert Planquette (1848-1903). Played immediately after the ‘Troop’ and was adopted in 1921 as a tribute to our French allies of the Great War. The arrangement used is for Band and Bugles by Rauski of Le Regiment de Sambre et Meuse and Terry Kenny.

Arranged by WJ Adams. Used since 1921 as the Colour Escort march. It commemorates the Regiments’ twelve-year tour in the West Indies early in the 18^th century. The Regiment was directly instrumental in preserving the West Indies for Crown and Country by supplying drafts of soldiers to man the Fleet and so enable the Royal Navy to maintain command of the seas. Composed by William Boyce (1711-1779) to commemorate the British victories against the French in "this wonderful year" of 1759. Heart of Oak was originally written for a pantomime: Harlequin's Invasion.

Played during ‘Trooping the Colour” ceremonies as the Colours pass down the line. The arrangement used is by FJ Harris.

To commemorate the Battle of Mons. A tradition was instituted in the 1920’s whereby “Tipperary” was played to accompany the march-past on the Mons Day Parade. British Troops adopted the music as a marching song on the outbreak of war in 1914. The melody is always associated with the ‘Old Contemptibles’ who marched to the tune, although there is nothing martial about the words, which tell of a homesick Irishman in London. It has been a popular community song although few could identify the composer or lyricist. The song was a joint venture by Jack Judge and Harry Williams.

Arranged by WJ Adams. This music was discovered in the Regimental Orderly Room archives in 1911.The score of this slow march is inscribed “March of the 22^nd Regiment 1772, to the Officers 1^st Cheshire Regiment from the Officers 22^nd Regiment District”. On the front page appears a plan of the city of Quebec.

The Regiment also possesses two unique bugle calls. The Bombay Horse Artillery reputedly presented these to the Regiment. Tradition states that the Cheshires nursed the “Gunners” through a cholera outbreak in 1842. Both units took part in the Battle of Hyderabad and both served together for many years in the Bombay Presidency.

Composed in 1862 by Brinley Richards and arranged by HR Roberts. This march is played whenever the Regiment’s Colonel in Chief (HRH The Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester) or other members of the Royal family are on parade, as part of the march off sequence. This march is also known as the Regimental March of the 9^th/12^th Royal Lancers.

The traditional Scottish song, using the familiar melody. Used as part of the march off sequence during ceremonial parades.

Played in the Officer’s and Sergeant’s Messes as the Mess Members and guests take their places during formal Regimental Dinners. Composed in 1735 by Richard Leveridge.

A Slow March written for the Regiment's Tercentenary in 1989 by Walter J. Adams. This march was written in three sections - one for each century! The first section represents a battle with the Turks, complete with the clashing of cymbals and swords! The second section represents the '100 Years War' where Regiments marched great distances with the Corps of Drums and Fifes playing. The third section represents the last 100 years when Military Bands came into full use. (The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall was founded in 1857).

The music was composed by Bandmaster TE Pickering, specially for the Tercentenary of the Regiment in 1989.

The words to this hymn are taken from a book of poems written by Lieutenant Colonel HF Kellie, (The 22nd Regiment).

A fanfare composed by Lance Corporal Bryan (Paul) Adams (a member of the Band) for the Regiment's tercentenary parade in 1989, attended by HRH The Prince of Wales.

Regimental Music Collection

(All MIDI files sequenced by Peter E. Ledder)

Introduction

Send mail to peter@ledder.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2002-05 Band and Drums Branch CRA
These pages were last updated on: Thursday, 09 October 2008

Regimental Music Collection

(All MIDI files sequenced by Peter E. Ledder)

Introduction

Send mail to peter@ledder.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2002-05 Band and Drums Branch CRA These pages were last updated on: Thursday, 09 October 2008

Send mail to peter@ledder.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2002-05 Band and Drums Branch CRA
These pages were last updated on: Thursday, 09 October 2008