History
Prior to the Second World War there were a number of Regimental bands in Melbourne that were part-time Militia bands. The only permanent band was the Royal Australian Artillery Band based at Queenscliffe on the outskirts of Melbourne. The members of this band were full-time soldiers but had a dual role, such as being a gunner.
The Australian Army Band Melbourne commenced full time service on the 29th July 1940 when Warrant Officer Class Two Edward Robottom, MBE enlisted into the Australian Army, was appointed Bandmaster and was given the task of raising the Recruit Training Band at Caulfield Racecourse. At this time, Caulfield Racecourse was used by the Army as a training camp. During the war years the Band, under various titles, served in several camps near Melbourne. In January 1941, six months after the Band was formed, it underwent its first move to Bacchus Marsh as the Darley Brigade Band. In February 1942 the Band was renamed the Headquarters of the Third Military District Band and was relocated back to Caulfield Racecourse. The Bandmaster at this time was Captain Harry Shugg, who had a long association with Militia Bands prior to the Second World War. He was appointed as an honorary Captain and District Bandmaster and his duties also included raising the standard of the Regimental Militia Bands in the Melbourne area.
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| Band at Bacchus Marsh |
On the Band's second birthday in August 1942 it was relocated to Watsonia Army Camp where it took the name of Southern Command Headquarters Band. From October 1943 until January 1946 the Band was based at Royal Park and was called the Victorian Lines of Communication Area Band. The Band was dissolved for a few months, but in June 1946 it was reinstated at Albert Park Barracks as the Southern Command Band. The Band retained this title when they moved to Batman Avenue Depot in 1960. Prior to 1967 the Band had a brass band instrumentation and a manning strength of 30 musicians. In 1967 the manning was increased to 50 with the addition of woodwind instruments.
In 1973 the Band again changed its name and became known as the Band of the Third Military District. In 1990 the Band celebrated its Golden Jubilee and, in recognition of fifty years service to the people of Melbourne, was granted Freedom of Entry to the City of Melbourne. On 14 February 1990 the General Officer Commanding Logistic Command presented the Band with a Commendation for Outstanding Support to Headquarters Logistics Command and to Logistics Command Units in the Third Military District.
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| 3MD Band |
In August 1991 the Band was again renamed and became the Australian Army Band Melbourne but was still based at Batman Avenue Depot. In 1992 the Band was granted the Freedom of Entry to the City of Traralgon. In March 1992 the Band moved into a new home at Albert Park, in what was a converted Royal Australian Signals Depot.
In December 1997 the Australian Army Band Melbourne was relocated to Simpson Barracks at Watsonia, sharing the facilities with the Defence Force School of Music (DFSM). The band continues to operate independently and one of its roles is to act as a training aid for courses conducted at the DFSM.
History of the Uniform
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| Band Corps Ceremonial Uniform |
The History of Band Corps Uniforms
The ceremonial jacket worn by the Australian Army Band Melbourne is scarlet and rifle green, and was introduced in 1975 to give all the Australian Army Band Corps bands a standard ceremonial jacket. It signifies the former association with the Royal Australian Infantry, in particular the Royal Australian Regiment. This jacket is based on the uniform worn in 1885 by the first Australian contingent to be sent overseas, the New South Wales Sudan War contingent.
The white pith helmet is worn as part of the ceremonial uniform. The current design was introduced in 1980 and is modelled on the helmet worn by the Victorian Horse Artillery c.1880, with the exception of the chinstrap. Mounted on the helmet is the badge of the Australian Army Band Corps. The motif features a lyre as the universal sign for music as well as a lyrebird symbolising Australia. The badge also includes crossed swords signifying the Corps' original affiliation with the Infantry.
Minstrel Boy
‘The Minstrel Boy'
The Australian Army Band Corps Quick March
‘The Minstrel Boy'
The Minstrel Boy to the war has gone
In the ranks of death you will find him;
His father's sword he hath girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him;
"Land of Song!" said the warrior bard,
"Tho' all the world betrays thee,
One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"
The Minstrel fell! But the foeman's chain
Could not bring that proud soul under;
The harp he lov'd ne'er spoke again,
For he tore its chords asunder;
And said "No chains shall sully thee,
Thou soul of love and brav'ry!
Thy songs were made for the pure and free,
They shall never sound in slavery!"
Irish Poet, Thomas Moore (b.1779, d. 1852) wrote the lyrics to ‘The Minstrel Boy', which was published as part of his ten-volume "Irish Melodies" in 1813. He set the words to one of the most recognisable of Irish melodies, an air known as "The Moreen" which is believed to have originated in the latter part of the 16th Century.
With the advent of the printing press, the song was widely distributed and translated into many European languages, including Hungarian, Polish and Russian. Moore was the first to popularise Irish music throughout the world.
It is believed that Moore composed the song as a memorial to several of his friends who had participated in the failed United Irishmen Uprising of 1798. One died in prison, another was wounded and a third captured and hung. Moore combined images of the harp and the sword which are symbolic of the Irish union of song and war.
The song was a favourite of the many Irishmen who fought during the American Civil war, primarily on the Union side, in protest of the South's practice of slavery. The following third verse was added:
The Minstrel Boy will return, we pray,
When we hear the news we all will cheer it.
The Minstrel Boy will return one day,
Torn perhaps in body, not in spirit.
Then may he play on his harp in peace,
In a world such as Heaven has intended,
For all the bitterness of man must cease,
And every battle must be ended.
(US Civil War Verse)
‘The Minstrel Boy' also featured in the 1975 movie, ‘The Man Who Would Be King' and 2002's ‘Black Hawk Down'.
In 1982, ‘The Minstrel Boy', was authorised as the quick march of the Australian Army Band Corps.
Sources:
www.imdb.com
www.cs.rice.edu
www.aabcassociation.com.au