FULL REGIMENTAL STATUS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 188, 12 August 1941, Page 4

FULL REGIMENTAL STATUS

QUEEN ALEXANDRA’S OWN BAND MR. R. W. C. THOMAS TO BE BANDMASTER Well-known in New Zealand as a leading bandsman, Mr. R. W. C, Thomas, Timaru, has been appointed regimen.al bandmaster to the Queen Alexandra's Own Mounted Rilles Band. His appointment brings the band up to full regimental status and strength.

Mr. Thomas is 35 years of age and has a long career as a bandsman, starting when he was 12. In 1925 he joined the Timaru Garrison Band, and it was conducted by Mr. A. Schnack, and has been a member ever since. This combination is now well known as the Timaru Municipal Band.

In 1937 Mr. Thomas started solo championship work and at the Centennial Exhibition in 1940 won the E flat championship. He is the present holder ot the title, and the second E flat cornet champion to be appointed regimental bandmaster, to the Queen Alexandra's Own Band. Lieutenant A. E. W. Webb, when conductor, also held this championship.

Mr. Thomas has played professionally for a number of leading South. Island Bands, including the Ashburton Band which twice won the B grade championship. At the Centennial Exhibition contest he played for St. Kilda's Band, championship winners, and for his own band, Timaru Muni-

cipal, placed second. For six years Mr. Thomas has been deputy conductor of the Timaru Municipal Band, under the tuition of Lieutenant W. Osborne, and it was stated last night that there was no doubt that the appointment of a brilliant connetist and musician to the conductorship of the Q.A.M.R. Band would do much to improve the standard of this famous V < nganui musical combination. He also has the ability to produce his own arrangements of solo, band and orchestral work and will lie an asset to the city's musical circles. Several of his arrangements have been given prominence from 3YA Christchurch. Members of the band are now in lhe Territorial Forces and undergo lhe same training as the ordinary Territorial soldier, including military drill, under the supervision of Regimental Sergeant-Major Hutchinson N.Z.P.S. and Staff-Sergeant Comrie, Area Staff-Sergeant Q.A.M.R. The executive committee of the band stated last night that its regimentation would in no way hamper civil activities. The regimental authorities nad always been sympathetic and had been exceptionally generous in their support by facilities to the band to take its full part in civic gatherings.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, with their three children, expect to take up residence in Wanganui toward the end of August.