Royal Marines band Collingwood play host to chief

Major General Robert Magowan CBE, Commandant General Royal Marines has paid a special visit to the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood.

The Band interrupted their rehearsals to hear high praise from Maj Gen Magowan who has been their Commandant General for the last eight months.

He told them, “I’ve always valued deeply the importance of the Royal Marines Band Service. I feel genuinely proud to be a Royal Marine every time I hear you play; it makes me feel 6 feet 5, not 6 feet 4."

Watched by the musicians, he then presented the Band’s Director of Music, Major Jon Ridley, with a Bar to his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

Maj Ridley said afterwards, “It was an honour to welcome the Commandant General Royal Marines to The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood and for us to demonstrate the unique flexibility that a Royal Marines Band delivers, which includes both operational and musical outputs.”

Maj Gen Magowan also held a fruitful question and answer session with Band members before speaking of the opportunities for the Royal Marines that are offered by the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

Finishing by promising to return regularly to conduct similar sessions, he revealed he looked forward with pleasure to hearing the Band play again.

Maj Gen Magowan joined the Royal Marines in 1989 and has held many positions including in the Joint Intelligence Committee, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and, after promotion to Brigadier he became Chief of Staff to the National Contingent Commander in Kabul.

Promoted to Major General, he became Commandant General Royal Marines and Commander of UK Amphibious Forces in June 2016.