Corps of Drums

The Corps of Drums

Originally capbadged to the Queen's regiment, Whitgift School Corps of Drums was founded in 1905. It was not until recently that the Corps along with the Army Section were affiliated to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

The Corps practices up to three times a week for about an hour and a half per practice. Primarily the Corps is made up of drums, flutes and bugles, however, presently the Corps has a piper, which has proved to be a great asset. The Corps parades at many high profile events, such as the Lord Mayor's Show and the Holborn Remembrance Service. To find out much more please visit the Corps own website, (link below).

The Corps itself is made up entirely by Whitgiftians. Ranging from the Lower 1st (aged 10) right the way through the school to the Upper 6^th (aged 18). Order of Rank, History, and much more can be found at the Corps’ own website: www.whitgiftdrums.org.uk

|Corps of Drums Official Website|

General Information

|Drill Competition Test|

Recent parades for the Corps:

November - Croydon Guardian Championship Awards Ceremony:

The Whitgift School Corps of Drums carried out a UV Display to commence the Ceremony.

“Whitgift Corps of Drums wows the crowd” – Croydon Guardian.

November – Lord Mayors Show 2003-11-15

Selected members from The Corps paraded with two groups of Corps of Drums.

The following paraded with C Company London Fusiliers, The London Regiment, TA:

Drum Major WOII Edward Cooley
Drum Colour Sergeant Simon Goatcher
Sergeant William Turner
Lance Sergeant David Rawaf
Lance Sergeant Jack Barker
Corporal Michael Windheuser

The following Drummers paraded with The Corps of Drums Society (Massed Corps of Drums):

Sergeant Jason Ludwig
Corporal Mark Goatcher
Corporal Tom Zauful
Lance Corporal Eren Hasan

November – Remembrance Sunday, Holborn

The Corps led the procession of Veterans, TA and Cadets to the War Memorial in Holborn where the Corps’ Buglers (Sergeant Turner, Lance Sergeant Barker, Acting Lance Sergeant William Cheeseman, and Corporal Goatcher) played “The Last Post” and “Reveille”. Major Bowes-Creek stated that the Bugling was the best he had heard “for about eight years”. The Colonel of the Regiment (London Regiment) also congratulated the Corps and the Buglers on their “Outstanding performance”. The Veterans then led the procession from the War Memorial to the Church in Holborn followed by the Corps, then the TA and finally ACF Cadets and CCF Cadets.

November – UV Display, Ballam, TA Centre

After the Church Service in Holborn the Corps provided entertainment back at the TA Centre in Ballam for the Veterans and those who took place in the Remembrance parade earlier in the day.

November – Whitgift School Remembrance Service, Whitgift School

The Drum Major, Pipe Major, Drum Colour Sergeant and Buglers of the Corps paraded at Whitgift for the School’s Remembrance Service. The Pipe Major (Charles Tweed) played a Lament and the Buglers played “The Last Post” and “Reveille”. As ever they both played professionally and well.

Please visit the Corps’ official website at www.whitgiftdrums.org.uk created by the old Drum Major and present Pipe Major Charles Tweed.

Drill Competition

For the Drill Competition movements the section will need to know are:

Standing easy
Standing at ease
Coming to the attention
Turnings at the halt
Open order (right dress)
Close order (right dress)
Quick march
Slow march
Wheeling
Counter march
Halt
Right dress
Eyes front

Any queries on how to carry out these movements do not hesitate to ask a Senior NCO!

NCOs, chase up your section and get practicing.

The competition will be situated around the week 15^th - 21^st December.

You have more than enough time to prepare your section and bring them up to scratch!