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ONE OF FINEST ON CONTINENT Regimental By CHRIS DENNETT of Oshawa Times Staff Military musicians are a spe- eial breed of people. "You don't," as one militia spokesman rightly put it, "get "em out on a parade ground and drill the heii out of them. They are musicians, not sol- diers." To keep a first class military brass band together the On- tario Regiment takes extra spe- cial care of its colorful and ac- complished musicians, Over the years the Band of the Ontario Regiment has en- joyed a well deserved reputa- tion as one of the finest in North America. In return for a little under- standing from the militia, the 36 members of the band work and practice with intense dedi- cation. They can exhibit too, their own epecia) brand of courage and humor. There is the almost legendary story, for example, of the late Jack Broadbent, Regimental Bandmaster froin 1936 to 1958. It was CNE time, so the story goes, and the band was pre- paring for the annual brass band competition. Jack Broadbent, who had led the band to so many victories in the past, lay seriously ill in bed, A worried visitor was Reg Martyn, the band's secretary- treasurer, 'As I arrived," Mr. Martyn said, taking up the story, "the doctor was just leaving. 'He told me that Jack would never leave his bed. He was too ill to recover. went in to see Jack. Ill as he| was, he had heard what the | doctor had told me. ** 'Tf I'm going to die,' he told me, 'I might as well go with | my boots on.' "The next day he turned up at band practice. He was as. white as a sheet and the sweat was just pouring off him. "Somehow he got up there and led the practice. He was a very determined man and he made it clear that he would} lead the band during the CNE competition. 'We took him to Toronto in the back of a station wagon. When we arrived we had to carry him up to the. podium and carry him back down again after we had played. "We won the competition and it was chiefly due to Jack." As it later turned out Jack Broadbent recovered from his iliness and lived for a _ good many mere years. During his years as band to six trophies. Band- 'We parted company and 1| waster Jack Broadbent led the | of its eight CNE mired for many years. - Running a. brass band is far | from inexpensive. There are 36 members in the band and a full slate of instru- best | ments costs around $20;000. For- tunately, brass instruments do not wear out too easily. Uni- have | forms too, are expensive. They heen very, very lucky. It is no} run at around $110 apiece. "We were always the band there," Mr. Martyn ex- plained, "In many ways, we boast. to say we are the best equipped and dressed amateur brass band in the country." The band has always ceived very special considera- tion from the Ontario Regi- ment's Honorary Colonel, R. § McLaughlin. 'Without his help," said Mr Martyn, "we would be no- where near the standard we are,"' It is Col. McLaughlin bought the band's instruments their uniforms and built bandshell in Memorial Park re- | the | The band is predominantly made up of old country brass | band musicians. | "Over there,' said Mr. Mar- tyn, "brass: bands are a way of life. At the last count there were 10,000 of them spread | through the British Isles." | The first official bandmaster was William Mathewson who wigided the baton in 1870. He was followed by Thomas Toms, who R. S. Wolfenden, E. Evans, O. |S. Gieger, Sam Trew, Williams Lambert, Orville Ganton, Roy | Jones, William Gale, Edwin C. The bandshell is the band's | Partridge, Thomas Dempsey, proudest possession, Its fine| Jack Broadbent, Francis J. acoustics and excellent band| Francis, and G. B, C. Quick room underneath have been ad- | present leader. Wish To Extend To The On the Occasion of FITTINGS LIMITED CONGRATULATIONS ONTARIO REGIMENT R.C.A.C, Of Service, Celebrating thei: CENTENNIAL YEAR 1966 FITTINGS LIMITED 135 BRUCE ST Sincere 100: Years REET, OSHAWA THE OSHAWA TIMES, Twesdey, Mey 31, 1966 OA COURAGE, HUMOR EXHIBITED Band Colorful, Accomplished THE ONTARIO REGI- MENT Band is very much a father and son affair. Here member Staff Ser- Whitsitt plays the euphoni- um, Zam plays the tenor horn and the two youngest boys play cornets. The four geant William Whitsitt dis- have played . together in cusses his instrument with concerts at the McLaugh- his three sons (from left to lin Band Shell in Memorial right): Paul, 10; Zam, 14, Park, and David, 12. ~--Oshawa Times Photo Sergeant -- JOIN A PROUD UNIT... THE ONTARIO REGIMENT Royal Canadian Armoured Corp The Ontario Regiment os part of Conada's. Militia Force, ts continuing 100 year old tradition helping to ensure peace by preparedness, Recruiting Will Resume on The First Parade In September Thursday, Sept. 8 The Ontario men who can meet our requirements,. with the opportunity to Regiment offers wonderful training for young tram for commissioned and non-commissioned ronks. Young men of Oshawa, Whitby and district may enquire et the Armoury Oshawa, Tues- day and Thursdays, 8 to 10 p.m.