[A]t the age of fourteen years, nine months my childhood ended and I start on the road to maturity; I am now severed from my mother’s apron strings and my father’s supervision. 

My father [a Royal Marine] brought me here to enlist in the Royal Marines as a Bugler […]

Bugle instruction was conducted at Drummers Pit in the Longroom. Gosh, what din, a number of learners like myself trying to blow the bugle out straight. My lips became numb, I couldn’t form a note but after a little while I was taught to use my tongue to form notes and my lips became hardened. Soon I had all the bugle calls taped off and was able to take part in any bugle parade. Instruction in the B Flat Flute was in a Barrack Room; well, I got on well with that but I came to the conclusion I would never be a musician. Drum practice in the Band Room was a little difficult. I could not handle the sticks as well as I ought but with practice I was able to do a roll.