A Nottingham soldier marched through the streets of Falmouth to mark the annual Armed Forces Day.
The national event in Cornwall supported by hundreds of smaller events across the country, provided the opportunity for the public and members of the Armed Forces to come together to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution the Armed Forces make to the United Kingdom.
His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester took the Royal Salute, as the 1000-strong parade drawn from serving personnel, veterans and cadets were applauded by the crowd lining the route for their commitment past and present in keeping the nation safe.
Staff Sergeant Richard Stringfellow (40), serving with The Royal Corps of Army Music based in Camberley, joined tri-service personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force units across the UK as they marched through the historic seafaring town of Falmouth.
Richard known as Stringers has a strong bond to Cornwall and specifically Falmouth, he said: It is a real honour to be part of British Army Band Sandhurst marching on the Armed Forces Day National Event. This is extra special for me as my wife is from Cornwall and we were married in Falmouth, the town holds lots of lovely memories for me and it is a delight to be back again.”
The musician with 22 years military service attended Fernwood Comprehensive School, Nottingham where he learnt to play the clarinet and joined the Army to play music in a professional capacity:
“The beauty of a career in Army music is that no two days are the same. One day we could be at a school demonstrating the capabilities of an Army Musician and the next on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace Changing the Guard.
“The variation in the role is what appeals to me, there is never time to get bored without having to think about what the next few days will hold.”
The Senior Non-Commissioned Officer has been part of nearly all major State Ceremonial Events for the last 20 years and the last 12 months has been particularly busy with the late Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, the Coronation Parade and Trooping the Colour, the King’s first Birthday Parade which he completed last Saturday on horseback, he said: “It is always such a proud time to be able to be involved with everything.
“I have been in special venues with the Royal Family playing music while they meet other key world leaders, playing at amazing concert venues around the world and just enabled me to carry on making music while being paid to do so.”
As a musician in The Royal Corps of Music, Stringers is the public face of the Army, but he is a soldier first and his operational role is to support the Field Hospitals. Those skills honed through years of development by his seniors and through career courses have given him a new level of confidence as well as a sense of leadership.
He added: “A career in the British Army has made me into the person I am today. There have been so many amazing opportunities which have given me memories to last a lifetime, as well as making friends for life.”
As an inclusive and diverse employer, the Army offers a career for all in a range of trades and roles. Click Royal Corps of Army Music, if you are interested in a career as an Army musician.
