This photograph is courtesy of Frank Mee and shows the Stockton Cadets Band in 1944. Sig Mason is third from left on the front row and Peter Chapman is second from left on the second row.
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
how can you join cadets
The Band way back in wartime was a sight to see. The Buglers were very versatile and spent hours practicing in the band hut on the William Newton field. The square at the back was perfect for company drill plenty of room to move around. We formed up on the Sunday Church parade and marched off to St Mary”s. After Church we would march down the High Street and back with all the local girls in tow. The favourite tune was the Durhams are marching up the hill, bags of swank then. I was talking to Sig Mason the big base drummer just last week. Peter Chapman phoned a couple of weeks back checking on a name. I went off to the Army in 1947 and a lot of the original lads had gone during wartime. As fast as they left others filled the ranks as it was the best club ever.
Right about best band Frank. I joined 1950 H.Q. Coy all band lads Lt Jack Dickinson I.C. looks like him L/cpl front row 3rd from right. I know he came up from the ranks as did many others. We also had the first green berets which was also an item of jealousy, we did all our training in the drill hall, band practice sunday mornings very popular with the locals “Bahs” from them too.
Yes Peter Chapman second from left back row, he married Elsie Robinson from Bradbury road Norton. I saw him a year back, he was having trouble with his sight but as far as I know still around. First on the left is Bomber Evans, he could throw a grenade further than any of us lot. Sig Mason is seated third from left with his big drummers sheep skin on. The DLI Cadet Band was one of the best with a waiting list to get in. They trained at the William Newton School with “A” Coy DLI Cadets and we were all jealous as they got the girls with all their fancy kit and lanyards. “Bah”
Could this be the Peter Chapman I knew. Had a brother Mick. They both worked at Metro Vics In 1950s. Peter went on to work in Head Wrightson”s drawing office. Married Elsie ?