This is the text of former Bermuda Regiment Bandmaster Major Kenneth Dill’s tribute to the late Captain Horace Gibbons, the Regiment’s first Bandmaster. See Ira Philip’s column on the front page of Weekender.First of all, I convey my heartfelt condolences to the entire family of the late Captain Gibbons. You and we have lost a true son of the soil. It is said that those who live on in our memories never die. Please permit me to reflect on how and when I came to meet Captain Gibbons.In December, 1967, Her Majesty’s Service delivered a letter to my residence, informing me that I had been conscripted, and should therefore report to Warwick Camp on Sunday, January 8, 1968 at 0800 hrs for a Recruit Camp.When I recovered from my initial shock, I studied the letter more closely and discovered that my middle name Sinclair had been changed to Saint Claire.I pocketed the letter, hopped on my Mobylette, and went full speed ahead to Warwick Camp to return the letter, and inform them of the mistaken identity, and advise them that they should resend the letter to whoever this Kenneth Saint Claire was; because it definitely wasn’t me.Needless to say, I was shot down so to speak by a no-nonsense speaking Adjutant named Captain Halcrow. So on January 8, 1968 I reported to Warwick Camp and commenced my military training. At that time, the Band was stationed at Admiralty House and I had no interest whatsoever in joining them as I was already a budding musician, studying piano and theory with Professor Joseph Richards and also playing keyboards with the best band in Bermuda at the time, The Subdominant Brass.In late 1968, whilst still serving in the ranks of the Regiment, the Subdominant Brass Band won the Battle of the Groups contest and the prize was an all-expense paid trip to Trinidad in February, 1969 to play in the Carnival. But, I was due to commence my second camp as a soldier in February, 1969 at the same time as the trip to Trinidad.So, off I went again, on my now Vespa 80 scooter, to appeal to Captain Halcrow.After hearing my dilemma, Captain Halcrow informed me that I had to do an Annual Camp. He then said the solution might be for me to attend the band camp, which was to be held in January. He said he would check with the Bandmaster to see if this would be possible. In my presence, he telephoned the Bandmaster, a person I had never heard of, and told him my story. I gathered from the one-sided conversation I heard that it was going to be all right.But you can imagine my surprise when Captain Halcrow said to me the Bandmaster needs someone to run the Band Canteen when they take their breaks and after practice nights until lights out. So that’s what you’re going to do. You will report to Bandmaster Gibbons at Admiralty House with your full kit on this date, and follow his orders. If it all works out, you will be able to go to Trinidad in February.I reported to Admiralty House and was pleasantly surprised to find that this Warrant Officer, Bandmaster Gibbons, was not the stereotypical officer that I had been accustomed to at Warwick Camp. He was short like me; he was soft-spoken, and almost gentle in nature. He talked slowly, but walked quickly. During his band rehearsals I watched and could see that he loved and lived his music. His little dog Trixie was never far away from him, as quiet as a mouse.Bandmaster Gibbons gave me the opening and closing times of the canteen, with firm instructions about opening and closing on time. I asked him what was I to do when the canteen was closed during the day. He smiled and said: Whatever you like. Well, it didn’t take me long to find an old piano in the Ballroom, and when the band canteen was closed, I could be heard playing on this old piano.One day Bandmaster Gibbons walked in and asked me to play a song that he wanted the band to sing. It was called The Jolly Roger. After I played the song, he asked me to consider transferring from the ranks to the band. I replied that I would look pretty silly pushing a piano down Front Street! He said: Not a problem; I will teach you play the instrument that I play, the clarinet. Well, I thought, the clarinet is surely lighter than a Self Loading Rifle, so why not?When I returned from Trinidad in February, 1969, I requested and was granted a transfer to the band; and thus began a musical journey of a lifetime.Bandmaster Gibbons was a born teacher. He had the practical skill of a master and the patience of Job. He gave of his time so willingly, without the thought of a charge. Every lunch hour I left my job and reported to Admiralty House for a lesson with the master. And many evenings during the week he trekked from St George’s to Admiralty House to give me and others free private lessons and to prepare me for a greater musical mission. Bandmaster Gibbons groomed me tirelessly; and when Major Dunn, the Director of Music, retired and Bandmaster Gibbons was promoted to Captain Gibbons, Director of Music, he set about preparing me to succeed him, telling me that, in four years, he intended to retire and by then, I should be ready to take the helm of the Bermuda Regiment Band.Captain Gibbons made it happen. Not only did he get me accepted at the prestigious, renowned, Royal Military School of Music in London, he convinced the Bermuda Government to invest heavily in me by providing me with a fully funded four-year scholarship. He also secured for me a soldier’s monthly salary. I left Bermuda, determined to not let him down.This gentle musical giant was a role model to all of us. He was always firm but always fair. He knew what he wanted and he knew how to get it. Not through raising his voice or in anger or drawing his sword, but through discipline, dedication, determination, persuasion and the ability to get out of us; that which we thought we didn’t possess. Captain Gibbons taught us respect, and the importance of community service; for no other reason than it is the right thing to do. And, he led and lived his life by example.Captain Gibbons, for those of us whose lives you touched and influenced; we owe you a debt of gratitude. Thank you Captain Gibbons, and rest in peace.