Band Director Ian Yeoman BEM

- British Empire Medal in the New Years Honours List awarded for Services to Music (2014)

- Awarded certificate for Meritorious Service in the Community by The Worshipful Mayor of Havering (2014)

- Honorary Freeman of The Borough For Services to The Band and The London Borough of Havering (2006)

- Mayor's Award For Dedicated Service to The Royal British Legion Band & Corps of Drums Romford (2004)

- Awarded for Services to A London Borough by The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone (2004)

I joined the band at the age of 9 in 1978. I was always interested in music and as a result of that went along to the Havering Tattoo held in Romford Market. There I witnessed bands that I never knew existed, coming from East London I had not seen anything like this before. In 1978 the Legion Band were probably the biggest youth band in size and caught my eye immediately. Without further delay I enquired about joining. A week later I was in training, and have enjoyed it ever since. I began learning the bugle in what we called the 'b' band, privately I was having Cornet lessons and by luck, just before Wembley Contest a space became available in the main band. From that moment I was in, and it was all systems go! 

Over the years I worked my way through the ranks, becoming the youngest member ever to be promoted to sergeant at the age of 14. In 1986 I was made Band Sergeant Major and in 1994 I was appointed the position of Bandmaster. In 2002 after the retirement of Mr. McWilliam I became Band Director. My most enjoyable times are when I'm out on the field putting together the many displays performed by the band at competitions and shows both here and abroad. It is these competitions that have earned the band the reputation of being one of the most successful UK Traditional Marching Bands of the 90's. 

The band has gone from strength to strength over the last decade and this is due to the hard work put in by all members of the organisation. I feel that it is the family atmosphere and friendship that forms the basis of our success. Lets hope that this success continues for the future. 

Band President Colin McCartney

When I walked in to the Band Hall in 1957, Mr Richardson said you "Have come to join the Band lad?", I said yes sir and he replied "right Slim fall in there" and since that day to this I have been known as Slim!

I started on a Eb trumpet and played that until 1958, then played drum until 1969. I was then Drum Major until 1974 and then went on to be an Officer and Drum Instructor.

When I started our uniforms were very thick, and made us hot and sweaty. We used Melton whiting for our belts and a button stick to clean buttons. Spit and polish our boots, we polished our drum slings with boot polish and drum ropes had to be whiting, it was hard work for a 10 year old!

The hard work was worth it, it gave me the opportunity to play at Edinburgh Tattoo for six weeks in 1963 when I was aged 15 years old. I also played at Sandringham Palace for the Queen Mother, at The Royal Albert Hall three times, and many many more.

In 1984 I got married, but still supported the band, and became Chairman of the twinning with the German band in Ludwigshafen/Rhein. In 1992 I became Vice President of the band and in 2012 was made Band President, an honour which I am very proud of.