Warrant Officer Class 2 Gareth Morgan

In September 1975, following 3 years with the Shropshire Army Cadet Force (Light Infantry) Gareth Morgan joined The Parachute Regiment as a Junior Bandsman, completing initial training with 12 Platoon, Junior Parachute Company, before moving to the Junior Parachute Company, Band and Drums Wing.

In 1977 he was posted to the Band of the Second Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA Band). During the next eight years he saw service in Berlin, Northern Ireland, Kenya, Belize, Jamaica,and the USA,as well as completing a twelve month training course at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall. Between 1977 and 1985 he also attained the ranks of L/Cpl and Cpl, respectively.

From 1985 to 1993, following amalgamation of the three battalion bands to two larger bands, he was posted to The Regimental Band of The Parachute Regiment, latterly,which in 1986 was re named The Falklands Band of The Parachute Regiment. (The sister band being named The Pegasus Band of The Parachute Regiment.) During his time with the Falklands Band he saw service at Depot Para.(RHQ), Cyprus with the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment and a residential tour of Northern Ireland, again with 3 PARA.

In 1989 he undertook, with the band, a post conflict tour to the Falkland Islands in order to provide musical support for the seventh anniversary commemorations of the 1982 conflict. During that year he also attained the rank of Sgt.

1993 saw a further amalgamation of the two bands, thus becoming a single band, known has The Band of the Parachute Regiment. During this time he served with the band at RHQ Para, Aldershot; Duty Band BAOR Germany, co located with the 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry in Paderborn; the Resident Band at the RMA Sandhurst and with the 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment based in Aldershot, he also attained rank of CSgt.

Further attendance at The Royal Military School of Music followed in 1995. Two years later he was was promoted to Warrant Officer Class 2 and appointed Band Sergeant Major; subsequently retiring in 1999 after nearly 24 years service.

Since leaving the armed forces he has worked for the Police Service in an operational support role, currently serving with Surrey Police as part of a Neighbourhood Support Policing Team. This year he is also being awarded the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal by Surrey Police.

Gareth Morgan is also an honorary member of the Aldershot Garrison, Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess.