Band Corporal Andy Thomson
Dip ABRSM Royal Marines
It is with great sadness that I must report the death of PO46387X, Band Corporal Andrew Thomson who passed away at St Luke¹s Hospice, Plymouth on July 23, aged 34.
Andy joined the Royal Marines Band Service in 1990, as part of troop 2/90, with well known characters Andy Gregory, David 'Granddad¹ Johnson, Steve Perry, Dave Prentice, Dom O¹Connor and Michael Robinson to name a few. After passing out of basic training, Andy moved 'Upstairs¹ to training company accommodation only to be christened 'Dave', due to his new room i/c already being called Andy. This nickname stayed with Andy throughout his time in training and continued through his time in the RMBS, although many people often didn¹t know who was being referred to! During his time in training, the first women musicians were accepted into the Royal Marines, and Andy met his future wife, Catherine Phillips.
He passed out in 1993 and was drafted to BRNC Dartmouth where he learnt his trade on many a cold morning on Divisions and progressed to sitting first horn. It was also during his time in Dartmouth that Andy developed a passion for rugby, a game that he played and loved throughout the rest of his life.
In 1997, Andy attended and was successful on the JCC (B) and the following year he and Cathy were married, setting up their family home in Torpoint, Cornwall, where Andy became a fully and well integrated member of the local community.
During his time in Torpoint, Andy got involved in many local clubs, especially Torpoint & St Columba RFC where he was the secretary; as well as being an active member of the Torpoint Mosquito Sailing Club where he regularly raced as a crew member of The Dogs Jorrocks and helped as a member of the safety boat crew.
1999 saw Andy move to the band at the Commando Training Centre, Royal Marines and quickly became active on both the sporting and social front. It was also during this draft that, whilst on a run ashore, Andy unwittingly self-appointed himself a second nickname, that of 'the best looking man in the South Hams', a name that few have let him forget!
Eventually, Andy got a draft to RMB Plymouth, at last serving with his wife and brother-in-law. This came in useful on a couple of occasions, not least when a mix up at a hotel saw Andy and Cathy accommodated in the honeymoon suite for an overnight stay, four- poster bed and all!
In 2006, Andy was successful on the SCC(B) and went on to pass the M1¹s, unfortunately Andy was unable to pick up his promotion to Sergeant in March of this year due to his illness. In December 2005, Andy and Cathy had their first child, Holly, on whom Andy doted.
During his time in the Royal Marines Band Service Andy took part in two major expeditions, one to the Red Sea scuba diving and the second as part of the Band Service team who climbed Mount Blanc. However, Andy¹s first sporting love was downhill skiing, he regularly attended the RN/RM Ski Championships and he was fortunate enough to ski both the American and Canadian Rockies. His enthusiasm for this sport was infectious, with Andy encouraging many novice skiers to take up and enjoy the sport as much as he did.
During a routine scan following an operation three years ago, it was identified that Andy needed an operation to remove some cancerous cells in his neck, this was carried out in October 2007. Unfortunately another operation was required in February. During the follow-up appointment after this operation, it was discovered that Andy was suffering from malignant melanoma and he embarked onto an aggressive course of chemo and radiotherapy.
Unfortunately, the illness took hold and Andy was admitted to the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital, eventually moving to St Luke¹s Hospice in Plymouth a week before his death.
Throughout his illness, Andy never gave up the hope that he would be back doing what he loved and enjoyed, whether that was playing his french horn at MFM or playing one of the many sports of which he was a fanatic.
Andy was a true gentleman, always impeccably turned out, often taking hours to get ready, ensuring his hair was just so. He was a fantastic father to Holly and a loyal and loving husband to his beloved wife Cathy. Andy will be sorely missed by all those who knew him, not just as a musician and NCO, but as a husband, father, brother-in-law and true friend. The world is a lesser place without you. God rest.
BdCSgt M Phillips RM Devonport Volunteer Band Instructor
BdCpl B Simpson RM. RM Band Portsmouth