RAAF Operational Command Band

For most of the 20th century there were two Royal Australian Air Force bands. The R.A.A.F. Central Band and the Air Command Band aka RAAF Richmond Band, RAAF 1 Regional Band or the RAAF Operational Command Band. Before 1952 there were a number of other bands of amateur musicians. In 1932 the Air Command Band started as the RAAF Richmond Band. In 1969 it was renamed the RAAF 1 Regional Band and disbanded early in 1974, then reinstated later that year under the new title of the RAAF Operational Command Band. In 1988 the band was renamed the Air Command Band. Bandmasters c1927-1934 Ernest Thomas Joseph Keller 1935 Corporal Naylor 1946-1955 Ernest John 'Tubby' Fellows 1955-1969 ??? Music Directors 1969-1974 Michael A. Butcher 1974-1978 Archie Burt 1978-1988 Tom Cooper (6) 1988-2000 David C. Worrall 2000-2008 John Buckley The Band was formed by the then Commanding Officer of RAAF Richmond, Squadron Leader Bostock, and was a part-time brass band. This group of part-time musicians came from different trades within the RAAF and was under the direction of Leading Aircraftman Ern Keller. As the part-time band grew in numbers and expertise, it became very busy and was comparable to most full time Army bands. The first band officer was Flying Officer Richard. Over the years the Band performed at many events including royal visits, Government House investitures and in 1940 it escorted 6 Squadron to the station on its departure to join the war effort, and held a concert for the Empire Air Training Scheme contingent bound for Canada. The Band was also asked to accompany Gracie Fields, the then well known singer, at a welfare/comfort concert which was held at the Sydney Town Hall. In 1946 Flight Lieutenant 'Tubby' Fellows became bandmaster. In 1969 it became a full-time band. Starting with 12 musicians, it was renamed the RAAF 1 Regional Band, and at that time woodwind instruments were introduced. Pilot Officer M. Butcher was the first Director of Music. Due to government policy the Band was disbanded early in 1974, but successful lobbying saw it reinstated later that year under the new title of the RAAF Operational Command Band under the direction of Flight Lieutenant Archie Burt. In 1978, a new director, Squadron Leader Tom Cooper (6), was appointed. He was a graduate of the Royal Military School of Music (Kneller Hall) London. With the re-orgamsation of RAAF Air Headquarters in 1988 the band was renamed the Air Command Band. The Air Command Band has included a full concert band, an 18-piece jazz band, a seven-piece combo known as 'Touch and Go', a brass quintet known as 'Jet Stream' and a woodwind quintet known as 'Windshear'. In 2008 the band merged with the R.A.A.F. Central Band from Laverton to form the Air Force Band.