RAF Music Services News

George in Jakarta

Military Trumpeter in a tropical white uniform.In June, as part of Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday celebrations, Senior Aircraftman George Bailey travelled to Jakarta, Indonesia where he represented the Royal Air Force at several special events held in the capital over the course of three days.  These included the Queen’s Birthday Party hosted by the British Embassy, an outreach performance to the students of Darunnajah Islamic Boarding School, and two performances to journalists and the public at one of Jakarta’s newly constructed metro stations.

Senior Aircraftman Bailey was joined by representatives of the First Battalion of the Grenadier Guards, as the two Services came together to showcase British military music.Military musicians playing music.

After two flights totalling 17 hours – as well as a surprise 15-hour delay – and with body clocks still firmly set to British summer time, the three Service personnel were very quickly put to work supporting the Queen’s 93rd birthday celebrations, hosted by the British Embassy.

During this time, Jakarta was also busily hosting celebrations towards 70 years of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Indonesia, and biggest of all, the city’s own 492nd anniversary.

To mark these events, the British delegation performed around the city to a great positive reaction.  The largest of these came during a street performance attended by thousands of Jakarta’s residents.  Following this, the three service personnel posed for photos for well over an hour with the eager crowds.

On his return to the United Kingdom Senior Aircraftman Bailey commented,

It was a great privilege to be able to support the Queen’s birthday celebrations outside of the United Kingdom.  For me, perhaps the most rewarding aspect was engaging with the residents of Jakarta, and in particular in performing to the students of Darunnajah Islamic Boarding School.

Senior Aircraftman George Bailey

 

Military musicians.

Just one of several events around the globe celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s official birthday.  The most famous of which – only a week earlier – being the Trooping the Colour ceremony which for the first time in its history featured the Central Band of the Royal Air Force in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

 

Article: Senior Aircraftman George Bailey.

 

 

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