In honour of our late chairman Mr Pete Pullen. 11th July 1945 - 31st March 2010.
On the 15th April 2010 members and past members of the Romsey Old Cadets said farewell to their late chairman Mr Pete Pullen in the only way they could. After the service in Romsey Abbey the present and past members formed up as a band and led the funeral cortege through the streets of Romsey playing some of his favourite tunes and at the end of the procession the band formed two ranks and as the cortege passed between the ranks the band played their final tribute with the tune they play at the end of every event called Dolly Grey.
This has to be one of the sadest and proudest parades the Romsey Old Cadets has taken part in and it was nice to see all the public along the route stop and pay their respects to Pete as the parade passed by. Romsey was vitually brought to a standstill by this action and it just goes to show that Pete was not only respected by band members but also the residents of Romsey.
After a private ceromony at Southampton Crematorian Pete's family, freinds and members of the band returned to The Royal British Legion in Romsey to have a good drink which is exactly what he would have wished.
Pete had been a member of the Romsey Old Cadets for over 40 years and many of those years he spent on the committee and for the last 10 years he was chairman of the association. Even in the last year when he was not well Pete still turned up at band practices and some events when he could. I can even remember on one occasion Pete took part in a school fete whilst in a wheelchair if thats not dedication what is?
Behind the scenes Pete worked tirelessley promoting the Romsey Old Cadets and in 2008 / 2009 he managed to raise money from sponsors to buy 60 new blazers for band members which the members proudly wore when they were invited to take part in the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment parade through Romsey in June 2009. Pete was due to lead the Romsey Old Cadets on the parade but unfortunately he was admitted to hospital a few days before and missed the parade.
Pete will be sadly missed but not forgotten and the Romsey Old Cadets Association will carry on and at every practice and event I am sure he will be with us telling us that's not the way to do it.
Rest In Peace Mate.
