Roger Leslie Betts

AprApril 23^rd, 1955 • DecDecember 13^th, 2023

Chatteris

Roger Leslie Betts

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The Traveler’s Rest always welcomes departed drinkers.
With a warm smile and a kindly nod.
You’ll never have to put your hand in your pocket again.
Because this really is a free house, thank god.

Obituary

The more I discover about your life dad, the more I realise what an incredible act I have to follow. You have affected so many people all over the world in such a positive way. You have experienced so much and tried your best to pass on this knowledge whether I was listening or not.
Roger put everything into whatever he did with a positive mindset making so many friends along the way. He was an incredibly talented percussionist with many performances held to rapturous applause.
You made the world a slightly better place at considerable costs, but you knew this and did it anyway due to your kind trusting nature. So many people mourn your passing, its truly stunned me how many lives you affected.
Dad, you missed the birth of your grandchild Samuel but i promise you he will see and hear as much as I can find about his grandfather.
I miss you so much dad. - Jack

Incorrect information?

Welcome visitor!

Roger lived such a full and busy life yet he kept most of this information private from he children Jack and Peter.
If you see any missing pictures you can post them on the memories wall with a message or add a new photos to the photo album.

Much of the information you see here was created on notes and conversations with dad shortly before he passed away. Things will be missing and might be incorrect. Should this be the case please contact a member of the Betts family. If you do not have this contact information please use the memory wall feature to post a message suggesting corrections.

Thank you - Jack B

Timeline

1955

April 23^rd

Born

Chatteris

1970

September

Joined Junior Musicians Troop Royal Artillery

Turned up with two pairs of underpants, 2 pairs of socks, one pair of trousers and his sunday best shirt and tie (handed down from three brothers who were two feet taller)

1972

Heavy Champagne Bill

Ran up a Champagne bill of £280 (The equalivent of £3,830.92 in 2024) at the Royal Albert Hall as a guest of Field Marshall Lord Alanbrooke. Was told by Alanbrooke to "Never darken my box again".

Royal Albert Hall, UK

1973

Awarded 'Best Percussionist and Sportsman of the Year' award

Awarded by Lord Alanbrooke who added "Never darken my door again".

1974

Royal Artillery Band return

Returned to woolwich and winning the Major Units Football competition reaching semi finals.

Woolwich, UK

1974

April 23^rd

Attended the Royal Military School of Music

Award the 'Dennis Brady' prize and the customary 'Cousins Parchment and athlete of the year' award.
On St George's day (rogers birthday) he joined the parade in which he was honoured with a severe rebuke from the adjutant who stated "If you turn up likje this again it will be straight to the guardroom".

Kneller Hall, Twickenham, UK

1980

Promotion to Principle Percussionist

Woolwich, UK

1982

Promoted to Sgt

Youngest in the bands history

Woolwich

1990

February 19^th

Jack is Born

He was a fat one but Roger was a little pre-occupied with the MPs

Greenwich

1990

July

Detachment to Empress State Building

In preparation for Operation Granby while completing the EPCA course

London

1991

January 4^th

Posted to Dortmund

Posted to the Alanbrooke Band in Dortmund Germany for combatants course Sennelager. Appointed as BQMS, Band Clerk, Banade Accountant, Transport officer, Librarian, PEC and PMc concurrently.

Dortmund, Germany

1992

April 10^th

Peter is Born

Peter was born in Germany with his first word eventually becoming "Spider!" which was not very helpful in supermarket queues.

1993

June

Promoted to WO2

Disbanded the Alanbrooke Band in order to setup the Army Air Corps Band

1993

October

Return to UK and Creation of the Army Air Corps Band

18 months prior to the "options for change" programme the Army Air Corps band was setup. This was the First band that was setup and acted as a role model for the 35 other band establishments. Members for the AACB were drawn from 7 different Regemental bands withthe nucleus of musicians from the Royal Artillery.

The AAC regiment recieved their colours with the band in its AAC uniform, the band holds the record for "inception to completion" of its livery and set up at the time of writing.

Middle Wallop, Hampshire, England

1995

22 Years Long service achieved.

2016

Hampshire Valley Wines

Created a small business in which wines and other bottles were supplied to pubs and resturants. The business kept Roger busy and gave him an excuse to visit many many pubs. Unfortunately due to unpaid invoices the business was eventually closed out a few years later.
Roger enjoyed the work but did it really to travel, drink and meet people.

Andover, Hampshire, England

2023

December 13^th

Passed Away

After a hard battle with cancer Roger made it home.

Chatteris, England, UK