Paul Coker PO32832X Principal Trombone Paul Coker - Principal Trombone Dr Paul C Coker BSc BEd writes: “I was born in 1957 in East London where I studied music and fought for the county judo team, so the transition into the Royal Marines Band Service in April 1974 was almost a natural progression of my adolescent years. My professor at Deal was Jack Dacombe and, ironically, my first instructor Paddy Mailey, who is also a member of our band. I was awarded the Trombone Cup and the trombone class prize during my time in training. In December 1976 I was drafted early to the Commando Forces Band in Plymouth. Graham Harvey was to leave the band and I was to be the principal and solo trombone replacement for him, a tall order to follow. The band saw service in Northern Ireland, Cyprus and, of course, the Falklands. In 1983, when the band was disbanded at Stonehouse, I was offered the chance to join the Commander-in-Chief Fleet’s band which was to form at Northolt under Ted Whealing’s direction. Back injury and spinal surgery saw my exit from the Corps in October 1987 and I then set about achieving more formal qualifications, primarily through Sussex University, South Devon College and Guildford College of Further and Higher Education. I now play both as an amateur and professionally, I am a free lance lecturer and trainer in law and legislation, security procedures, terrorism threat, risk assessment and conflict resolution. I also run a successful clinic in alternative therapies such as neuro muscular massage, deep tissue therapy, sports therapy and aromatherapy. [Paul’s solo, Alfie, in our second CD is testament to his considerable talent as one of the band’s finest instrumentalists – Ed].