In December 1935, two sailor boys from the training ship “Arethusa” arrived at the Band Block of The 4th Queen’s Own Hussars at Warburg Barracks, Aldershot.

WO1 WG Stocks
WO1 WG Stocks

For the smaller boy, “Bing”, it was the start of a long career as a musician in the 4th Queen’s Own Hussars and The Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars, He attended a course at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, from 28 November 1936 to 26 November 1937, before coming on to man service in 1938.

When war broke out, Bing remained with the boys and a few others of the Band who were posted to the 57th Training Regiment, serving with them in the United Kingdom, Italy and Greece, rejoining the 4th Hussar Band when it was reformed in 1946, He remained with the 4th Hussars and QRIH until his discharge in 1965, continuing his Army connection by enlisting into the Territorial Army in 1969.

On the sports side…. whilst in Malaya, Bing played regularly for the Regimental Soccer and Cricket XI, also in BAOR, when for the first time, the Cavalry Cup was won by the 4th Hussars.

Lieutenant Colonel S W Patch writes:

“As Bandmaster of The Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars from 1960, I was most fortunate to have “Bing” Stocks as Band Sergeant Major. A very high-class musician, with great experience in the running of the Band, (he was acting Bandmaster for some years before amalgamation), who gave unstinting loyalty, and guidance (without being overbearing), which stood me in good stead over my career in military music.

“An excellent sportsman, cricket and football of Regimental standard, he was not averse to hitting my spin bowling for six or putting goals past me, in my goal-keeping days.

To dear Maureen and his most supportive family, we offer our sincere condolences and love. As with all good Sergeant Majors, he was the “Boss” – as we called him with a sense of admiration and thanks.

Related topics

  1. A short history of The 4th Hussars
  2. A short history of The Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars