Drum Major SJ Boorah Royal Marines

Drum Major Simon 'Bobby' Boorah joined the Royal Marines Band Service in September 1986 at the age of 17. On completion of 18 months training as a Royal Marines Bugler he joined Commander in Chief Fleet Band at RAF Northolt.

Whilst serving there he travelled extensively around the world with the Band and in 1990 he was one of forty members of the Band deployed on board RFA Argus to the Gulf. After serving five years at RAF Northolt he was drafted to HMS Invincible for a six-month deployment to the Adriatic along with a Colour Sergeant Volunteer Band Instructor and another RM Bugler. His duties on board included instructing the Volunteer Band's Corps of Drums and sorting the ship's on coming and off going mail.

In 1994 he was drafted to RM Band Portsmouth. Whilst serving here he successfully completed the Junior and Senior Command courses and also passed the Drum Major's course with a distinguished pass. He was then appointed the assistant Drum Major for the Band. In May 2000, due to the Band Service operational commitments, 'Bobby' attained his Drum Major's appointment earlier than expected serving for twelve months in RM Band Scotland before returning to RM Band Portsmouth for a brief spell.
In November 2001 he joined the Royal Marines School of Music in Portsmouth as the Drum Major Training. At the School of Music he was responsible for training all Musicians and Buglers Band drill after their successful completion of initial Phase 1 Training. He was also responsible for planning Band displays including the annual end of term Concert, prize giving and Beat Retreat in the Guildhall, Portsmouth.

In December 2004 he was drafted to RM Band Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, at Lympstone, before taking up his current appointment as Drum Major to the Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth in August 2007.

Throughout his career 'Bobby' has visited many different countries and says that one of the many highlights of his career was when he spent a month on deployment in Hong Kong prior to the hand over ceremony. He has also been awarded the Gulf Medal, NATO Medal, Queens Golden Jubilee Medal and the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

He is married to Amanda and currently resides, along with their six cats, in the Portsmouth area.