Kenneth J. Alford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frederick Joseph Ricketts
Major F.J. Ricketts, psm, R.M.
Born	21 February 1881 Ratcliff, London, England
Died	15 May 1945(1945-05-15) (aged 64) Reigate, Surrey, England
Nationality	British
Other names	Kenneth J. Alford
Occupation	British Army WO1 Bandmaster; Royal Marines Major Director of Music; composer, arranger
Known for	British March King

Frederick Joseph Ricketts (born February 21, 1881 – died May 15, 1945) was a British composer. He was famous for writing marches for bands. He used the pen name Kenneth J. Alford for his music. Ricketts served as a Bandmaster in the British Army. Later, he became a Director of Music for the Royal Marines. Sir Vivian Dunn, a famous conductor, called him "The British March King." Ricketts often used the saxophone in his music. This helped make the saxophone a common instrument in military bands.

Early Life and Musical Start

Frederick Joseph Ricketts was born in London on February 21, 1881. He was the fourth child of Robert and Louisa Ricketts. Sadly, his father died when he was seven. His mother passed away when he was fourteen.

From a young age, Ricketts learned to play the piano and organ. He also sang in a church choir. Growing up in London's East End, he often heard street musicians. He loved listening to bands play. He decided that joining an army band was the best path for his future.

Joining the Army Band

In 1895, Ricketts joined the Royal Irish Regiment. He started as a Band Boy. He was very good at playing the cornet. This skill earned him a spot in the regimental band.

The band traveled with the regiment to Limerick, Ireland. Then they went to India. In his free time, Ricketts learned to play all the other instruments in the band. When he was just 15, he wrote his first piece. It was called "For Service Overseas," but it was never published.

In 1903, Ricketts was chosen for a special course. This was the Student Bandmaster Course. It was held at the Royal Military School of Music in Twickenham. It was rare for someone as young as Ricketts to be nominated. But his musical talent was clear to everyone.

Training at Kneller Hall

Ricketts began his two-year course at Kneller Hall in the summer of 1904. This training was very challenging. He worked hard and successfully graduated in 1906.

Becoming a Bandmaster and Composer

In 1908, Ricketts became the Bandmaster for the 2nd Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He traveled with them to the Orange River Colony. This area is now part of South Africa. The colonel asked him to write a new march for the Argylls. Ricketts composed "The Thin Red Line." This march was not published until 1925.

Ricketts loved composing music. However, army officers of his rank were not allowed to do commercial work outside the military. So, Ricketts decided to use a different name for his published music. He chose the pen name Kenneth J. Alford. His first march under this new name was "Holyrood."

Music During World War I

Just before World War I began, Ricketts wrote his most famous march. It was called "Colonel Bogey." The exact story of how he composed it is a bit of a mystery. Ricketts's wife said it came from a game of golf. She recalled that Ricketts and another soldier started whistling a tune. This tune later became the famous march.

During World War I, Ricketts and the Argylls' Band Boys stayed in Edinburgh. They were there for the entire war. Ricketts wrote several marches during this time. These pieces honored the British military. They included "The Great Little Army" (1916), "On The Quarter Deck," "The Middy," "The Voice of the Guns" (1917), and "The Vanished Army (They Never Die)" (1919).

Moving to the Royal Marines

In 1921, Ricketts wanted to become a bandmaster for the Royal Marines. He applied for a position with the Band of the Plymouth Division. He was offered the job. However, there were some rules that prevented him from taking it right away.

In 1927, Ricketts applied again. This time, his application was approved. On July 4, 1927, he became a lieutenant in the Royal Marines Band Service. He was first stationed at the Marines' Depot at Deal in Kent. In 1930, Ricketts was moved to the Band of the Plymouth Division.

Family Life

Frederick Joseph Ricketts married Annie Louisa Holmes on September 5, 1907. This was while he was working at the Royal Military School of Music. Annie, also known as Nan, came from a musical family. Her brother was a partner in a music publishing company. Nan often helped Ricketts with his music. She gave him ideas and helped him make decisions about his compositions.

Frederick and Annie had six children: Kenneth (born 1909), Leo (born 1911), Sheila (born 1913), Paula (born 1916), Gordon (born 1918), and José (born 1922).

Later Years and Passing

Ricketts retired from the Royal Marines on June 1, 1944. He retired due to poor health. He passed away at his home in Reigate, Surrey, on May 15, 1945. He had an operation for an illness before his death. Ricketts served his country for almost 50 years.

Famous Marches by Kenneth J. Alford

• The Thin Red Line (1908) - This march was named after his regiment's nickname. They earned it during the Crimean War.
• Holyrood (1912) - Named after the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. It celebrates the visit of King George V and Queen Mary. This march is now used by the RAF Regiment.
• Colonel Bogey (1914) - This is his most famous march. The tune came from notes Ricketts heard whistled on a golf course.
• The Great Little Army (1916) - This piece honors the brave British soldiers of World War I.
• On the Quarter Deck (1917)
• The Middy (1917) - Both "On the Quarter Deck" and "The Middy" were written about the naval Battle of Jutland in 1916.
• The Voice of the Guns (1917) - This march was originally for British artillery in World War I. It later became popular with the entire British army. It was even featured in the film Lawrence of Arabia (1962).
• The Vanished Army (1918) - This march remembers the first 100,000 soldiers who died in World War I. Its subtitle is "They Never Die."
• Cavalry of the Clouds (1923) - This march was written to honor the new Royal Air Force.
• Dunedin (1928) - Named after the Dunedin Exhibition in New Zealand.
• Old Panama (1929) - Ricketts traveled through the Panama Canal on his way back from Dunedin.
• HM Jollies (1929) - "HM Jollies" is a nickname for the Royal Marines. The march includes parts of other famous sea songs.
• The Standard of St George (1930) - This march was inspired by watching the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
• By Land and Sea (1941) - This march was based on Alford's entry in a competition for an official slow march for the Royal Marines. Its title means "By Sea, By Land," which is the Royal Marines' motto.
• Army of the Nile (1941) - This march was dedicated to General Wavell. He stopped the advance of the Axis Powers in Egypt during World War II.
• Eagle Squadron (1942) - This march honors the Eagle Squadron. These were American pilots who flew for the RAF before the United States joined World War II. The march includes parts of The Star-Spangled Banner and Dixie.

Other Musical Works

• Valse Riviera (1912) - A waltz.
• A Musical Switch (1921) - A humorous piece.
• The Two Imps (1923) - A duet for xylophones.
• The Lightning Switch (1924) - A fantasy piece.
• Mac and Mac (1928) - Another xylophone duet.
• The Smithy (1933) - A pastoral fantasy.
• Colonel Bogey on Parade (1939) - A march fantasy.
• The Hunt (1940) - A rhapsody.
• Lillibullero (1942) - This march is often linked to Henry Purcell, but Ricketts likely arranged it. It's the official march of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
• A Life on the Ocean Wave (1944) - Ricketts re-arranged this famous ballad. It is a regimental march for the Royal Marines.

Images for kids

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  Major F.J. Ricketts, psm, R.M.