"THE QUARTERTONES"

As Remembered By Ginger (Peter) Combes

 

The article in the November issue regarding Forces Broadcasting Service prompted me to write about my connection with the service, as I was a member of a small harmony group that broadcasted on a number of occasions, and I hope one or more of the other members might read this and contact me. We preformed under the name of ‘The Quartertones’ and we sang over the airways with FBS and in fact were chosen to represent the Canal Zone in a worldwide link up to celebrate the Royal Coronation of HM Elizabeth II.

The photograph of the Quartertones in full flood are from left to right –
Pete Southon (tenor), Ray Nicholls (alto), Harry Summers (bass) and yours truly, Ginger (Peter) Combes (tenor)
singing into the FBS microphone at our regular Sunday morning sport entertaining the troops and married families.
We were originally formed from the ranks of Fayid Church Choir, which explained the uniqueness of our
disparate voices, namely two tenors, a bass and a male alto.
We were very probably rendering our version of ‘La Trois Cloche’ commonly known as The Jimmy Brown Song
as sung by Les Compagnions de la Chanson who were discovered by Edith Piaf, we did quite a
creditable impersonation considering they were a full choir to our four.

We were often lent to various Officers Mess concerts by our CO of RAF Fayid, and as it was impracticable to return to our own camp we invariably stayed overnight in the Sergeant Mess where we were treated like Lords and dined like Kings. We often entertained at camp concerts and won local talent shows and we planned to go professional after demob. We had offers from a Wing Commander who wanted to manage us and from a members of the Moss family group. Alas, it was not to be as it would have meant waiting for Harry to complete his times, my own breaking of an apprenticeship and Glyn Jones, our accompanist, giving up his university position.

We really enjoyed performing during our time together in the Canal Zone and our signature tune written by myself and arranged by Glyn Jones went like this:

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen
Don’t go away ‘til you’ve heard the gen
You’ll be glad that you did’nt when
You hear our harmonies – Beep be oh
Our object is to entertain
To bring you pleasure is our aim
The melodies are smooth and sweet
From Harry, Ginger, Nick and Pete
At the piano is maestro Glyn Jones
So just relax with the ‘Quartertones’.

At the end of our performance we would invariable close with:

That’s all for now – we have to go
The time has come to say “cheerio”
We hope you enjoyed the songs we’ve sung
Believe us folks it’s really been fun (spoken)
So close the piano – put out the light
The Quartertones now say Goodnight

Many years have gone by since 1952/3 and quite a lot of contaminated water from the Sweet Water Canal has sluggishly passed under the bridge in Fayid since then, when I served in the Zone and the sands of Egypt may well have drifted against the main gates of RAF Fayid. However, I well remember my old friends from those days and should be glad to hear from them. I would probably be unrecognizable now as my ginger hair has turned to silver and I am less agile due to a number of strokes I have suffered during the past few years, but I still get around on my motorized scooter and enjoy the Australian sun.

 

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