Photo Credit: Kitsilano Boys Band departing for England on its 9th European Tour, 1966, The Life & Times of the Legendary Mr. D
NOSTALGIC VANCOUVER Given the difficulties encountered on the band’s eighth tour of the Old Country in 1962, it would be four years before Arthur took his boys back to England for their ninth tour. On this tour they not only visited England and Scotland but they did a whirlwind tour of the capital cities of Western Europe. The trip cost the band $53,000 and it would only last seven and a half weeks.
Malcolm Brodie happened to run into Graeme Monteith, a clarinet player in the Kits Band, a few weeks before the band’s departure for Europe. Graeme told Malcolm the band was going overseas and they still needed a trombone player. Was he interested? They had to arrange things very quickly and Malcolm ended up making the trip. (Malcolm Brodie ’66, Mayor of Richmond, President of Trans Link)
The boys departed Vancouver International Airport July 19 on CP Air bound for Amsterdam. This would be their first trip to Europe traveling entirely by airplane. Airline travel was fast out-pacing ocean liners as the economical way to travel to Europe in the sixties. Besides, it did not take nearly as long. Somewhere over Scotland, Arthur could be heard playing Reveille on his trumpet. From Amsterdam they headed directly to London on British European Airways, where they stayed in the borough of Woolwich.
One of the boys on that trip was a little over weight but a good player. He was quickly dubbed Wally by the others because of his slovenly manner. His guardians at the airport told Mr. D that he was not to go anywhere that alcohol was being served and that he was to be in bed by such and such an hour. All good Christian values, as they saw it. When everyone got off the bus at Woolwich Arsenal, Mr. D said, “Wally, I’m thirsty. Go into that pub over there and get me an orange pop.” That was Mr. D being defiant and mischievous. Don’t let the boy go anywhere near where there is alcohol. Wally, go into the pub and get me an orange pop. (George Ellenton 1966, Dance Instructor/Musical Theatre Director)
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