MarForRes Band honors Brother-in- arms and Measures

By Lance Cpl. Frans E. Labranche, Marine Forces Reserve


SLIDELL, La. - (Sept. 9, 2007) -- The Marine Forces Reserve Band honored a fallen British ally by dedicating a special selection from its Partriot’s Day performance to him here at Heritage Park Sept. 9.


The band, conducted by Chief Warrant Officer Michael Smith, played tribute to Lance Cpl. Kirk Redpath, Badger Squadron, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, Irish Guard, who performed with the Royal British Legion Band and was killed by an improvised explosive devise in Iraq on Aug. 9.


Redpath, a drummer, met Smith two years ago at an international music event in New York, and the two became good friends.


“Redpath and I both played the drums, so we had a lot in common,” explained Smith. “He was good guy, a good friend to the Marine Corps and a good ally in the Global War on Terror.”


In honor of his friend, Smith secured the rights for the MarForRes Band to be the first American band to play Quis Separabit, the official march and motto of the Irish Guard – meaning “Who shall separate us.” The piece was written by Brian Cunnigham.


Redpath joined the Royal British Legion Band and Corps of Drums at age 12. Many years of interactions with an Irish Guard warrant officer prompted him to join in September 2003 at the age of 18.


“Kirk was a person that once he had set his mind to something he went out and did it to the best of his ability, there were no half measures,” said Ian Yeoman, Royal British Legion Band drum major. “He would split his time between Army training and the legion band, driving an hour and a half to instruct new band recruits.”


Redpath was deployed in May interrupting work with Smith to find the composer of Quis Separabit, which had been requested for a Marine Corps retirement ceremony. Working alone, Smith found Cunningham and secured the rights to play the march.

Unfortunately, days later Smith discovered that Redpath was killed the day prior to Smith receiving playing rights from Cunningham.


In spite of the grief, Smith was determined to honor his fallen comrade, and settled on the musical score for the Patriot’s Day event.


“I immediately knew how to pay tribute to such a great musician and friend,” Smith said.


Admiration of Redpath’s talent was not limited to Smith. According to messages posted on the internet in memoriam, Redpath’s positive influence was felt by many.


“Redpath’s death has come as a massive shock,” wrote one such reflector, Captain James Bullock-Webster, an Intelligence Officer and Lance Corporal Redpath’s Platoon Commander. “’Rederz’ was undoubtedly a fantastic person, a great role model and friend to all. He was professional, incredibly keen, extremely competent and always made us giggle.”


The MarForRes Band also played several up-beat selections to reflect Redpath’s character and the importance of his sacrifice. The numbers included the Armed Forces Medley, by Joyce Eilers, and Hymn to the Fallen, by John Willams, from the motion picture “Saving Private Ryan.”



The ceremony commemorated the Sept. 11 attacks and was dedicated to the resolve of the American people and the Heroes who have given all in defense of freedom, continuing the fight in every clime and place, said Smith.

Ellie