Skip to content 
Join Us in Honouring and Supporting Our Heroes
At Marlowe Environmental Services, we are proud to honour Remembrance Day on Monday, November 11th, with a series of events organised across our offices to recognise and pay tribute to the sacrifices of our Armed Forces. Our commitment to this annual commemoration reflects our ongoing respect and support for current and former service members within our organisation and beyond.
As part of this year’s activities, Bob Scurfield, Marlowe’s Armed Forces Lead within our Employee Champions Group, has shared a heartfelt message about our planned observances. A main ceremony will be held at our Dinnington office, led by our colleague Alan Lindsay, a former Trumpeter in the Household Cavalry, who will play the traditional Last Post and Reveille during the two-minute silence observed nationwide at 11:00 a.m.
In addition to Dinnington, we will hold Remembrance events at our Gloucester, Basildon, and Tamworth offices. These gatherings will include readings of the Ode of Remembrance and the laying of commemorative wreaths, which will later be placed at local War Memorials as a gesture from Marlowe Environmental Services. Each location will feature remembrance displays and offer colleagues the opportunity to write personal messages on cards, which will be added to the wreaths before they are relocated to local memorial sites.
We are grateful for the respect and recognition that our colleagues show to our Armed Forces throughout the year, and especially at this meaningful time. At Marlowe Environmental Services, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that honours our service members and their contributions.
In conversation with Alan Lindsay
What initially drew you to join the army? Was it a family tradition, a calling, or something else that inspired you?
We have had several family members associated with the Armed Forces prior to myself joining and although I enjoyed their stories, watched and attended ceremonies such as Trooping of the Colour, The Royal Tournament and Festival of Remembrance it wasn’t until I was around the age 15 that I started to pay any interest into a career within the military.
As a young boy (age 7) I started to play a cornet with the local brass band, which I really enjoyed; at 13 my playing got to such a level that I was able to attend Leicestershire School of Music where I was introduced to my Brass Professor who was an Ex Military Musician with the Blues & Royals. He was the person who got me to think about a career in the forces and encouraged me to audition for the Band Blues & Royals part of the Household Division.
When did you join the military, and what role or branch did you serve in? Did you serve under any particular regiment or unit?
In August 1984 I joined the Army and went to Pirbright the home of the Guards Depot to carry out my 8 weeks basic training. Some people do not make it through this initial training but I thrived on it I loved everything about it, I knew I had made the right choice. After passing out I went to Windsor to start my 6 month mounted training; now this was a shock to system learning how to ride a horse to military standard.
After Passing out of riding school in full ceremonial uniform, I finally joined the Band of the Blues Royals as a musician. After six months with the band in a musical environment I trained as an Army Medic. Many people don’t realise that this is a key role of musicians in the army. The Blues and Royals are part of the Household Cavalry. It is the second most senior regiment in the British Army and operates as both an armoured reconnaissance unit and a ceremonial guard of the monarch, the regiments origins date back to the mid-17th century.
Are there any particular moments or experiences you remember most vividly?
I have experienced many things during my time both in the capacity of a Military Army Medic and as a Musician. Being part of one of the most prestigious regiments in British Army history, I had the opportunity to travel around the world performing in Military Tattoos, Horse Shows, Staged Concerts, Trooping of the Colour and State Occasion. I was also very lucky to be selected as member of the State Trumpeters performing at all Royal and State occasions. As a military medic we were deployed during the ambulance strike in 1989 for 6 months in London for all emergency call outs using military field ambulances and again in 1991 for Operation Desert Storm during the 1991 Gulf War.
Remembrance Day is a time for reflection. How do you personally observe this day, and what does it mean to you?
The opportunity to remember family, absent friends and colleagues lost in conflict situations over the past 80 years. Since leaving the Army I have attended many remembrance day parades across the country, and it is important that we do not forget all past and present. This year I spent three days in Normandy for the D-Day 80th Celebration and exhibitions, the Standing with Giants installation at the ‘British Normandy Memorial’ and was one of the most moving things I have ever seen.
What was the transition like from military to civilian life? Were there specific challenges or moments of growth during this time?
My resettlement course were very good, one which was a 3 month residential course at Bristol University on Business Management, after that there was no other support at all. I remember applying for over 100 jobs via post not email and only getting one interview, all the others said not enough experience. The one interview I did get, I took the opportunity to make sure I came away with something. The military taught me to be resilient and I walked out that interview with a Job offer.
What would you say to younger generations considering joining the military today?
I have discussed and given advice on life within the military, I have also encouraged numerous young men and women to join up, some of who are serving today including my own son. The friendship bonds are very special and unique and I still regularly talk to the guys that I joined up with and served with at my regiment. The Military has changed a lot since I was in, one thing that hasn’t changed is their values – Courage, Discipline, Respect for Others, Integrity, Loyalty, Selfless commitment. I am proud to have been a member of the armed forces it taught me all of the above values which I still adhere to today.
Join Our Team
If you share our values of empathy, inclusivity, and service, we encourage you to explore a career with Marlowe Environmental Services. Together, we strive to create a workplace that champions the unique contributions of every individual, including those who have served our country with honor.
To learn more about our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and opportunities to join our team, please visit our website. Join us in building a future that supports and respects all who contribute to our communities.