During the period of his bandmastership, Courtney Bosanko had a band numbering between 40 and 45, and he was unable to accommodate all those wanted to join the section. A floating system was introduced whereby bandsmen unable to command a regular place would step in for those who were sick or on holiday. After floating for 3 or 4 years in some cases a permanent place could often be found following the transfer or retirement of another member.
Such retirements occurred between 1952 and 1955 when the band said farewell to four stalwarts who had given exampiary service: Harold Walker, Will Rice, Percy Cutler and Bill Andrews.
Harold Walker played his last cornet solo at Poole on 19th February 1955 and his rendition of Haydn's Trumpet Concerto proved that even in his fifties he was still one of the Army's leading cornetists. Such was his stamina that even after a hectic hand practise he would continue to play for 20 minutes or so, often testing, out the latest cornets supplied through the Bandmasters music shop. He has even been known to carry through a musical festival as the only solo cornet. Not only was he an excellent cornet player, but he was equally at home with his Bible. His heart warming messages and thought-provoking Bible talks were very much appreciated by his fellow bandsmen, and had been responsible for leading several people to Christ.
For 10 years he had also held the position of Deputy Bandmaster and it was mainly due to his faithfulness in this respect during the war years that he was able to hand over a worthy combination to Bandmaster Herbert Mountain.
When giving his testimony upon retirement, Bandsman Walker said
If I had my time over again I would do exactly the same. I could not do better for I have done my very best.My spiritual experience is better, today than it has ever been, and I retire a happy man.
The retirement of Will Rice marked the end of an era for the band as he had shared with Frank Antell a partnership of 40 years on Boscombe's Bb bass section. In fact, between them, they had devoted 100 years to Army banding.
Percy Cutler retired after 42 years service as a bandsman, the last 18 years being a non-playing librarian and Band Secretary. Known for his meticulous organisation, he was responsible for arranging much of the band's campaign to Holland in 1947, plus the tours of the North of England and Channel Islands. He had previously been a founder member of Boscombe YP Band.
For more than twenty years Bandsman Bill Andrews of Boscombe was unable to hear a note of musio played by the band, owing to severe deafness and throughout that time he had to rely solely on the conductor's beat. For 28 years he played solo euphonium, following an earlier spell on cornet, and before the deterioration of his hearing had served as Deputy Bandmaster.
At the time of Bill's retirement in 1956, his son Robin was already making a name for himself as a trombone soloist being regularly joined in the bandstand and festival programmes by a variety of soloists who included Percy Smith (trombone), Doug Lawrence (cornet), Band Sergeant Hector Main (Concertina), John Beale (piano), Geoff Otter and Bob Allison (vocal), Deputy Bandmaster Reg Tubbs (soprano), Chris Parker (euphonium) and Norman Cutler (elocution). In later years three additional cornet soloists were featured - Maurice Brotheridge, Glyn Bosanko and Graham Coote - also a trumpet player with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
