Major Tony Crease
Bandsman who topped the charts with Amazing Grace
MAJOR TONY CREASE, who has died aged 74, led the Pipes & Drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards as Pipe Major to the top of the hit parade with the band’s rendition of Amazing Grace.
In 1971, the Royal Scots Greys amalgamated with the 3rd Carabiniers and their bands came together to prepare for the Amalgamation Parade. In a project inspired by Crease, a recording took place for new regimental music. It included an arrangement by the Greys’ bandmaster, Stuart Fairbairn, of the hymn Amazing Grace.
Crease played the solo part, and the following year it was played on BBC Radio. It caught the national mood, and spent six weeks at No 1. International sales topped 11 million copies and the Pipes & Drums were awarded a gold disc.
Anthony James Crease was born at Peebles in Scotland, on June 22 1946. His father served in the TA during the Second World War while his mother was in the WRNS. His father’s work took the family to Beccles in Suffolk, where young Tony was educated at Sir John Leman School.
Aged 16 he caught the train to Bovington, Dorset, to join the Royal Armoured Corps Junior Leaders Regiment. He wanted to become a piper and was assigned to the Drums Squadron and subsequently seconded to Fort George, near Inverness, where he learnt to play the bagpipes.
After completing his tank training at Bovington, he joined the Royal Scots Greys and was posted to Fallingbostel in West Germany. He transferred to the Pipe Band and, aged 22, was sent to the Army’s Piping School (then in Edinburgh Castle) and qualified as a Pipe Major with a double A grade awarded by the Piobaireachd Society.
Under Pipe Major Crease’s leadership, the chart-topping hymn brought bagpipe music to a wide audience. The Pipes and Drums became famous. They toured Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand, played in front of celebrities, made more recordings and were awarded several more gold discs.
Crease also ensured that his soldiers were operational tank crewmen, and during two tours in Northern Ireland they gave invaluable service in an infantry role. In 1977 he took the Pipes and Drums to the coveted Grade 1 Status at the World Pipe Band Championships, and he was awarded the British Empire Medal.
After returning to regimental duties he was responsible for the motor transport troop before taking over as a squadron sergeant major and subsequently regimental sergeant major. In 1984 he was commissioned, and progressed from assistant adjutant to quartermaster. He was appointed MBE in 1999.
Crease retired from the regular Army to live near Bedale, North Yorkshire, and manage the rugged military training area that serves Catterick Garrison and the wider Army.
A passionate ornithologist and conservationist, in 1992 he created the Foxglove Covert Nature Reserve on the boundaries of Catterick Garrison. It extends to about 100 acres and has hosted more than 500,000 visitors.
He had considerable presence, and was sometimes held in awe, but his professionalism was widely admired. His advice was often sought, his praise and friendship were cherished and for many he will be remembered as a regimental legend.
Tony Crease’s first marriage, to Pat, ended in divorce, and he is survived by his second wife, Sophie, and the two sons of his first marriage.
Tony Crease, born June 22 1946, died January 4 2021