4BR has been informed of the deeath of Fred Tranter.

John Gilham told 4BR:

As a young man Fred’s family lived and worked in the mining area of the Midlands and he knew the tragedy of mining fatalities. His family steered him away from working in the mines and his career started in Local Government and finished on his retirement from the local District Council.

War service

World War II saw Fred in the Royal Ordnance Corps and posted to North Dorset and West Wilts. There he met Florence the love of his life.

His daughter Ann and Brian his Son-in-Law, gave him his much loved grandchildren Clive and Louise.

One of Fred's hobbies was football which he played at a high standard both in the Midlands and locally after being demobbed from the Army.

He was Station Commander at the Mere, Wiltshire Fire Station. His duties included working to save lives on the then notorious black spot, the A303.

We may never see the likes of Fred again, He was the doyen of brass bandingJohn Gilham

Main hobby

Fred's main hobby was always brass banding, and he worked relentlessly and with joy to uplift the standards of his local band.

He embarked on training young people for Gillingham (Dorset) Imperial Silver Band. Their tonal qualities and playing abilities, which he seemed able to impart to every trainee, produced results at very high levels. His players swept all before them in competitions and set standards which other bands had to set out to emulate.

Albert Hall

They were eventually invited to play at the presentation ceremony of the National Brass Band Championships at the Albert Hall. This was without precedent in the five counties.

These quality young players fed into the senior band which uplifted the band into the higher sections of brass band playing in Wessex.

Fred's players were encouraged to become full time musicians The Royal Marines was the recipient of Gillingham (Dorset) Imperial Silver Band trainees. It was stated that at one stage the Dorset Regimental Band had six ex-Gillingham (Dorset) Band trained players.

A Musical College Principal is listed amongst ex-trainees. The character building of many of the ex-pupils has seen them embark on successful careers.

Records

He held all the records. Fred led the band at 43 consecutive Marnhall Remembrance Day parades. The Band under his baton plaved at Salisbury, Wiltshire Cathedral, at all the area's carnivals, concerts and parades in the town. He set up the long standing twinning of the band with Hille in Germany. Fred was a human dynamo.

We may never see the likes of Fred again, He was the doyen of brass banding in this area, a Freeman of Gillingham (Dorset). It has been an honour to know him.