One of the greatest marches ever written is set to be celebrated on television this week nearly 60 years after it was first recorded.

Dambusters

The BBC1 series ‘Real Lives Re-united’ has brought together some of the surviving players of the RAF Central Band, including former Cory MD Denzil Stephens, now aged 84, who recorded ‘The Dambusters’ march written by Eric Coates in 1953.

The iconic music was used in the famous 1955 film recalling World War II ‘Operation Chastise’ which saw the planes of 617 Squadron use the ‘Bouncing Bomb’ devised by Barnes Wallace to help destroy the dams of the Rhur valley in Germany.

Operations

Denzil is currently recuperating at home in Cornwall after two major operations on his spine, although he is getting set to return to conducting the Lostwithiel Band next week.

Happy memories

He told 4BR that the programme brought back many happy memories.

He recalled: "I was called up for National Service on my 21st birthday, although luckily Alex Mortimer, who was the MD at Black Dyke when I played solo euphonium there, called ahead so that I could try out for the Central Band through Wing Commander Sims at RAF Uxbridge.

I managed to get in and subsequently a little later we did the recording — although we didn’t know it would become so famous until after the success of the film."

Exercise

Coates did not in fact write the march for the film itself – the work being something of a compositional exercise he undertook for his own enjoyment, whilst the film score was completed by Leighton Lucas, who later became conductor at Back Dyke.

Denzil added: "It was one of many fortunate episodes in my musical career there as Harry Mortimer also kept an eye out for me.

He arranged for me to play with a number of the main London orchestras and I was lucky enough to record ‘The Planets’ under Malcolm Sargent."

It was a bit strange recalling something that happened all those years ago, but I’m still very proud to have played my part in itDenzil Stephens

Delighted

Denzil Stephens has also remained attached to the famous march ever since and was delighted to have taken part in the programme.

"It was a bit strange recalling something that happened all those years ago, but I’m still very proud to have played my part in it."

Back to conducting

Now though he is looking forward to getting back to conducting his own band once more.

"I’ve made a great recovery and keen to get back to conducting," he said. "I really enjoy my banding life in Cornwall and this year is my seventh at the helm at Lostwithiel — with hopefully many more to come."