The Harrogate Band has helped play their part in remembering the sacrifice of a young Second World War serviceman who died far from home in 1943.

Canadian pilot

26 year old Flying Officer FS Taylor of the Royal Canadian Air Force, died in June 1943 on a practice flight near Harrogate, and is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in the town.

Last year, his only surviving relatives, Maureen and Jim Bradbury from Kelowna, British Columbia came to Harrogate to visit the grave and heard the band play during the Remembrance Service.

Honour

Keith Graham, who was the band chairman at the time, helped the couple research further into their relative’s past, and this year after performing at the Remembrance Service, the band walked over to the grave and played the hymn tune ‘There is a Green Hill Far Far Away’ in his honour, with Keith placing a crucifix and poppyby Flying Officer FS Taylor's headstone.

We are proud to have been able to make a connection to this man from thousands of miles away and decades in the past and to honour his memoryHarrogate Band

Connection

A Harrogate Band spokesperson added: "It's when you learn about the personal aspect of war that it hits home to you the magnitude of the horror and sacrifice.

We are proud to have been able to make a connection to this man from thousands of miles away and decades in the past and to honour his memory."