*
banner

Longridge honour the fallen

Members of the Longridge Band have just come back from Belgium after paying their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Longridge
 

Several members of Longridge Band, patrons and friends, have just returned from a trip to Belgium where they paid their won tribute to those who fell in battle.

Respects

The group visited many of the First World War cemeteries, museums and battlefields in Ypres, Arras and the Somme, and played two hymns and 'The Last Post' at Canada Farm Cemetery for the late gunner Richard Wallbank of Mersey Street — one of two men who played with the Longridge Band but never returned home. He died on the 28th October 1917.

Band Vice-President Derek Hicks, laid a wreath at the headstone on behalf of the band.

As well as visiting the Dressing Station where Canadian poet of John McCrae worked as a medic, the group visited the Langemark German Cemetery that contains 25,000 graves.

Band member

At Tyne Cot Cemetery (the largest Commonwealth War Cemetery) the group played hymns for two Longridge men who also gave their lives: John Sharples, who was possibly a member of the band, and Robert Almond. Their bodies were never found but they are commemorated on the wall of Tyne Cot.

As part of The Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, the group played 'Dear Lord and Father of Mankind' and 'Abide With Me' to a very large gathering of people from all corners of the globe.

Relative

The group also visited Lochnagar Crater and Thiepval Memorial, where they played at Beacon Cemetery at the grave of Richard Moon from Chipping. He died in April 1918 and left a widow and four children. His great granddaughter, Janet Clegg, plays in the current band.

Visits were also made to the Arras region where stops were made at Notre-Dame de Lorette (a French Cemetery) which incorporates the Musee Vivante.

Final mark

The final mark of respect was made at the Canadian Vimy Memorial Park, were the group played hymns and 'The Last Post' for the final time.

Local men who died and were commemorated in honour on the trip included:

At Tyne Cot Cemetery (the largest Commonwealth War Cemetery) the group played hymns for two Longridge men who also gave their lives4BR

Ypres — Menin Gate Memorial:
Tk. Dvr. Lance Corporal Arthur Parkinson (Died 31st July 1917)

Tyne Cot Cemetery:
Lance Corporal Robert Almond (Died 26th October 1917)
Pte William Gornall (Died 26th October 1917)
Pte James Smith (Died 29th April 1918)
John Sharples (Died 26th October 1917)

Thiepval Memorial:
Pte. John Lawrence Bleasdale
Pte. Percy Thomas Bourn
Pte. John Cowell
Cpl. Albert Hartley
Pte. Richard Hoyle
Pte. Joseph Ogden
Pte. J Moncur
Lance Corporal Christopher Seed
Sgt. Arthur Seed
Cpl. Hugh Seed
Cpl. Walter Sharples
Pte. Thomas Wallbank
Pte. George Willan

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


nybbgb

NYBBGB Tidworth Concert now on YouTube

May 30 • The impressive concert given by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and featuring Isobel Daws can now by enjoyed time and time again.


mUSIC

Pressure pays off as music still on offer at Cardiff University

May 28 • Music degrees will still be on offer at Cardiff University although under new plans to revise entry targets and content.


John Wallace

Wallace honoured by International Trumpet Guild

May 28 • John Wallace CBE follows in the musical footsteps of Maurice Andre, Philip Jones, Miles Davis and Maurice Murphy with his latest accolade.


BBE Seaside

Oh we do like to play beside the seaside...

May 28 • BBE launches its 'Brass at the Seaside' initiative to help bands reach out to new audiences.


Contest: Whit Friday March Contests

Friday 13 June • Saddleworth & Tameside OL3


Hebden Bridge Brass Band - The 13th annual Hebden Bridge March Contest

Sunday 15 June • St George's Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8ET


Croy Silver Band - Summer Concert

Thursday 26 June • Holy Cross Parochial Hall, Constarry Rd, Croy, Glasgow G65 9JG


The Portsmouth Grammar School - Concert by The Black Dyke Band

Saturday 28 June • St Marys Church, Fratton, Portsmouth PO15PA PO15PA


Simon Langton Brass - Deal Memorial Bandstand

Sunday 29 June • The Strand, Walmer, Deal CT14 7DY CT14 7DY


RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band

June 1 • A highly motivated and talented musician with strong organisational skills is required to lead the RAF Wyton Area Voluntary Band as the Voluntary Band Instructor. This is a full time paid position (37 hrs pw)


Croy Silver Band

June 1 • Croy Silver Band currently has contest vacancies on Cornet and Percussion, but we always welcome enquiries for any section of the band. We rehearse in Croy on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7:30pm.


Epping Forest Band

May 31 • Epping Forest band have a vacancy for solo horn.. We are a friendly 3rd section band with a variety of gigs through out the year.. We have our own band hut with close to links with London Underground central line and the M11 motorway.


Derek Renshaw

ABBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer and Adjudicator.


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd