The death has been announced of former Lindley Band flugel player Geoffrey Yorke (pictured right).

In recent months members had liaised with Geoffrey to record his reminiscences of his banding career with Lindley — one that started on cornet in 1938 when he was aged just 9. These will now provide an invaluable resource for a future project recording the history of the band.

Military duties

A band spokesperson told 4BR: "It was amazing. Geoffrey informed us that after the outbreak of War in 1939, Lindley was re-designated as the Home Guard Band and the children were dismissed as men were required to perform local military duties.

However, by special permission of the Major, Geoffrey was retained as a player and 'bugle boy' and was provided with a made to measure army uniform!

The band had to entertain at the numerous army training camps in the area, and in the school holidays Geoffrey lived on the camps and played the 'Last Post' and 'Reveille' each day."

He played 10 times in the British Open, including 1964, when Lindley gave a brilliant performance of 'Lorenzo' under Leonard Lamb to come runner-up4BR

British Open runner-up

Geoffrey was also an integral part of a band that eventually rose from the Fourth to the Championship Section — playing flugel on no less than 11 occasions in the Grand Shield and 10 times in the British Open, including 1964, when they gave a brilliant performance of 'Lorenzo' under Leonard Lamb to come runner-up.

A band comprising some current members and players from Geoffrey's era played at his funeral service held recently at Huddersfield Crematorium.