One of the greatest ever cornet players in UK banding history is to be honoured on Friday 1st June in the village that bears his name on its War Memorial.

Edwin Firth was the renowned principal cornet of Foden's Band. He was killed in action serving his country on 1st June 1918 and is buried in the Varennes Military Cemetery in Picardie near to where he died.

Finest

He was regarded as the finest cornet player of his generation and joined Foden's in 1909 aged 19, leading them to numerous victories, including wins at both the National Championship and the British Open.

In addition he was also a prize winning composer, with his march 'Westward Ho!' a staple concert favourite with bands many decades after his death.

In 1917 and at the height of his brass banding fame he enlisted with the London Regiment (Artists Rifles) and was soon posted to France. He died as a result of a shell explosion while serving in Varennes, north west of Amiens.

Services

Exactly a century later a service will be held at the War Memorial in Elworth village, the home of Foden's Band (1.30pm) led by a Minister from the Royal British Legion. It will be followed by another service at Sandbach Memorial at 2.30pm.

Concert

At 7.30pm, a special Memorial Concert will be given by Foden's Band at Sandbach School Theatre, with a reprise concert given on Sunday 3rd June (2.00pm) at the same venue.

A large selection of memorabilia and artefacts owned by Edwin Firth's family and the band will be displayed at both events.

He was regarded as the finest cornet player of his generation and joined Foden's in 1909 aged 19, leading them to numerous victories, including wins at both the National Championship and the British Open4BR

Fitting

Current Foden's principal cornet Mark Wilkinson told 4BR: "The band has worked extremely hard to arrange events fitting of this anniversary.

The concerts will provide a time line of Edwin's life and will also feature a piece entitled 'Goodbye', played on his actual cornet — the last solo he played with Foden's."

Video

Foden's have produced a short video to promote the concert at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEUgARu7rjw