The cornet played by the great Edwin Firth when he was principal cornet of Foden's Band has been creating media attention 100 years after his tragic death.

Firth was regarded as the finest cornet player of his generation, helping the band to win the National Championships in 1910 and the British Open on no less than five occasions between 1909 and 1915. He was killed in action in France in June 1918 aged 29.

Images

Following a number of performances by Foden's current principal cornet Mark Wilkinson this year, photographer Lorne Campbell was asked to take some commemorative images for potential publication in the national press, and with the kind permission of Edwin's grandson, Martyn Firth, Mark reunited with the instrument once again.

It's a remarkable cornet, and since being restored it sounds as if it came out of its case yesterdayMark Wilkinson

Pleasure to play

"It's a remarkable cornet, and since being restored it sounds as if it came out of its case yesterday,"Mark said.

"It's a pleasure to play- lighter in tone to a modern instrument due to its high pitch, but still producing a sound that would fit in with today's brass bands."

He added: "Our thanks go to Martyn Firth for allowing Foden's to use the instrument and to Lorne Campbell for being able to bring it to the attention of the national press."