The Downton Band, in association with the Downton Branch of the Royal British Legion marked the centenary of the end of the First World War with this thoughtfully presented concert featuring music from composers who fought in the conflict.

It included the beautiful pastoral ‘The Banks of Green Willow’ by George Butterworth who lost his life on the Somme, as well as from Maurice Ravel who commemorated his fallen comrades in his piano work ‘Le Tombeau de Couperin’.

Honoured

Also honoured were the many Downton villagers who served, including members of the 1914 band who left the picturesque village to fight all over the world.

It saw solo euphonium Andy Ashcroft play ‘La Belle Americaine’ in honour of former incumbent William H Harrington who fought as far as Gaza and Jerusalem before being wounded and sent home. 

23 year old tenor horn player Ralph Bundy, who fell on the Somme, was remembered with ‘All in the April Evening’, whilst principal cornet Richard Plaskett, gave an emotional rendition of Puccini’s ‘Nessun Dorma’ in memory of Harry Winton, a cornet player who was killed at Gallipoli.

23 year old tenor horn player Ralph Bundy, who fell on the Somme, was remembered with ‘All in the April Evening’, whilst principal cornet Richard Plaskett, gave an emotional rendition of Puccini’s ‘Nessun Dorma’ in memory of Harry Winton, a cornet player who was killed at Gallipoli.

Principal cornet

The band also honoured their former principal cornet William ‘Churby’ Bundy who was twice hospitalised - and who was awarded the Wiltshire Regiment’s Silver Bugle and the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

The evening was concluded with a presentation by the Royal British Legion to the band’s current principal cornet Richard Plaskett for 30 years of service performing the 'Last Post' on Armistice Day.

Paul Williams