The Rushden Echo and Argus, 9^th February, 1945

Mission Band Anniversary

Members’ Fine Record of War Service

  With wartime conditions reducing its active membership to 15, Rushden Mission Band held its 47^th anniversary services over the weekend.

  All the hymns sung at the weekend services in the Mission Church were selected by bandsmen on service, and in each selection the tune “Elim” was chosen.  The Sunday morning hymns were chosen by an R.A.F. bandsman in England, the evening selection by the bandmaster, now serving in an R.A.S.C. unit on the Gold Coast of West Africa, and Monday evening’s hymns by an R.AF. bandsman just returned from the India Command after three years’ duty there.

  Services on Sunday were conducted by the Rev. Harry J. Blackmore, of Hull, formerly of Irthlingborough, and Madame Olive Hind, soprano, was the soloist.  The organists were Mr. W. F. Tassell, and Miss T. Clark.

  Mr. Blackmore, who is one of the Christian Commando Crusaders, lectured on Monday evening about his campaign experiences at Darlington and Bristol.  Mr. C. W. Horrell, J.P., C.A., was in the chair.

Roll of Honour

  The band’s “roll of honour” is as follows: E. Mackness, R.A.F. (maintenance), baritone; W. Panter, Fleet Air Arm, tenor horn; P. Long, R.A.F. (Coastal Command), euphonium; H. Underwood, R.A.F. (India Command), trombone; E. Baker and W. Valentine (prisoners of war in Japanese hands since the fall of Singapore), cornets; Horace Golding, Army (returned from N. Africa), cornet; Len Golding, Army (serving in Burma), cornet; C. Pentelow, R.A.F. (India Command) tenor horn; Jeff Billingham, R. Navy (Mediterranean, recently mentioned in despatches), euphonium; Derek Billingham, Army (B.L.A.), cornet; B. Bailey, R.A.F. (returned after three years in India) cornet; G. Eades, R.A.F. (India Command), cornet; C. Moule, Army (India Command), baritone; J. Elsigood, Army (awaiting draft for B.L.A.), trombone; C. Coleman, Army (home service), cornet; S. Parker, R. Navy, tenor horn; D. Binder (Ensa and now in Army), baritone; E. Valentine, R.A.F. (four years M.E.F.), G. Scholes, N.F.S., drums; G. Abrams, R.A.F. (baled out twice from “ops”), cornet; C. Ekins, R.A.F. (India Command), baritone; M. F. Clark (bandmaster), Army (Gold Coast, W. Africa).

  S. G. Clark and A. G. Panter, solo cornet and solo trombone, have lost their lives.