Rushden Mission Brass Band
Re-union 1947

Members and Relatives of the band pictured at the re-union at R Cox's cafe 1947. To see a full list of names, click here.

Before WWII the Mission Band had won several contests and made numerous radio broadcasts, however, during the war the members who were not called to active service continued to do Sunday services and many other commitments wherever possible.

One of the last pre-war band engagements was Aug 3^rd -1939 being a B.B.C. Broadcast (Mid.Reg.)

After the war the band re-united and a social event was celebrated. This took the form of a Dinner and Social held on Monday Feb 3^rd, at 6.30pm in Central Café (R. Cox’s).High St Rushden. All the band members and their immediate families were invited.

The Welcome was done by Albert.W.Underwood, and the response was given by Maurice.F.Clark

The Menu was: Table-d’Hotel Soup Roast Meat, Yorkshire Pudding, Vegetables Christmas Pudding and Sauce Tea or Coffee.

For “The Welcome Home Social” the Master of Ceremonies was Herbert Underwood.

Music, Games, Quiz, Competitions and dancing were on the agenda.

A Proud Record of War Service was presented.

Serving war Bandsmen who attended were:

M F Clark H M Army G Valentine H M Army H Golding H M Army E Mackness R A F L Kennell H M Army H Underwood R A F D Binder H M Army J Billingham H M Navy L Golding H M Army P Long R A F J V Bailey R A F C Pentelow R A F G Abrams R A F E Valentine R A F G Eades R A F C Moule H M Army C Coleman H M Army G Scholes N F S D Billingham H M Army D Ablett N F S T Johnson Merchant Navy J Elsigood H M Army W Panter R A F

Bandsmen who paid the supreme sacrifice were:

E Baker R A F W Valentine H M Army A Panter R A F S G Clark H M Army

Bandsmen who kept the Band going during the war period were:

E D Young Eb Bass R Clark* Cornet W Knight Bb Bass D Johnson Euphonium T Beesley Tenor Horn E A Panter Tenor Horn E B Johnson* Tenor Horn J Johnson (Boy) Cornet

*Warden and Auxiliary Services.

Auld-Lang Syne was played at 11pm

“Hats off to the past…………..Coats off to the Future”

To read the story of Rushden Mission Band, click here

To see more photographs of The Rushden Mission Band, click here.

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