French trip for marching band
MORE than 250 of The Church Lads and Church Girls Brigade of the Leicestershire Regiment travelled to France to commemorate former members who died in the Battle of the Somme.
Members of St Mary’s and Atherstone Marching Brass also took part in a parade at Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme on July 15, 100 years on from when over half of the Church Lads Brigade lost their lives in the Battle of High Wood.
Sarah-Jane Findley, 21, from Hinckley, was one of those who took part in the procession,
She said: “The reason we were at Thiepval Memorial is because we’re part of the brigade, and they fought in World War One in the battle of High Wood.
“During the memorial we stood at the graves of soldiers who died from our brigade, mine was Lance Corporal Walter Carter, and we said their names at the same time before the last post played.
“It was very emotional, especially when the Hymn to the Fallen was played by our regimental band.”
The memorial features the names of more than 72,000 servicemen who died in the Battle of the Somme who have no known grave.
During the 100 year anniversary of the battle, services were held at the site over several days, with representatives from across the Commonwealth attending.
In the four day tip, the group also visited Lochnagar Crater and the war scarred land of Beaumont Hamal Newfoundland Memorial and cemeteries at Caterpillar Valley, London and Delville Wood.
Aside from paying tribute to the fallen, the group also had a trip to Disneyland Paris, where they played in a pre-parade show.
The performance was also broadcast live on the Royal British Legion website, and can still be viewed on the website at www. britishlegion.org.uk/community/ calendar/ww1-centenary/livefrom-thiepval-memorial-services-of-remembrance
For more on St Mary’s Hinckley and Atherstone Marching Brass visit www.stmaryshinckleyclcgb marchingbrass.co.uk