Top honour for Hull soldier after battlefield symphony uncovered
PIECE OF MUSIC FOUND BY GREAT-GREAT-NEPHEW
A HULL soldier will be honoured by the National College of Music after a symphony he wrote in the trenches was discovered – 100 years after he first wrote it.
Joseph Payne, of east Hull, wrote “Villages of Picardy – Valtz Brilliante” about the French region on July 10, 1918, when he was serving in the First World War.
The classic tune had been undiscovered since, but was recently found by his great-great-nephew.
Ross Ryalls, 39, of Leven, found the piece of music after going through his late grandmother’s belongings after she passed away.
Doreen Wilson (née Payne) was Joseph’s niece and had kept the symphony since her own father – Joseph’s brother – had died.
Ross said: “She showed me it when
I was a kid, and I didn’t realise how special it was and we didn’t really think about getting it played.
“She died about four years ago and it was only two years ago that we came across it.”
Ross said a school friend of his is part of the Driffield Silver Band and he asked them to take a look so he and his family could listen to the composition.
He said: “It’s quite complex, but the band played it. Someone from the band must have passed it on to the Royal College of Music and they decided to honour Joseph.”
The National College of Music said the piece “credits” Joseph as a composer and to their college.
The College told Ross they would like to honour Joseph with a posthumous
Honorary Fellowship – their highest reward.
Ross said: “I didn’t know a lot about my grandmother’s uncle, but her brother is still alive and he’s given me a bit of information.
“Joseph wrote the song while in the trenches.
“There were six siblings, his sister’s son is also a really good pianist.
“My grandmother’s father was also really good and it was given to him and then must have been passed on to my grandmother when he died.
“After the war, Joseph lived near Preston Road. He had his own children and probably grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, but we’ve lost touch.
“I’m trying to find out a bit more about him and the family. I think Joseph lived a long time after the war and taught music from his home, so kept up the music.”