Breath of life
Historic bugle returns for Armistice Day
A bugle first blown in 1914 is due to get a new breath of life after being locked away for decades.
Rob Smith says his family has had the instrument for at least 100 years and it comes with a colourful history.
First the bugle was stolen off a Brit by a German in World War I, before a Kiwi pilfered it back.
But now he’s handing it over to the Waimate RSA in time for Armistice Day commemorations on November 11.
‘‘It’s been forgotten about for at least 40 years and I think it should be played.’’
Smith said the bugle, originally owned by the British Army, was taken off a dead German soldier by his great uncle William Smith during WWI, passed on to his grandfather Charles and then on to Rob’s father Doug, who himself was a World War II veteran.
Doug died on October 25 aged 93 and was buried in Waimate on Monday. ‘‘Dad’s instructions were to pass it on to me. It’s going to the Waimate RSA because it’s no use sitting around in the cupboard. It will be used every Armistice Day and Anzac Day from now on.’’
Veteran bugler David Owen, who normally plays a cornet, played it for the first time this week and said it was great to now have the opportunity to play a bugle at commemorations and funerals.
‘‘It’s a privilege to go and play for any deceased soldiers, it’s an honour,’’ Owen said.
Waimate RSA vice-president Rob Boswell thanked the Smith family for their ‘‘generous offer’’.
The bugle will now be used at every Anzac and Armistice service in Waimate.
‘‘We think it is a very important part of history. It’s really fantastic that we have had the opportunity to get something like that as a lot of these things get tossed in sheds, left in rafters or thrown away.
‘‘It will be used until it wears out or until there is no one around to play it."