Aldbourne Band’s involvement in WW1
As we focus on the upcoming Armistice Weekend, Aldbourne Band has had the opportunity to reach into its archives to better understand its players involvement in WW1 and the ultimate sacrifice of 5 members of the Band of that era. It is especially poignant reading the names as many of them are still common in the village and we are especially privileged to have some descendants of members of that time still playing with the Band today. In particular, we have James Sheppard (Bb Bass player and past long-standing Chairman) whose grandfather Fred Sheppard and great uncle Fred Barnes both served in WW1, and Martha Jerram, a Youth Band member, whose great great grandfather also served.
WW1 took its toll on the village with 190 men serving in the Armed Forces. 43 of those men never returned, 5 of whom were Bandsmen who we honour and remember their ultimate sacrifice.
These are;
William Thomas Dew: Private 21234. 6th Wilts Battalion. Died of Wounds received Friday 3rd Nov aged 23
John Orchard: 3186 Sgt. 8th Battalion Kings Royal Rifles D.C.M. (Baritone Player) aged 23
Chummny Westal: Euphonium Player (Although records are a little lost in time and he was only known by his nickname so cannot distinguish which Westal was in the Band as both were tragically lost.
TC Westal: 1013 Gunner Royal Marine Artillery. Died 10th August 1918
CE Westal: Gunner 198546 Royal Field Artillery. Died in Belgium, October 1917.
Frank Henry Wakefield: Corporal 26450. 2nd Wilts Regiment. Killed in action March 21st 1918
Richard John Loveday: 6th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment. Killed in action 29th April 1918
Other Bandsmen served with distinction and survived the War. These were 4 brothers; Fred, Frank, Wilf and George Jerram, George Hull, Walter Barnes, Fred Barnes, and Fred Sheppard.
Aldbourne Band acknowledge and celebrate the service and ultimate sacrifice these young men gave through our participation in the upcoming Commemoration Concerts and Act of Remembrance this Armistice Weekend on the 9th, 10th and 11th of November. We dedicate our performances to each and every one of them.
Across the length and breadth of the country, numerous bandsmen sacrificed their lives, and in 1926 J Henry Iles erected a plaque to the memory of them. It is poignant to know that even our village lads are included.
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them”
Acknowledgment of this archive history is given to Graham Palmer, with additional information provided by James Sheppard, Harry Sheppard, and Pete West.
If you would like to read more about our History, please check out the following website: http://aldbourneheritage.org.uk/village-history
