Friary Guildford Band was once again honoured to take a major part in Guildford’s marking of Remembrance. The Last Post and Reveille were played by cornet player Simon Persin from the Guildhall Balcony on 11th November, and on Sunday by principal cornet Richard Straker in Holy Trinity Church and then at the War Memorial after the Band led the parade down the High Street and up to Castle Grounds.
For me it’s the proudest and most poignant moment of the year, and this year there was added significance as it was the centenary of when my Great Uncle Harry, a 2nd Lt in the Royal Flying Corps, was killed in action after little more than two weeks at the Front, aged just 22. I was also privileged to lay a wreath at the War Memorial on behalf of the Band. But for the sacrifice of so many, the music played by the band might be very different. We will remember them.