Musicians

October 2015 – Local Band plays for 2 Dukes

A local brass band from a village based near Stonehenge in Wiltshire was given the opportunity of a lifetime to perform for Royalty on Friday 23 October. Shrewton Silver Band frequently play around Wiltshire for the Regimental Association of the Rifles and The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment based in Salisbury, so when they decided to commemorate marking the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Loos and 70th Anniversary of the ending of the Second World War at Windsor Castle in the presence of their Patrons, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke of Gloucester, they turned to the band to lead the commemoration.

Following a short parade through Windsor, with the salute being taken by the Mayor and Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, there was a service of Commemoration in St George’s Chapel in the presence of the two Dukes. Very much a military occasion, it was an amazing experience for a civilian band to undertake this high-profile job. It also gave a recently retired army drum major the chance to put the band through their paces and sharpen up the band’s deportment and parade work! The Duke of Edinburgh expressed his appreciation of the band, making this the proudest of moments for the band and an experience that all the players will cherish for many years and one in which we were privileged to take part.

The pictures show the band marching up from Victoria Barracks to Windsor Castle leading the parade and assembled on the steps of St George’s Chapel.