Sunday 9th November morning
Royal British Legion Armistace Day Parade Falmouth
Pipers: Nigel, Alex, Miranda, Keith G, Chris, David C, Felicity, John C
Drummers: Snare – James, Tom W, John R, Tenor – Fred, Vic, Bass – Sue
Drum Major – Andrew
With a forecast that Cornwall may expect an occasional shower in the afternoon, there was an optimistic hope that capes would not be needed during the Parades both at Falmouth and in the afternoon in Truro. As last year, the Band Members met in the Quarry car park for 09.30 hours and there was a good turnout of 8 Pipers, 6 Drummers and Drum Major. As the Band’s Bass Drummer was away enjoying a holiday in India, the Band was very grateful to Sue for coming all the way from Exeter to play the big drum! Dress was No 1 Dress, with bonnets. It was dry and bright as the Band tuned up and had a practice march before assembling on the Moor to lead the Parade. At 10.45. the Procession of Standard Bearers, Mayoral Party and Dignitaries, Representatives of Services and Youth Organisations and Service Cadets started up the long road to the Memorial Park for the Service to be conducted by the Town Mayor’s Chaplain.
The Parade was brought to attention and the Wreath Layers were asked to fall out. After a prayer, the Exhortation and Last Post, two minutes’ silence was observed. The Bugler then played the Reveille and the Kohima Epitaph was recited.
The Mayor of Falmouth laid the first wreath followed by well over thirty wreaths from various Services, Organisations and Members of the Public were invited to lay a wreath.
After a hymn there followed a reading from the New Testament and an address from the Chaplain who, among other things mentioned the Servicemen and Women who had lost their lives in the recent wars overseas and the huge scale of suffering sustained in disabilities and injuries. He asked that everyone observe a few moments of silence. After the National Anthem was played there was the Blessing and Dismissal just as a long roll of thunder came through the air. The heavens opened and the Parade all but broke up as torrential rain came and everyone sought shelter under the trees.
When it became apparent it was not a brief shower the Band were told to form up and lead the Parade back to the Moor. The road was as a river in places as the Kernow Band, now drenched, but stoic as ever played heartily as they led the procession back down the hill. The public clapped appreciatively as they passed. Tunes played during the morning included the following – Green Hills/Battles O’er, Pack up your Troubles/It’s a long way to Tipperary/Keep the Home Fires Burning, and Cockney Jocks/Rainbow Country/Bluebells of Scotland.
On arrival at the Town Hall, the Mayor did not do his usual tour of chatting to the assembled Services and Organisations standing before him in the still pouring rain and the Parade was dismissed. The Band members made their way to their cars and were soon journeying on to Truro for the Armistice Parade.
