Several members of Longridge Band, patrons and friends, have just returned from a trip to Belgium where they paid their won tribute to those who fell in battle.

Respects

The group visited many of the First World War cemeteries, museums and battlefields in Ypres, Arras and the Somme, and played two hymns and 'The Last Post' at Canada Farm Cemetery for the late gunner Richard Wallbank of Mersey Street — one of two men who played with the Longridge Band but never returned home. He died on the 28th October 1917.

Band Vice-President Derek Hicks, laid a wreath at the headstone on behalf of the band.

As well as visiting the Dressing Station where Canadian poet of John McCrae worked as a medic, the group visited the Langemark German Cemetery that contains 25,000 graves.

Band member

At Tyne Cot Cemetery (the largest Commonwealth War Cemetery) the group played hymns for two Longridge men who also gave their lives: John Sharples, who was possibly a member of the band, and Robert Almond. Their bodies were never found but they are commemorated on the wall of Tyne Cot.

As part of The Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, the group played 'Dear Lord and Father of Mankind' and 'Abide With Me' to a very large gathering of people from all corners of the globe.

Relative

The group also visited Lochnagar Crater and Thiepval Memorial, where they played at Beacon Cemetery at the grave of Richard Moon from Chipping. He died in April 1918 and left a widow and four children. His great granddaughter, Janet Clegg, plays in the current band.

Visits were also made to the Arras region where stops were made at Notre-Dame de Lorette (a French Cemetery) which incorporates the Musee Vivante.

Final mark

The final mark of respect was made at the Canadian Vimy Memorial Park, were the group played hymns and 'The Last Post' for the final time.

Local men who died and were commemorated in honour on the trip included:

At Tyne Cot Cemetery (the largest Commonwealth War Cemetery) the group played hymns for two Longridge men who also gave their lives4BR

Ypres — Menin Gate Memorial:
Tk. Dvr. Lance Corporal Arthur Parkinson (Died 31st July 1917)

Tyne Cot Cemetery:
Lance Corporal Robert Almond (Died 26th October 1917)
Pte William Gornall (Died 26th October 1917)
Pte James Smith (Died 29th April 1918)
John Sharples (Died 26th October 1917)

Thiepval Memorial:
Pte. John Lawrence Bleasdale
Pte. Percy Thomas Bourn
Pte. John Cowell
Cpl. Albert Hartley
Pte. Richard Hoyle
Pte. Joseph Ogden
Pte. J Moncur
Lance Corporal Christopher Seed
Sgt. Arthur Seed
Cpl. Hugh Seed
Cpl. Walter Sharples
Pte. Thomas Wallbank
Pte. George Willan