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World War 1
To World War 11
Throughout the First World War, the band remained active, performing regular
engagements as well as being involved with patriotic processions, recruit drives
and farewelling the troops. In 1915, troops from the Dardenelles were welcomed
at Central Station, with only two hours notice.
Bandmaster W.
G. Bentley left the band in 1917 and was replaced by Mr. Albert
Arlom in 1918. Arlom remained Bandmaster for two years and resigned
in 1920, being replaced by Mr. Fred Haines.
A typical
years work by the band during the 1920's ranged from State and
Police funerals to hospital concerts and fetes, Martin Place
recitals, parades in the city and Showground, plus short country
tours to towns such as Kempsey and Newcastle. Approximately fifty to
sixty engagements a year, plus two rehearsals a week was the average
amount of work. When not involved with the band, members were
stationed throughout the various police districts of Sydney,
performing routine police duties.
Early in 1924,
Bandmaster Fred Haines resigned, his place being temporarily filled
by Mr. Arlom. On the 26th February, a meeting took place to elect
the new Bandmaster. After three hours deliberation, Mr. H. Hawkins
was selected from twenty-one applicants. On this same day, State
Cabinet took three hours to decide the contract for the Sydney
Harbour Bridge.
On the 13th
June, 1924, the band broadcast a programme from Farmers Studio,
Sydney. This went throughout Australia and New Zealand and was the
first broadcast by a military band in Australia. In 1926, Mr.
Hawkins resigned and was replaced by Mr. Jack Crosby-Browne.
During 1927,
the band performed for the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York. A
four-day trip to Canberra was also undertaken for a performance at
the opening of Parliament House.
In May 1928, a
Mr. James Armour, cornettist, was appointed Special Constable to the
band. Whilst ex-members had helped the band out from time to time,
Mr. Armour is believed to be the first 'Special' in the band. By
1929, the second Special Constable, Angus Boras, was employed. He
remained the only Special Constable in the Band, playing principal
clarinet until the 1960's.
It appears
that during the 1930's, the Band, when attending engagements would
march from the nearest Police Station to the performance venue, to
attract a crowd. All engagements performed were either in relation
to the Police Department or for charitable or National causes. With
the exception of a few engagements, the Band did not receive
payment, any money raised was donated to the function organisers.
In 1936, the
Band made the big move to convert from high-pitch instruments to
low-pitch. This involved purchasing an entire set of military band
instruments, forty-four in total, at the princely sum of
£1288/12/11.
One humorous
note comes from a report by Band Secretary Ben Caeser in 1937,
discussing the possibility of attracting more players. He states:
"without casting reflections in anyway, I have found from
experience
that a man who is an extraordinary artist on an instrument is
generally a man of eccentric character and possesses a temperament
entirely unsuitable for the duties of a Police Constable"
The year 1938,
proved to be a memorable year in the history of the Band.
Performances were given at the Empire Games events as well as the
many activities associated with the Sesquicentenary Celebrations
throughout the year. It was whilst playing at one of these events,
that the Band was involved in one of the City's most tragic events.
On February 13, the Band was performing on Sydney Harbour, on the
Police Launch, "Cambrai" for the farewell of the visiting
American Warship, the U.S.S. "Louisville". Hundreds of
ferries and other craft were on the Harbour, including the month-old
pleasure ferry, "Rodney", crowded with 150 people, waving
goodbye to American sailors. As the "Louisville" passed
Bradleys Head, the "Rodney" went across the wake and, as
it did, the passengers of the "Rodney" moved from one side
to the other. Normally, this would not have been a problem, except
that the majority of the "Rodney's" passengers were on the
top deck of the ferry. This sudden shift in weight, tilted the ferry
dangerously to starboard. It poised for a few seconds, and as
passengers fell, it overturned completely. The "Cambrai"
was on the other side of the "Louisville" during the
incident but was hailed by an officer of the "Louisville",
and arrived on the scene with the "Rodney", keel up and
passengers in the water. Eleven Bandsmen immediately dived in and
rescued many stricken passengers, whilst others remained on board,
resuscitating and calming survivors. In all, nineteen passengers
drowned and it is thought that, without the work of the Police
Bandsmen, the number would have been higher. Band members were later
awarded a special certificate by the Royal life-saving Society for
their part in the rescue.
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The "Rodney" moments before it
capsized - Note that it already appears to have a list.
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The early years of World War Two were very busy,
with the Band attending rallies, parades and recruit drives in
addition to their usual activities. Up to double the number of
engagements were performed, with the Band at one stage going
twenty-one months without leave. Mr. Crosby-Browne was called up for
military duties which led to his resignation from the Band.
He was replaced in 1941 by Mr. O. Summertio.
NSW Police Band And
The Post War Years
Page Design © Ian Hunter.
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