Hi
Richard,
We watched the Festival of Rememberance, (A wonderful display by Nick
Grace and Co) and also the Cenotaph Parade on the Sunday. My 93yr old
Mother, who now lives near us in Lincolnshire, recalled an event that
happened way back in 1984.
It seems that the Church she attended then (in Kent) wanted to include
(O Valiant Hearts) in their rememberance service, but the organist said
he did not have the music. Mum said, "Leave it to me" and
sent a letter of to R.M.S.M. Deal. She had a reply within 3 days from
a Warrant Officer (Bandmaster) 2 T.J. Attwood. LRAM ARCM RM, with a
hand written copy of the said music and words. This goes to show that
although I had left the R.M.B. more than 10 yrs earlier, nothing was
too much trouble for any ex member of the Band Service and their families.
I do not recall ever knowing a T.J. Attwood, but Mum found the letter
and gave it to me, as a matter of interest, and if anyone knows if he
is still with us, maybe I could pass on my own and Mums thanks for his
help all those years ago.
Have attached a copy of the letter.
All the Best from Nobby Clarke.
[Editor] Indeed, T.J. Attwood is very much alive and well and a subscriber
to our buddy list. I was in training with Trevor and remember him well.
<
click> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6q6Z_FonF0&feature=related
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
O
valiant hearts who to your glory came
Through dust of conflict and through battle flame;
Tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proved,
Your memory hallowed in the land you loved.
Proudly you gathered,
rank on rank, to war
As who had heard God’s message from afar;
All you had hoped for, all you had, you gave,
To save mankind—yourselves you scorned to save.
Splendid you passed,
the great surrender made;
Into the light that nevermore shall fade;
Deep your contentment in that blest abode,
Who wait the last clear trumpet call of God.
Long years ago,
as earth lay dark and still,
Rose a loud cry upon a lonely hill,
While in the frailty of our human clay,
Christ, our Redeemer, passed the self same way.
Still stands His
Cross from that dread hour to this,
Like some bright star above the dark abyss;
Still, through the veil, the Victor’s pitying eyes
Look down to bless our lesser Calvaries.
These were His servants,
in His steps they trod,
Following through death the martyred Son of God:
Victor, He rose; victorious too shall rise
They who have drunk His cup of sacrifice.
O risen Lord, O
Shepherd of our dead,
Whose cross has bought them and Whose staff has led,
In glorious hope their proud and sorrowing land
Commits her children to Thy gracious hand.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Valiant_Hearts
by Wikipedia
