Cheshire Band which played at D-Day commemoration, to perform in Nantwich

By Jonathan White
A Cheshire band which played at the D-Day commemorations in France, will be performing in Nantwich later this year.

The Corps of Drums of The Cheshire Constabulary Band played in front of tens of thousands of spectators and millions who watched the D-Day commemorations on TV.

They were also watched by D-Day veterans, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the Prince of Wales.

One of the band’s members, Wistaston resident Robert Richardson, 42, recalled the occasion.

Mr Richardson, a drummer, said: “It was the opportunity of a lifetime to perform in front of members of our Royal Family and to meet with some of the gentlemen who landed on the beaches of Normandy.

“It was a privilege and an honour to perform during the commemorations.”

The band led the march across Pegasus Bridge on June 5 before playing to the Prince of Wales at the Pegasus Memorial Museum, and on June 6 – the 70th anniversary of “D-Day” – they played at Gold Beach and gave a stick lifting rendition of the Royal Marines Regimental March when leading former Marines at Juno Beach.

The Corps of Drums can be seen performing at two events in South Cheshire later this year.

It will be at the Kings Shilling Walk commemorations in Queens Park, Crewe on Sunday August 3.

Then it will play at a World War I commemoration concert at Nantwich Civic Hall on Sunday October 5.

(pictures courtesy of Robert Richardson)