Meet the Blackboy Hill Military Band

Did you know that the Blackboy Hill camp had its very own band??

This distinguished group of soldiers were well respected during the war years, and often helped the YMCA raise much-needed military funds by organising local concerts, such as the 'afternoon tea for lonely soldiers' (held 25 June, 1916, to an audience of almost four hundred men).

The group, led by bandmaster Sergeant-Major Halvorsen, were a valuable asset for the war effort, as they had the ability to lighten and uplift spirits with their humorous, beautiful, and uplifting tunes that the audience would often sing-along to, such as...

ALICE, WHERE ART THOU?

the silver rain falling, Just as it falleth now;
And all things slept gently-ah! Alice, where art thou?
I've sought thee by lakelet. I've sought thee on the hill.
And in the pleasant wildwood, when Winds blew cold and chill;
I've sought thee in forest, I'm looking heavenward now,
I'm looking heavenward now; oh: there 'mid the star shine,
I've sought thee in forest, I'm looking heavenward now;
Oh! there 'mid the star-shine, Alice, I know art thou.


Thanks to Margaret Green, we have some simply splendid photographs of the band in uniform and holding instruments to include in the book. In the picture below, the team are dressed casually. Margaret's father appears in the bottom row, to the left on one knee, 'shaving his friend'.

 

(Spare moments with) The Members of the Blackboy Hill "Military" Band, W. Aus, 28.11.16