SOUTHAMPTON Docks and Marine Band always seemed to hit the right note and was renowned for playing for royalty as well as being the first group of local musicians to be broadcast by the BBC.

Originally formed in 1922 the band quickly built up a keen following in and around Southampton and no public event was considered “complete” without the presence of the port’s players.

For almost three decades, including throughout the Second World War, the band played on but in 1950 its time came to an end owing to lack of new members.

The foundation of the band followed a suggestion by Major-General Gilbert Szlumper, then the Docks and Marine manager, to form a group of musicians under the leadership of Mr Sidney Wilson, one time bandmaster of the 1/5 Hampshire Regiment in India during the First World War.

Under the baton of Mr Wilson recruits were trained with such success the band was soon able to appear in public.

The band was composed |of dock employees, which rapidly gained popularity and acquired a prominent position amongst similar organisations in Southampton.

New uniforms were bought and in 1924 the band undertook its first big public engagement, the opening of the floating dock by the Prince of Wales.

In the years that followed the band went from success to success, and in 1931 it gained premier honours at the international festival of music at Le Havre, France where the conductor |was awarded a diploma of merit.

The band was present at the opening of the former King George V graving dock in Southampton, then the biggest facility of its kind in the world, in 1933.

It also took part in the first Merchant Navy Week in 1937 when it played for the religious service on Sunday, July 18, the whole of which was broadcast by the BBC, so becoming the first Southampton band to go “on the air.”

Prestigious as these occasions were, 1939 was to bring a much more important event.

When the King and Queen returned from a tour of Canada and the United States to Southampton, |the Docks and Marine Band were given the honour of playing on the quayside.

As the berthing operations were carried out, Elgar’s Land of Hope and Glory was played and as the monarchs stepped ashore the cheering crowds fell silent as the band played the National Anthem.

The proceedings were being described by a nearby BBC commentator, and consequently the band was once again heard over the air.

With the outbreak of the Second World War, the band membership, which was then 33 musicians, was reduced, resulting in the band temporarily closing down.

The formation of the Home Guard presented an opportunity for the band to become part of the 12 th Battalion, Hampshire Home Guard until the end of the conflict.

During the war the band did excellent work, especially at the “Forces Redezvous” held at Southampton’s Guildhall on Sunday evenings.

In 1946 the band reformed but progress could not be maintained leading to the decision to disband four years later.