A Wistaston musician was instrumental in the Normandy D-Day Commemorations, Jonathan White writes.
The parade in Arromanches, which was screened across the world and watched by millions, was led by Wistaston Drum Sergeant Rob Richardson.
Rob is a member of the Cheshire Drums & Bugles, and he led the Dutch Band of Liberation into the esplanade at Arromanches and participated in the commemorations across the British and Canadian sectors.
Rob was asked, along with Drummer Sam Stanley, by Lt Col Simon Dubbelaar of the Band of Liberation to lead the band in Normandy.
The band led the parade into Arromanches in front of a crowd of more than 30,000 from all over the world.
The parade included more than 200 D-Day veterans who had travelled across on the RMS Boudicea, including Nantwich’s very own D-Day veteran, Denis Allcock.
Rob, who has played for some of the top bands in the country as an accomplished percussionist, is currently the Drum Sergeant at Cheshire Drums and Bugles.
They led Crewe’s Remembrance parade and will do again this year and is also a member of the Royal Marines Association Corps of Drums.
He said: “To lead the Band of Liberation across Pegasus Bridge at the exact time the gliders landed 75 years ago was actually an emotionally experience which didn’t hit me until I was half way across.
“To be asked to be Drum Major by the BoL was quite a scary thing, I mean I’m used to using two sticks not one big one!
“And Arromanches, well that was just special. I can’t thank Lt Col Dubbelaar enough, even if I did have to give the orders in Dutch!”
The band stayed less than 100 yards away from the famous Pegasus Bridge and have close links with Nantwich as their vocalist, Emma Brown, has sung at two concerts in St Mary’s Church.
The band took part in parades and performances at Pegasus Bridge, Arromanches, Ver sur Mer, Luc sur Mer and to cap the tour off a sell out concert in front of thousands at le Chateau de Bennouville.
Rob Richardson with the Cheshire Drums & Bugles will be performing at St Mary’s Church, Nantwich on Saturday August 31 from 7.30pm.
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