Military Band Musician Reflects On Memories Of Remembrance Day Performances

A military band musician will lead a special Remembrance Day service at the Ringwood care home where she is receiving respite care.

Sue, who is staying at St Ives House care home, was a civilian member of the London Irish Rifles Association, and later The Band of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers London. She has played in the bugles, pipes and drums section of the bands in numerous military parades including at the Cenotaph in London, the Tower of London, and Menin Gate in Ypres in Belgium.

Sue has recently moved to St Ives House care home to be closer to her daughter, Heather, and her granddaughter, Chloe, while enjoying the round-the-clock support of the care home team.

Sue said: “I was known for never getting a note wrong. Playing at Menin Gate was particularly poignant as it’s known for being the traditional place where people go to Remembrance Day events each year.”

Sue will wear her uniform from The Band of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers London to perform The Last Post on the bugle at St Ives House’s Remembrance Day event on Monday 11th November 2024, which will see the residents congregate in the communal bistro for a special service.

Emma Cotton, Home Manager at St Ives House, said: “Sue has settled in very well since arriving at the home for respite care and is already talking about how she’d like to make this her home. We were truly honoured when she offered to play The Last Post for us at our upcoming Remembrance Day event, which will be an incredibly moving moment for both the residents and care home team. At Care South, we are keen to enable the residents to continue enjoying their passions, which they may not otherwise be able to enjoy without our support.”