STRATFORD BAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 97, 14 August 1914, Page 6

STRATFORD BAND.

, [To The Rditoii STiSATmun Post.] Si; - ,—ln justice to the Stratford (Municipal Band, a few words of explanation seem . necessary re their 'absence at the sending-off of our local Jsoldiors who are departing for the seat of war. Some people are accusing the Band of being unpatriotic, but T can assure those persons that the [Band, individually and collectively, is ijust as patriotic, perhaps more so. ■than those who ai-e doing all the [grumbling, and endeavouring to onjlarge on their own patriotic feelings. ] ,On no occasion since the troops be- j jgan to depart lias tbe Band been tasked to turn out, and surely it would only bo showing a little courtesy on the part of the Mayor o c jStratford, as chief citizen of the town jir he asked the Band to be prepare* to turn out to the sending away o pur boys. But no; no courtesy what lever is shown to the Baud ; yet the; are expected by some people to h< waiting on the station platform ai each train goes out. Some personmay reply to this by stating that tin Band should not wait to he asked but I would remind them that squad; of our soldiers have departed on different traiins each day during the week—some on the mail at S.JO a.m.. others at 10 a.m., and again oilier? at 3 p.m. Is the Band expected t< see all these trains depart? And, il not, all of them, why so,me, and not others? If this is expected, then ths members of the Band should give up their employment while the war is on, md he in waiting on the station platform from 8 a.m. until 3.30 p.m. f juite agree it is .only proper that uir soldiers should get a rousing sendoff from their’ homes, but their departure is so hurried that only the Defence authorities really know what rain our hoys are to depart, on. Ousting that this explanation will dlny the hasty aspersions cast at the land.—l am, etc, TITOS MARSHALL. Conductor Stratford Municipal Band.