A MILITARY MUSICAL FAMILY

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 45, 3 May 1940, Page 30

A MILITARY MUSICAL FAMILY

The Glayshers Have Served For 183 Years

TTF the father and six sons of the family had arrived in this world at suitable intervals, their military service would have extended from pre-Napoleon days. It totals 183 years. One of them, Henry George Glaysher, plays the harp over 3YA, usually as accompanist for Nancy Estall, ’cellist. They will be heard together in a recital from that station on Friday, May 10, at 8.35 p.m, Enlisted at 14 He was born at Sheerness, in 1878, and enlisted in the Royal Artillery Band, Woolwich, at 14 years of age. He was put to the harp shortly afterwards, and at 16, as a member of the band, accompanied Madame Melba at the Albert Hall. She sang one verse of the National Anthem with the harp, and then with the full orchestra of 90, and the organ. At another concert at Crystal Palace, Mr. Glaysher remembers accompanying Sir Charles Santley, and the band played for the great Welsh tenor, Ben Davies, at the London Palladium. He played under many famous conductors, including Alick Maclean, Percy Buck at Harrow School, Sir Dan Godfrey at Bournemouth, Earnest and his brother Brabato Bucalosi, Major Mackenzie Rogan, of the Coldstream Guards, Major George Miller, of the Grenadier Guards, Sir -George Martin, at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Mr. Glaysher’s duties with the band took him to some of the greatest functions: at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, the Guildhall and Mansion House, the Royal Academy Banquet at Burlington House, where he was complimented by H.M. King Edward VIL, : by Sir Arthur Sullivan, and by Signor Marconi; conversaziones at Grosvenor House, the Natural History Museum, the Imperial Institute; Sunday afternoon concerts with 80 performers at the Royal Albert Hall for 18 years; eleven days every year at The Royal Horse Show, Olympia; Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Mr. Glaysher returned to New Zealand after the Great War by the troopship Ruahine (with Colonel, now General, Duigan in command of the troops). Since then he has followed the musical profession in Christchurch. For four years he was conductor of the Orchestral Society and the Savage Club and for five years Bandmaster (Hon. Lieut.) in the Fourth Cadet Battalion Canterbury Regiment. At present he is a member of the 3YA Orchestra, playing harp and clarinet. One of his greatest pleasures is accompanying on the harp that fine ’cellist, Nancy Estall. The Family Record This is the family record: Father: C. M. Glaysher: Twenty-five years’ service in Royal Artillery. At 21 years of age he was a sergeant in the Royal Artillery Band, and played first violin, first clarinet, and was organist

at St. George’s Garrison Church, Woolwich. He was later organist at the Royal Dockyard Church and bandmaster of the Royal Artillery Band, Sheerness. His six sons all served before and during the Great War. Eldest son, Charles Glaysher: Thirtyfive years’ service as Inspector of Army Schools (now retired), with eight years in India and eight years in Africa, The second son is Henry George Glaysher. Third son, Frederick Glaysher: Sixteen years’ service as musician in the Royal Artillery Band, playing string bass and oboe. He died as the result of an accident in November, 1916, Fourth son, John Glaysher: Forty years’ service. He was Major Armament. Officer, on the Solent, Southampton. He enlisted as a trumpeter in the Royal Garrison Artillery, before the Boer War, and served at St. Helena, St. Lucia, and Capetown. Afterwards he was Armament Officer at Kingstown, Jamaica, and at present is Armament Officer at Southampton, Fifth son, William Glaysher: Fourteen years’ service. Was Corporal Artificer in the 10th Battery, R.F.A. (English). He served five years in India, Egypt, Gallipoli (Cape Helles), and France. He was lent to the 3rd Battery, N.Z.R.A.F., on several occasions, and was killed in action, April 9, at Le Bassee Canal. Sixth son, Herbert Glaysher: Was a Sergeant in the R.G.A. Siege Battery. He enlisted as a trumpeter in the R.G.A. and served in Mauritius, Gibraltar, and France. He was severely wounded in France in 1918,