Subdeacon Joe Posted December 25, 2018 Share Posted December 25, 2018 https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-40175696 Quote A violin made by a soldier killed in battle during World War One has been played at his grave on the eve of the 100th anniversary of his death. Richard Howard, who died on 7 June 1917 in the Battle of Messines, started making the instrument in 1915 before enlisting in the army. It was later finished by a luthier in Oxford before being bought by folk musician Sam Sweeney in 2009. Mr Sweeney played the violin at Pte Howard's grave in Ypres. He said: "It was incredible. About 100 people were there and some of his descendants came. "His granddaughter did a reading of a poem she wrote about him. It was very moving. "It's amazing - his family has been reunited because of this violin." Image copyrightELLY LUCAS Image captionAround 100 people, including some of Pte Howard's relatives, were at his graveside to hear his violin being played Mr Sweeney, who played the fiddle for folk band Bellowhead, said Mr Howard's relatives did not know of him until he got in touch with them through his research about the instrument. Mr Howard was a luthier and music hall performer in Leeds who was married and had a daughter. He was conscripted into the 10th battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment at the age of 35 in 1915 and was among seven men from the regiment who was killed on the first day of the battle in Belgium. Image copyrightSAM SWEENEY Image captionMr Sweeney and his father were prompted to research the instrument after seeing the date and name stamp inside the fiddle The instrument was left in pieces until luthier Roger Claridge bought it at auction and completed it in his workshop. It had the appearance of a new instrument but the label inside gave the date 1915 and the name Richard S Howard, which prompted Mr Sweeney and his father to investigate the maker. "It was actually my dad who did all the research because I was doing my A-levels at the time." said Mr Sweeney, 28. "We gave all the information to Hugh Lupton, who has weaved it into a story." Mr Sweeney has been telling his remarkable story of the instrument in his show titled Made in the Great War, which he is touring across the UK until 11 June. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795 Posted December 25, 2018 Share Posted December 25, 2018 May he rest in peace now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Hair, SASS #29557 Posted December 25, 2018 Share Posted December 25, 2018 What a grand gesture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted December 26, 2018 Share Posted December 26, 2018 Cool!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee Trapper Tom Posted December 26, 2018 Share Posted December 26, 2018 I wish I could get the history of a violin in my family. I know it’s dates back to the 1700s. My ancestor was a violin maker. It has passed the the 1st son of the 1st son. My older brother who is the oldest had an illegitimate son 25 years ago. My brother passed 6 years ago and this month my family was able to reconnect with him. My mother is so excited that the violin has its next home. Thanks for that SJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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