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Hamilton Flute Band

The Hamilton Flute Band is one of the oldest in Ulster. Unfortunately, the early minute books and other records from the 19th Century are no longer extant, but traditionally 1856 is the accepted date of the Bands formation, as this is the date inscribed on the original bass drum, although one publication give the date as 1851.

The band was formed in the area of Dungiven Road and was originally known as the Primrose Flute Band and some time late the name was changed to the Queen Victoria Flute Band. The present name was adopted after 1865 in honour of Lord Claud John Hamilton, second son of James, 1st Duke of Abercorn.  Lord Claud was a Member of Parliament for the constituencies of King's Lynn, Liverpool and South Kensington. In addition to his Parliamentary duties he was Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria and was invested as a Privy Counsellor in 1917. He served as Honorary Colonel of the 5th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He died in London in January 1925. His Grace the 5th and present Duke of Abercorn K.G. give permission for the Band to use the Abercorn Coat of Arms on its stationery and concert tunics.  The motto on the crest is "SOLA NOBILITAT VIRTUS" and this translates to "Virtue is the only nobility". The motto of the Most Noble Order of the Garter "HON SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE" also appears on the Coat of Arms and translates as "Shame on him who thinks this evil".

Britain declared war on Germany on 4th August 1914 immediately following Germany's invasion of Belgium. In Londonderry, men were quick to enlist in the local Volunteer Battalion, the 10th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers ("The Derry's") and the Hamilton Band was reported to have joined up "to a man".  Before going to France 10th Inniskillings trained at Finner Camp in Co. Donegal and later at Randalstown. Their first Commanding Officer was Colonel Ross A. Smyth from Ardmore. The Battalion was made up of men from both the City and County of Londonderry.

The men from the Hamiltons formed the nucleus of the Battalion's band and member of other bands such as the Maiden City and the No Surrender from Londonderry; The Burnside Flute Band from Portstewart, The Park Flute Band from Coleraine and the Limavady Flute Band joined them. The first leader was Drum Sergeant Matthews. Following completion of training in Ireland 10th Inniskillings moved to England and subsequently to France where the men encountered combat and the awful reality of trench warfare for the first time. It is likely that member of the Band participated in concerts in the front and, by doing so, uplifted the spirits of their comrades. The Band's bass and side drums were regularly used as Drumhead Services as Holy Communion tables and it was most fitting that after the war the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers presented the Hamilton Band with their Regimental drums. The bass drum and a number of the side drums that were used during the First Wold War are now laid up in the Chapter house of St. Columb's Cathedral, Londonderry.

Those who died or killed in action were: Private Robert Nelis, Private James R. Brown, Private William James Speers, Lance Corporal Richard McLaughlin, Leading Stoker James Heaney, Corporal William McCrea, Trooper William Scott, Lance Corporal Joseph Scott, Private William Hamilton, Drummer John Love, Rifleman George Mills, Private M.W. Griffths, Private William Campbell and Corporal William Alexander Leitch.

After the Armistice those members who had survived the War undertook the process of re-building the band. This task began in 1918, the member who formed the Battalion Band had taken most of the instruments with them to the Front and when the revived Band did get going, all the drums and most of the flutes were missing. The original drums were eventually returned through the good offices of Sir James Wilson M.C.

In the years following the War those killed in the Battle of the Somme were remembered at special services held in St. Columb's Cathedral and in other City churches on 1st July.  In 1930 the 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Old Comrades Association was formed and on the 1st July that year the annual parade to the City's War Memorial began until 1968 when Harry Wilson, the Secretary of the Assoication wrote to the Band's Secretary, Walter Hartin, informing him that the Association felt unable to continue to organise the commemorations and that 1968 would be their last parade.  On the 1st July 1976 the Band's new uniforms were dedicated in St. Columb's Cathedra and afterwards a wreath was laid at the War Memorial in The Diamond. In 1978, following a proposal at their Annual General Meeting the Band undertook the subsequent organisation of the ceremony at the War Memorial and the March Past on the 1st July each year.  The continuance of the Act of Remembrance for all those from Londonderry who gave their livers in the Great War and particularly in the Battle of the Somme is appropriately assured.

In 1901 and 1906 the Hamiltons gained first prize at the Londonderry Feis, but were subsequently beaten into second place by the St. Eugene's Flute Band. In 1907 the Deanery Flute Band won a competition in Belfast and in doing so took pride of place among the local flute bands. Not to be outdone, the Hamiltons also decided to have a try at the Belfast Competition in 1908, only to be beaten into the second place by the Duke of York Flute Band.  The Band topped the bill at a Variety Show in Blackpool in 1908.

In May 1927 the Grand Mistress of Londonderry Women's Orange Order and Deputy Grand Mistress of Ireland, presented the Band with new instruments. This instruments was the Hawkes & Sons Crown AZ Flutes.  For three years in succession, 1934 to 1936, the Hamiltons won the North-West of Ireland Bands Association Championships for First Grade Flute Band. However, in 1938 and 1939 they were beaten by the Ballykelly Flute Band.

With the coming of the Second World War, the Band lost a significant proportion of its members to the Services and a few lean years ensued, but, as before, when the War ended the members regrouped and the Band was soon back to full strength.  On V.E. night, 8th May 1945, the Band paraded around the Watersite. 

In 1956 at a Contest in the Ulster Hall, Belfast the Band secured first prize and Championship of Ireland for Junior 1st Grade Flute Band. The bandmaster, Tommy Wright received the trophy from Sir Wilson Hungerford, President of the North of Ireland Bands Association and in 1960 the Band were placed fifth with 167 held in the same venue.

In 1977 the band was kitted out with new Yamaha Flutes. The 1986/87 season brought considerable success in contests. The Band completed in a total of five contests and won the Northern Ireland Own Choice Championships, became North West Champions for the sixth time, were joint winners of the Londonderry Feis, and gained second place in the North of Ireland Bands Association contest.

On the 23rd June 1991 the Band lead the 70th Anniversary Parade and Service of the Northern Ireland Royal British Legion which was held at Balmoral Showgrounds in Belfast. There were only five days to plan and rehearse music that was previously not played and the commitment and dedication of the members resulted in a very successful day.  The main event in 1993 was the Band's participation in the Lord Mayor's Show in London.  In April 1994 the Hamiltons won the Best Overall Award at the Scottish Flute Bands Association Spring Contest. 1995 was a busy year with the Band participating in the V.J. celebrations at Carrickfergus in the presence of HRH The Duke of York and appearing on live national network television during the event. This was another occasion when the Band distinguished themself playing along with the Bands of the Royal Marines, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Irish Regiment.  In 1996 the Band toured the Somme and Brussels.