大象传媒

Members of the Hamilton Flute Band from Londonderry are believed to have enlisted en masse to fight in World War One. They became the regimental band of the 10th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

When the 'Derrys', as they were known, went to France the band members became stretcher bearers. They witnessed the full horror of war at the Battle of the Somme, and their bass drum and side drums were used as a communion altar.

In 1996 the Hamilton Flute Band returned to France to play at the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. They brought the old bass drum, and it served as a communion altar once more during a service at the Ulster Tower.

Keiron Tourish reports for 大象传媒 Newsline.