 after marrying Elizabeth NECKLEN in 1899, William Thomas was a member of the Timaru Salvation Army Band. (left) with the bass drum. c.1900 |
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 | Elizabeth's eldest brother Henry Joseph (Harry NECKLEN a member of the Timaru Regimental Band that competed at the 1920 Ballarat (Australia) contest, and became the Australasian champion on the Euphonium, winning 2 Alabaster vases (now in the South Canterbury Museum). |  |
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William & Elizabeth's two eldest sons were both
brass band enthusiasts. Victor (Vic) was conductor of the
Temuka Brass Band in 1937-50. |
Some years later he conducted bands in
Auckland, including the Band of the First Battalion
Auckland Regiment (which Neville played in). |
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Roland (Roly) was a member of the Timaru Municipa Band from 1925. In 1933 the band won the B Grade Contest. Roly is third from left, back row. Charlie NECKLEN (Harry's son) was also a member
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In 1940 Roly won the Eb Soprano Cornet Competition at the Centennial Contest, with a score of 98%.
described by chief judge Frank Wright "as probably not only the best player of that instrument in New Zealand, but one of the best soprano players in any part of the world." |
In 1941 he was appointed Lieut. Bandmaster the Queen Alexandra's Own Band ("Queen Alexandra Mounted Rifles") in military camp at Wanganui. He started with this:
But developed this by 1942
And at the 1947 Christchurch contest, still in military uniform. Roly's elder son Mervyn aged 15 is third from left, middle row.
Roly, Mervyn & Neville played in the same band (Wanganui Garrison) briefly before Roly died in 1952.
Neville played in the band of the 1953 CMT intake at Linton Military Camp. (front left)
....... 50 years pass .................... Then in 2004, Mervyn & Neville played in the Devonport Citizens Silver Band:
(c) 2006-09 Neville
Thomas