This album celebrates the centenary of one of the world’s greatest military bands, the Band of the Welsh Guards, and pays tribute to the musicians who served with the band during its first 25 years.

Many of the tracks date from 1916, some from before the band played in public, so you are hearing the founding members of this world renowned band.

These same men embarked to France and Belgium a few months later for three months to take their turn in playing to lift the spirits of the Guards Division close to the front line.

Included is the first recording of the regimental music, along with marches played at the Trooping the Colour during that era, and some of the popular selections of the day, as well as many of the much loved melodies from Wales.

Conscription during the Second World War brought many professional musicians to the band, which raised the standard of the dance orchestra to new heights, such that it was to be one of the very few such combinations in the services to make broadcasts and the recordings featured here.

The album ends with the band’s renowned tenor, David Lloyd, singing with the band in a selection of Welsh National Songs.