THE band of the Keighley and District Sea Cadet Corps marches to join the gala procession in 1952.

Started in 1942 and awarded efficiency pendants in 1950 and 1951, the corps was threatened with the loss of its headquarters and possible disbandment by 1952, linking this gala appearance with a public appeal for support.

The procession that year was the most impressive since before the war, though rain later in the day washed out the fairground and entertainments.

The photograph has been sent from New South Wales by former cadet drummer Peter Ashton, who emigrated in 1966.

He remembers some names: Commanding Officer Lieutenant Peter Musgrave; Chief Petty Officer Austin Pickering; Drum-Major Jack Dodgeon; tenor drummers Derek Crossland, Brian Garnett and Brian Burke; drummers Albert Lynch, Terry Fahey and Granville Hall, and buglers Terence Holmes, Austin Quinlan, Allan Dyson and Harry Sharpe.

“We were a proud lot,” he adds, “all thanks to Granville Hall, who used his leave from his Scottish regiment to prepare us for this special day.

“And we were so proud to lead off the gala.”

Mr Ashton, now 82, came across the print while sorting through the contents of an old photograph box.