Huge fundraising effort underway to send CLB Regimental Band to Beaumont Hamel

The largest fundraising campaign in the 123-year history of the CLB Regimental Band is underway so the group can mark the 100th anniversary of Beaumont Hamel by sending a large contingent to France in 2016.

"We felt it was really important because the CLB has never been formally present as a unit on the fields in France and in particular Beaumont Hamel," said Ian Wheeler, an executive with the volunteer-run organization in St.John's.

"So we came up with the 'Tour of Honour', and basically the concept is to bring the band and also a specially hand-selected detachment of our youth members who are going to attend with us," Ian told The St. John's Morning Show.

"It's a legacy being carried on, for these men that went over. It's a place where history was made and so many lives were lost," said Mary Pike, 16.

"It's great to go over there and make sure their memories don't die."

The band intends to spend 10 days in Europe, visiting war memorials and battlefields, as well as performing at ceremonies at Gueudencourt and Beaumont Hamel.

"That's what means the most to me, is that we're giving back, not only taking from the program," said band member Khafre Pike, 17.

Fundraising trouble

But sending the Pikes, along with about 48 other members, on a European tour is no small feat.

Wheeler estimates they'll need to raise $300,000 to cover the trip.

"It's a huge undertaking," said Wheeler, who said they've raised about $55,000 since the project began a year and a half ago.

"It's been slow," said Wheeler, adding the downturn in the economy hasn't helped. "It's been a steep learning curve."

The group is selling pewter replica hat badges, organizing a historical dinner on Nov. 10, and holding an ongoing online fundraiser. 

Connection to the past

The motivation to tackle such a fundraising effort comes from the group's strong connection to the First World War.

The CLB "played a vital role that a lot of people may not realize," said Wheeler.

In 1914, the group's armoury in St. John's became a headquarters for recruitment and training.

"They had rifles, tents, various equipment for basic training for an army," said Wheeler.

According to the CLB, 108 of its members were part of the First 500 — the initial wave of volunteers from Newfoundland who enlisted in the war effort.

The Regimental Band even serenaded those soldiers as they boarded the SS Florizel to leave St. John's for Europe, in Oct. of 1914.

Bringing history to life

As part of the Tour of Honour, the youth involved are researching individual CLB soldiers who died in the war.

"It's finding the identity. It's not just looking at the soldiers as a whole, it's looking at an individual and finding them as a person," said Mary Pike.

"It's finding out where he grew up, what his mom and dad's names were, and how many kids he had."

"It's quite amazing to learn about a man," said Khafre Pike, who researched Capt. Arthur Richard Batson.

"I have a copy of the obituary that was sent to the Telegram after he died, and one of the things it said was that Capt. Batson, as a man, was quiet and unassuming."

"He wasn't afraid of giving up his life for his fellow soldiers, yet privately he was just as quiet as you and me."

With the band committed to honouring those fallen members, Wheeler said despite the challenges to fundraising that lie ahead, the trip will go ahead — no matter what — next summer.

"We'll make it happen."