ABC Military Band

The Australian Broadcasting Commission Military Band was formed in October 1933 and comprised 40 players from all Australian States. The first conductor was Captain H.P. Adkins who came out from England to assist with setting up the band. He was formerly Director of Music at Kneller Hall, and when he returned to England in April, 1934 he resumed that position. Adkins recommend his successor and Stephen Yorke (Bandmaster in the Gloucestershire Regiment) was the band's conductor throughout the remainder if its existence. The first broadcast of the band under Yorke was on 26 June, 1934. The band was used for many tours and cvoncerts throughout Australia, and broadcasts over various A.B.C. stations were made weekly during the 1930s and 1940s. During World War II, the Band also played concerts to raise funds for the war effort and improve morale. The Band was disbanded in September, 1951 due to insufficient funding.