Royal Marines Band Honors Terminally Ill FlautistRoyal Marines Band Honors Terminally Ill Flautist In a poignant tribute, musicians from the Royal Marines paid an emotional farewell to their terminally ill bandmate, Sophie Ward. The concert took place on the grounds of the Dorothy House hospice in Winsley, near Bradford-on-Avon. Sophie, a 27-year-old flautist suffering from motor neurone disease (MND), was driven to the event along with her husband, L/Cpl Richard Ward, who is also a Royal Marines musician. L/Cpl Ward said it was a “great day” and thanked the staff at Dorothy House for their exceptional care. “They looked after the family as best they could, as did Sophie, and we are forever grateful for that,” he said. The Royal Marines Band played a Beating Retreat, featuring music selected by Sophie. “The day was full of emotions,” said Capt Phil Trudgeon RM, the band’s music director. “We felt an overwhelming sense of pride when the band played so spectacularly and we hope we brought moments of positivity and joy to everyone.” At the end of the performance, Sophie was presented with her Coronation Medal by senior members of the Royal Marines. “Thank you to Sophie and Rich for giving us the opportunity to share in something so personal, something very public and something extraordinary,” said CEO of Dorothy House, Wayne De Leeuw. “The band brought happiness and made us realize the value of life.”
Image source, Dorothy House
Image caption, The band played for Sophie for the last time in full marching uniform Item information
- Author, Emma Elgee
- Role, BBC News, West of England
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1 minute ago
Musicians from the Royal Marines have paid an emotional tribute to their terminally ill bandmate for “one last time”.
Sophie Ward, from Warminster, was joined by her new husband L/Cpl Richard Ward, who is also a Royal Marines musician, for the concert in the grounds of the Dorothy House hospice, in Winsley, near Bradford-on-Avon.
The 27-year-old flautist, who has motor neurone disease (MND), was driven to the show along with his fellow patients on June 18 with staff and volunteers.
L/Cpl Ward said it was a “great day”.
He added: “Dorothy House is in such a beautiful location, it was the perfect setting for the band to come and play for her.
“The staff are absolutely exceptional. They also looked after the family as best they could, as did Sophie, and we are forever grateful for that.”
Image source, Dorothy House
Image caption, Sophie and her husband Richard both served with the Royal Marine Band Collingwood
MND is a life-shortening condition that affects the brain and nerves and Sophie has been in the hospice since mid-June.
The couple were both part of the Royal Marines Band, based at HMS Collingwood, and L/Cpl Ward is now based at the Commando Training Center in Lympstone, Devon.
Capt Phil Trudgeon RM, the band’s music director, said: “The day was full of emotions as we performed a Beating Retreat with music selected by Sophie.
“I felt an overwhelming sense of pride when the band played so spectacularly and I hope we brought moments of positivity and joy to everyone.
“Sophie will always be part of our unique Royal Marines Band Service family.”
Image source, Dorothy House
Image caption, Sophie received a Coronation Medal from senior members of the Royal Marines
At the end of the performance, Sophie, who played flute and saxophone in the band, was presented with her Coronation Medal by senior members of the Royal Marines.
CEO of Dorothy House, Wayne De Leeuw, said: “Thank you to Sophie and Rich for giving us the opportunity to share in something so personal, something very public and something extraordinary.”
He added that the band “brought happiness” and “also made us shed a tear and realize the value of life and the things that really matter to people.”
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