When the 1st/5th Bedfordshire Regiment, as it is now known, marched away from Luton to take up their mobilisation quarters after the hurried break-up of their summer camp in Ashridge Park in that memorable August week in 1914, their Battalion band had for the moment become non est.

Band instruments had to be left at home, and the bandsmen had to go off in their active service role of stretcher bearers. As soon as this became known the Luton Red Cross Band determined that our County Territorials could not be permitted to leave on active service for the first time as a whole battalion without a send-off in the way of martial music, and their offer to play the soldier lads to the railway station was gratefully accepted by the officers in charge.

But this gave rise to a knotty little problem. Our Territorials had always been used to taking their step from the "big drum" and the Red Cross Band did not muster in their ranks a recognised bass drummer. What was to be done?

There was the drum all right, but where to find the drummer? And then into the breach stepped the very man for the job. "Frankie" Barrett, late of the 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, and a local drummer of half a century's experience. 'Tis true that Frankie had at the time passed his 68th birthday, and that it is the side-drum which is his forte, but no matter he solved the problem and, strapping on the bass drum, he gave to the merry, exhilarating tune of the band a smart martial beating of the drum which would have done credit to a man half his age.

It was an interesting incident of a memorable occasion in Luton's history and yet it was only one of many which have been associated with the career of one who may well be described as the doyen of drummers in this district.

The photograph of Drummer Barrett, which we reproduce, was taken on his 70th birthday - he was born at Luton on March 19th, 1846 - and yet he still performs on the side-drum and, to use a recognised band term, can hold his own with the best men for miles around on this particular instrument. For practically half a century he had been a recognised side-drummer. In his prime his name was a household word in band circles throughout the three counties, and his services were sought by some of the best bands and orchestras.

For nearly 25 years Drummer Barrett served in the old Bedfordshire Volunteers, and, besides being a member of the first band, it is rather an interesting coincidence that, in his trade as a tailor, he also assisted to make the first Volunteer uniform worn in Luton. The band uniform at that time was of grey, with scarlet edgings, and scarlet knots across the front, black patent sling belt and scarlet cap with silver band, and without any peak. Drummer Barrett recalls the great impression which was made locally by the first march out of the new Volunteers under the command of the then Squire Crawley.

This going back 50 years or so, and the younger generation will be astonished to learn that in those days our Volunteers not only used to purchase all their uniforms and equipment, but subscribed two guineas a year for the privilege of serving their country as citizen soldiers. And the bulk of their parades used to take place at six o'clock in the morning.

The Volunteers did their drilling in a meadow off the Dunstable Road, where Moor Street is now situated, and they did their shooting at a spot not far from where the old Dallow Farm used to stand. These were the first rifle butts that existed in Luton. They were made in 1860, and some of the old brickwork still remains and can be seen in a dell on the side of the hill just off the top of Ashburnham Road.

When "Frankie" Barrett first entered the Volunteer Band he had the not very ambitious role of playing the triangle, but he was promoted from his beginner stage to a side-drum soon after the occasion when a company of Belgian Volunteers visited Dunstable, at the invitation of Captain Medland, who was then in charge of the Dunstable Corps. One of the early notable events in which he took part as a drummer was the great Volunteer review held at Dunstable.

It is one of his proud claims that he has, at different periods of his career, played his instrument before practically every older member of the Royal Family. He was with the Bedfordshire Volunteer Battalion when they played before Queen Victoria in the Long Walk at Windsor, and he was also in the old Luton Alliance Band when they headed a procession through the town on the occasion of a visit paid to Luton some years ago by the late King Edward, when, as Prince of Wales, he was staying at Luton Hoo.

On another occasion Mr Barrett was engaged to play in a special orchestra which performed at Luton Hoo on the occasion of a Royal visit. The party in that instance included the late Duke and Duchess of Teck, Princess May and Prince George of that time, and several other members of the Royal House. Drummer Barrett and his colleagues played while the party were at dinner, and for a Cinderella dance afterwards.

Besides being in the Volunteer Band, Mr Barrett also played in the old Luton Alliance Band which was in existence for some time, and after putting in nearly 25 years with the Volunteers he became a member of the Luton Red Cross Band. He has also been a member of the Luton Choral Society, Luton Orchestral Society and the Luton Quadrille Band and for years was never missing from their performances. He still plays twice a week at a select dance held in Luton.

When the August 1914 departure of the Territorials from Luton was recalled, he said he only hopes he is spared to drum our Luton lads homes again through the town on the proclamation of peace.

[The Luton Reporter: Monday, June 12th, 1916]