Mogg’s Military Band was founded by Harry MOGG who conducted it until his death in 1929. Harry MOGG was a clarinet player who for several years had been bandmaster of the Rifle Volunteer Corp. Harry MOGG taught many an aspiring bandsman to play and insisted that all the members were taught to read music and not to play by ear. The Band continued as an important part of Weston’s musical history and was a popular attraction as it entertained residents and holidaymakers until it was disbanded in 1953. Many members of the band were related to Harry MOGG - his brothers, sons and in-laws took part. It was a prizewinner at several national Band Competitions before the First World War culminating in becoming the Best British Band in Crystal Palace in 1912.
A young bandsman, Charles BAKER, who joined the band in 1900, played the cornet solo during the band’s prize-winning concert at the Crystal Palace and he later became the conductor himself for many years. His son is our very own member, Stan BAKER, who acts as librarian and coordinates our Cemetery research.
The following are local names that have been obtained from photographs of the band for the years in question:
1912
C Baker
E Nicholls
H Mogg
J Baker
T Morris
C Urch
G Popham
G Bray
F Williams
D Collard
F Mogg
J Mogg Ryall
? Westcott
W Jennings
G Locke
B Woolmington
H Butt
G Blake
G Jones
H Capell
C Gibbs
Fred Mogg
E Wollen Gould
W Brown
R Southers
H Norville Hawkins
T Thorne
S Taylor
G Owens
C Jones
C Cann
B Wilkins
C Rossiter
H Dark
1937
L Sealey
E Goddard
C Childs
C Slocombe
C Urch
W Lewis
J Baler
C Owens
T Thould
C Venn
R Bateman
D Mogg
G Bray
A Wilkins
G Mogg
A Harris
H Swift
J Haines
W Maggs
R Clout
If you know any further information about Moggs Military Prize Band, Pat Hase would like to hear from you!
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