Hello Kathryn,

William Appleton was indeed the founder and first Conductor of Harworth Colliery Brass Band and I believe his Great Great Grandson Warren Rose still plays with the band. Have you seen the old photos of the Band on my website?

William Appleton was born 4 Jun 1872 in Rainford, Lancashire. At the age of 19 he became the youngest ever Bandmaster in England when he became Bandmaster of Skelmersdale Silver Prize Band. He was a coal miner and a talented solo cornet player. All of his brothers were brass players too. He lived in Skelmersdale, St Helens and Ashton-in-Makerfield and after three of his younger brothers and both of his sisters went to Canada he and his family moved to Thurnscoe before 1924 and soon after to Harworth working at the collieries. All of William's sons played in Harworth Band, Joseph, Seth, William and John Appleton.
William Appleton went on to become the Musical Director of Thorsby Colliery Band. John went to Australia and he and his family played/play in Brass Bands there.

If you can wait a couple of weeks, Ronald Appleton is coming over from Australia for a visit and I will get him to talk to you about his memories of the band. He usually visits the "Stute" at Harworth when he is over here.

Regards,

Brian Taylor

Location Nottingham