A MAN who left Worcester to join the Army 60 years ago is returning this month with the choir of St Paul's Cathedral in London, Ontario, Canada, when it visits Worcester Cathedral.
Ian Turnbull, who was born in Worcester and went to Samuel Southall Secondary School from 1942 to 1945, is hoping to renew old friendships during his visit.
"It would be wonderful to get in touch with old school friends and military acquaintances," he said.
Mr Turnbull is married to violinist Joan Pack, who is to play with the choir in Worcester on August 19 and 20.
He left the city at the age of 15 and was principal percussionist with the band of the Worcestershire Regiment from 1946 to 1958.
He then emigrated to Canada and became a percussionist with the Canadian Armed Forces, principal percussionist with the London Symphony Orchestra of Ontario and founder of the percussion department in the Faculty of Music at the University of Ontario, where he taught for a number of years.
After his retirement from the Army in 1978, he managed the Belle Air Music Company in London, Ontario, for 20 years and founded the Ontario Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society.
He became a member of the society's international board of directors and was the first non-Canadian to receive its outstanding service award.
He can be contacted at ijt@execulink.com
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