The famous Oldham Rifle Brigade band, after whom the march "O.R.B." was named (the composer, Charles Anderson, was the band's conductor), was founded in 1865 as a civilian band.

In 1871 it became affiliated to the local volunteer regiment, which underwent various name changes over the years, which are reflected (sometimes apparently inconsistently) in the names that the band contested under.

The history of the regiment name that the band was attached to is as follows:
February 1860 - founded as 31st (Oldham) Lancashire Rifle Volunteers
November 1860 - became part of 7th Admin. Bn.
1880 - consolidated as 23rd corps, but changed back to 7th shortly thereafter
1882 - new corps formed with same personnel - 22nd Lancs. RVC
1888 - became 6th VB Manchester Regiment
1908 - became 10th Manchesters

The band was reformed after the 1914-18 war by Francis Miller, and continued as a brass band until 1934, when the War Office decreed that all military bands must become mixed brass/woodwind. It is not currently known how long the band continued after that date, although it is interesting that we have them recorded at Belle Vue in 1935.

Anne Stewart feedbacks:
"Just to inform you that my Grandfather was the F. Miller described as conductor at some of the contests. Francis Miller. He fought and was injured at Gallipoli although came out of the band at that point to fight with his half brother who was not in the band. He ended up as Reg Sgt Major and bandmaster of the Manchester 10th and I believe that after the war he went to buy new silver for the regiment. I have photos of the band and Regiment and will try to find out if he conducted at any of the other contests. My father talked of going with my grandfather to the contest at Crystal Palace prior to the first World war. He says the band was mustered on the forecourt of Euston Fire Station in London and marched all the way to Crystal Palace. However my father did not remember them winning!"
"My Grandfather was Francis Miller mentioned above. I sent an earlier E mail. I think the H miller you have down as conducting the band in 1924 at Crystal Palace must in fact have been F Miller as my Father said they competed 3 times with him as bandmaster. My Uncle's Family account of his Father Francis Miller says After the 1918 war the band was reformed by my Grandfather and continued until 1934 when the war Office issued an order that all Army Bands had to be standerdised and turned into military bands. My Grandfather knew nothing of military bands with woodwind instruments and he struggled on for 2 years. He then left the army being too old and the 10th became a tank regiment."