He later went on to become Lieutenant Colonel Owen William Geary O.B.E, the director of music of the Royal Artillery Band Woolwich. He died early in 1955 whilst still in service. My father went to the same workhouse school in Leavesden some years later (after Owen Geary had left) and where Owen Geary was still a legend as a result of that win. Owen Geary was a boy trombone player at Leavesden, Herts (where the St. Pancras area workhouse children were sent) and he only took the baton on that day as the school band conductor was taken ill. He was born on 27th November, 1895 which means that he would only have been 15 years of age, an incredible achievement for a young musician and a sign of what was to come in later years. Owen Geary knew my Grandfather (Bill Withers, bandmaster of the Royal Scots Fusiliers) My father also went on to become bandmaster of the 12th Royal Lancers. My father (A.W.Brown) won the 1948 march prize at Kneller Hall with the now famous march 'The Mareth Line' and part of the prize was to have his march played on B.B.C. radio by the Royal Artillery Band conducted by Owen Geary. I was solo trombone for the Royal Artillery Band Woolwich from 1973 to 1976 where I was told many stories about Owen Geary by those who had served under him. I hope this helps.

Chris Brown.