Thanks to Rochelle for continuing to keep the Fictioneers in tune and to David Stewart for his photo this week, there was a bandstand like this one, in the park near where I grew up, those were the days…
Copyright David Stewart
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
And The Band Played On
‘When we’re married, you won’t go away to sea anymore will you, Wallace?’
‘No love, I promise. But these jobs bring in more money than I was earning in the orchestra. I get to see more of the world too.’
Maria smiled, sensing it was best to leave things there. He had promised.
The letter telling him the band had been transferred to the White Star Line came three days later.
‘Look, I’ve been assigned as the new bandleader love, I could make some good contacts for the future.’
With Maria’s blessing he boarded RMS Titanic on 10th April 1912
♫ ♫ ♫
Wallace Hartley was born in my home town of Colne in Lancashire. A large bust of him stood outside the library and I used to pass it most Saturdays when I went shopping with my mother. The story of how the band played on as the Titanic sank, was told to every pupil. The town is very proud of its famous son. You can read more about him here
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
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40again's Blog 
Ambition …takes some up and some down to the bottom of the sea…
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That’s true, in this case he was looking to make extra cash in order to get married . Thanks for reading
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What a sad story, as all the Titanic stories are. Very well written.
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Thank you. Most all Titanic stories are very sad, we all know what happened, but the name still has the ability to give us the chills. Thanks for reading.
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Poor Wallace Hartley.
How brave of the band to play on gallantly as the ship sank.
How sad for everyone.
Randy
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You’re right Randy, can’t imagine many doing that today. Thanks for reading.
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Wow, what a story to remember! Good job! Nan
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Thanks Nan, it’s a story I grew up with, once I saw the photo it seemed right to tell it. Thank you for reading 😊
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What an interesting story. There are heroes like this scattered throughout history, I expect, and they could so easily be forgotten. Well told – and so sad.
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Thank you. I’m pleased you like the story, he was a hero not sure many would do the same today.
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Beautiful!
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Thank you 😊
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A nice romantic, historic twist. I like it.
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Thank you Dawn, pleased you liked it 😊
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Ach! So many sad stories linked to the Titanic. Sad as it is, it is nice that his story is told…
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Yes you’re right. The very mention of the word evokes sadness and sorrow, I’m pleased you liked the story about Wallace.
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A beautiful piece of historical fiction. I had not heard that story until I saw the movie, years ago. I was so moved by that band, playing as chaos reigned around them. I remember being stunned that it was true. You’ve tied history and fiction together seamlessly here, Dee. That much sadder for its truth.
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Thank you Dawn. I grew up with stories of the ‘man on the pedestal’ outside the library. It is hard to believe that Wallace and the band could play on, trying to calm the panic and fear all around them, knowing that in all probability they would not be saved.
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It’s amazing in particular (to me) in the sense, that I would think that so many on the Titanic would be in disbelief, and thus assume it would somehow all work out… boats would take them, help would come, etc.. that these men understood what they faced and chose to play music, for others, is truly inspirational. Again, wonderful story, Dee, and incredible history!
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You used the prompt well, Dee. Very interesting tale, too, of a cruel twist of fate. 🙂
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Thank you, a cruel twist of fate indeed.
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The minute I read White Star Line I got a chill. I remember reading how the band on the Titanic played right to the very end. Always makes me cry. Nice you added pictures. One of the best ones I’ve read.
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Thank you Susannah, it is good to hear from you and I’m so pleased you liked the story.
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I think all the stories this week, especially yours, were exceptional. David’s picture is a keeper.
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Thank you so much
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Destiny has a way of playing tricks on ambition.. On the other hand he became famous.
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He did become famous but not in the way he had hoped.
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Great…I missed a beat…when I read the last line about Titanic. Wonderful real story.
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Thank you for reading, pleased you liked the story.
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I love the historical flash fiction. Thanks! Nicely done.
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Thank you for reading and pleased you liked it.
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Dear Dee,
What a beautifully rendered story. You almost didn’t need the last line. As soon as you said “White Star Line…” Well done.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
I didn’t mention Titanic in my first draft, but thanks to your dedication to Friday Fictioneers, the group now has participants from all over the world and I wondered if everyone would get the inference of the White Star line.
Thank you for your kind comments.
Best wishes
Dee
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This is a wonderful little piece of historic fiction, with an insight into the possible decision process that led him to be on the Titanic. What a brave decision he made in the end, to ease the stress of the situation for everyone else by continuing to provide music.
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I think it was a brave decision too. Thank you for reading and your kind comments, it’s always good to hear from you.
Dee
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A great story Dee and a an amazing back story to this week’s offering. Well done. 🙂
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Thank you very much, so pleased you liked it.
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Lovely. Like Dawn Landau, I didn’t know anything about the Titanic band until the movie. What a strong group of men they were. You should be quite proud of your native son. Alicia
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Thank you Alicia. I think the men were amazing, given that they knew they would almost certainly perish. There are a lot of sad stories from the Titanic disaster, but so much more tragic when close to home.
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More to the point – your town’s native son.
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I didn’t see this coming. A wonderful, sad story.
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Thank you for reading, it is sad, as most of the stories relating to the Titanic are. Pleased you liked my effort.
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So many lives lost, so many stories wtill untold. Well done in bringing this one to the surface.
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Thank you Liz, lovely to hear from you and pleased you liked it.
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Dear Dee,
This was a great piece of historical fiction. How interesting to have grown up in his (and your) home town. I enjoyed this very much.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug
As children, we all got so used to the bust of him outside the library, we sometimes forgot why it was there. As an adult, I became aware of the mistakes that ultimately led to the sinking of Titanic and of the tragic loss of life. I think Wallace and the band hoped to ease the panic a little and bring a little calm to the terrified passengers and the town is right to be proud of him.
Best wishes
Dee
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How sad for everyone concerned, Dee. What a grand thing that they played almost until the end. They’re still showing programs about it on TV. Good story based on historical fact. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you Suzanne, it is a sad story, as most of the ones relating to Titanic are. Thank you for reading.
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Well told – I didn’t see that ending coming! I love the connection your town has to the band who became such a big part of the Titanic story
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Thank you Siobhan – he is well remembered in the town.
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