1944 Foden's Motor Works Band

Between the 13th and 19th August 1944 Fodens performed in a concert series at Hyde Park London (Paid £285) 

After the first fears of the band that they may be victims of German Daylight raids all the members decided to attend the engagement. Hyde Park was surrounded by anti-aircraft guns so it was a possible target. The actual venue had very little facilities with changing area and other amenities under the bandstand. 

Fred Mortimer stayed with an Italian friend called Oscar Grasso in his Hammersmith hotel which that night had all its windows blown out during a raid with glass falling into the band conductors room and the hotel door falling onto Fred’s bed.

The following morning at least three of the band suddenly remembered they had a prior engagement back in Sandbach. Harry Mortimer knew some members of the RAF Bomber Command Band and arranged them as replacements for those who had left.