Royal Marine musicians play for bandmate at hospice for 'last time'

Musicians from the Royal Marines laid on a poignant tribute at a Wiltshire hospice for their terminally ill bandmate.

Sophie Ward, 27, was joined by her new husband Richard, patients, staff and volunteers for the emotional final performance.

Sophie, from Warminster, is also a flautist and joined the Royal Marines Band Service in September 2020. As well as the flute, she also plays the saxophone.

Her husband, a lance corporal from Newport in South Wales, has been a Royal Marines musician 12 months longer and plays solo cornet.

Sophie suffers from Motor Neurone Disease, has been an inpatient at the hospice in Winsley near Bradford on Avon since mid-June.

The Royal Marines Band Service musicians play on the Dorothy House Hospice lawn for Sophie Ward. (Image: Royal Marines)

She watched on the patio outside her room as men and women of the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines from HMS Collingwood in Fareham performed a playlist chosen by Sophie on the lawns.

Patients and staff told the musicians this was “an absolute treat” and “the most emotional and uplifting experience”.

At the end of the performance, Sophie was presented with her Coronation Medal, specially mounted in a display case.

This was given to her by the Band Service’s principal director of music lieutenant Colonel Huw Williams RM.

He was accompanied by Adjutant Major Sam Hairsine RM, Director of Music Captain Phil Trudgeon RM who conducted the band, and Bandmaster Warrant Officer 2 Jamie Gunn RM.

Captain Trudgeon said: “The day was full of a range of emotions as we performed a Beating Retreat with music selected by Sophie.

“I felt overwhelming pride as the band played so spectacularly and hope we brought moments of positivity and joy to all friends, family, and staff.

"Sophie will always be a part of our unique Royal Marines Band Service family.”

Sophie Ward playing the flute for HM Band of Royal Marines at Collingwood. (Image: Royal Marines)

Wayne De Leeuw, chief executive of Dorothy House Hospice Care, said the performance had both moved and brought joy to everyone present.

He added: "Thank you to Sophie and Rich for giving us the opportunity to share in something so personal, something so very public and something extraordinary.

"You brought happiness, but you also made us shed a tear and realise the value life and the things that really matter to people.”