Century old cornet presented to RSL

Above: Mr Ken Craddock OAM accepts the 125-year-old cornet from Mrs Doreen Miskle on behalf of the Narrabri RSL sub branch.

Former president of the RSL Narrabri Auxiliary, Ken Craddock OAM has been presented with a very special musical instrument, a cornet which has a long association with the Narrabri community.

The cornet was donated to the RSL by Doreen Miskle, widow of the late Bede Miskle, who played it at Anzac and Remembrance Day ceremonies for many years.

The cornet was made in the UK in 1894, and brought to Australia in 1901.

It was originally in the possession of James Clarke, who was well-known throughout the region for his accomplished musicianship.

According to an article in The Courier in 1968, it was bought by the Narrabri Municipal Band and given to Mr Clarke to play in 1913.

He passed away in 1949, and the hand-made cornet was reconditioned with funds provided by Narrabri RSL.