Over the last twenty years Tommy's service in the Band has been exemplary and a real role model for young and old. He was always an absolute inspiration to all he came in contact with and it was an honour for us all to know him and serve with him in the Band. We will never forget his faith - or his humour.

He had a wealth of stories from his life to share - every one of them told with his customary sprinkling of one-liners and demonstrating the way in which his faith had permeated every nook and cranny of that long life.

It seems amazing that he was commissioned into the senior band at Hamilton over seventy years ago - and right up until the end of last year was always the first bandsman to arrive for any engagement.

In one of his last appearances with the Band Tommy took his place with the cornets and trombones atop the rood screen in Christchurch Priory to play Joyous Carillon in front of a truly heavenly scene. We are sure that now he has gone even higher and has taken his place in the Heavenly band.

God has called him home saying "Well done good and faithful servant".