In September 1967, the Southampton Albion Silver Band was given the great honour of welcoming the Queen Mary back to Southampton at the end of her final Atlantic crossing as a British passenger liner.
Thousands of people gathered at the Ocean Terminal, which was packed with spectators waiting for the famous liner to arrive. Television and newsreel cameras were positioned around the terminal, while the Albion Band entertained the crowds as they waited.
As the Queen Mary came alongside there was a moment of silence before, at a pre-arranged signal, streamers were thrown towards the ship and the Band began to play. Bill Barnes remembered it as an extremely moving occasion, with some of those watching openly in tears.
The ship’s Master, Captain Treasure Jones, came ashore and personally congratulated the Band. He remarked that although the Queen Mary had received a tremendous send-off from New York, it was nothing compared with the reception she had received on returning to Southampton.
Passengers also praised the high standard of the Band’s playing, and Bill proudly recalled that the Band was even referred to in the press as a Royal Marines Band — something he regarded as a considerable compliment.
The occasion remains one of the Band’s most memorable connections with Southampton’s great ocean liners and the city’s maritime heritage.
Archive Collection
📷 Photographs
