OBITUARY

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31539, 29 November 1967, Page 13

OBITUARY

Mr F. J. Oakley Mr Frederick Jonathan Oakley, a well-known Canterbury bandsman and conductor, died recently in Christ-

church. He was 56. Mr Oakley was born in Christchurch but spent most of his life in Lyttelton, where he was educated. At the age of 12 Mr Oakley took his first interest in brass bands, playing for the Lyttelton Salvation Army band. He also played for the Lyttelton Marine Band and the First Canterbury Regimental Band before going to England, where he played for the East Surrey Regimental Band. When World War II began, Mr Oakley was among the New Zealanders in London who formed the New Zealand Anti-tank Battery and trained at Aidershot. As sergeant instructor with the battery in the Middle East he gave his services to both the battery and the bands.

When he returned to New Zealand in 1943 Mr Oakley became conductor of the Lyttelton Marine Band. He helped form the Sumner Silver Band, and assisted in conducting it.

Mr Oakley was a former vice-president of the Canterbury Provincial Brass Bands' Association and, at the time of his death, was vice-patron of the association. He was president of the Lyttelton branch of the Returned Servicemen’s Association in 1951 and 1952 and a member of the Masonic and Oddfellows’ Lodges. He is survived by four brothers and a sister.