On Tuesday 3rd August 2021 Diane passed away at the age of 81

Diane was present at almost every UK marching arts event over the past 40+ years and most recently we all remember her in her role as a Contest Referee for Winter Guard United Kingdom but there was a lot more…

Diane lived in the county of Essex most of her life. Born in Epping, she was evacuated to Glastonbury during the war, lived in Poplar, East London prior to moving to Romford when 1st married. Moved to Billericay in 1966 until early 1990’s when she moved back to Romford until her husband, Harry, passed away. She moved to Great Dunmow and then moved in with her daughter and son-in law -Julie and Mark – in 2016 in Shalford.

She was a member of Peggy O’Farrell stage school where she performed for the Queen Mother and was in 2 St Trinians films with George Cole and a film called Its Great To Be Young. In the late 1950’s/early 1960’s she was a Truck driver in the Territorial Army and then was a Cadet Officer for the Red Cross in the early 1970’s, teaching young people in Billericay First Aid.

Her “career” in our activity included being a Mayflower Corps ‘A’ Band officer, Judging for Drum Corps United Kingdom, British Youth Band Association, British Drum Corps Federation and Winter Guard United Kingdom. In 2009 Diane was part of the Dagenham Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps reunion support staff and then in 2013 kept the Crusaders Alumni Guard fed and watered with her ‘tuck stand’.

All our thoughts are with Diane’s daughter and son, Julie & Andy, and their families.