Albert Sale (1920-2014)

BORN in Burton-on-Trent, Albert moved to Grantham with his parents as a four-year-old.

He went to Spittlegate School followed by the Boys’ Central School and on leaving took an apprenticeship with Ruston and Hornsby, qualifying as a fitter.

He later worked at Aveling Barford, BMARCo and Ransome and Marles, at Newark.

During the Second World War he served as a marine engineer in the Royal Navy, mainly based in Brisbane, Australia.

In 1942 he married Rene, and they had three children, Janet, Jean and Colin.

But it is as a musician he was best known.

He began by playing cornet in the Salvation Army boys brass band at the age of seven, and went on to play in Grantham Town Band.

He played trumpet in several local bands, mainly the Olympians (later Mainstreamers). He also played piano and piano accordion.

During his time in Newark, he played with Ransome & Marles broadcasting band, which featured regularly on the airwaves, as well as recordings and brass band competitions.

He played with them in the finals of the national brass band championships at London’s Royal Albert Hall and the band played in the film Women in Love.

Music was his life.