Through the night of November 19th and into the day of November 20th Southern Ontario was bombarded with an Alberta clipper, wind driven snow that is, from, where else but Alberta, dropping anywhere from 5 to 50 centimeters of the fluffy white stuff we’ve grown accustomed to at this time of year.

Through it all came two dozen intrepid warriors of Jubilee Brass into the quaint Ontario city of Brantford and to the Salvation Army Wyndfield Community Church in order to pay respects to one of its own bandsmen, percussionist Robert Edward Wratten.

Bob was promoted to Glory in a manner befitting a true child of the King. The sanctuary was packed with family and friends and color was everywhere from the jackets of the band to the spiffy uniforms of members of the Brantford city police acting as an honor guard. This was a visible tribute to one of Bob’s step-sons Jim, a member of the force. Added to this was the glamorous display of floral tributes.

Bob served as a Salvation Army officer and employee in two Canadian provinces and seven American states. He served under three flags-Salvation Army, Canadian and American and they were all present and prominently displayed with the Army flag adorned with the traditional white ribbon.

Our resident piper, Band Sergeant Jack Bernard piped in the two step-sons Jim and John, police officer and firefighter respectively, carrying Bob’s cap and Bible which were placed on his black ribbon draped drum which sat in front of his empty chair on which had been placed a Jubilee Brass jacket.

Following the Band’s prelude the memorial service commenced with the traditional Salvation Army tribute ‘Promoted to Glory’ played by the band with both band and congregation standing in respectful honor.

Lt. Colonel Merv Leach, a member of the band, a Brantford resident and personal friend of Bob’s was the officiating officer leading the congregational songs of ‘What a friend” and ‘There is a name” as well as the chorus “ The wonder of it all”
Warm, concise and most meaningful tributes were given by Jim Sawkins, step son, Pastor Shawn Erb of Rawdon Street Baptist Church for whom Bob had played the organ for some twelve years, and niece Naomi Morrison on behalf of the Wratten family.

The Corps officer of the Wyndfield Community Church brought the scripture, Psalm 150 from ‘The Message’ which had been specifically chosen by Bob because of the reference to the ‘big bass drum’.

The band’s solo contributions were ‘Divine Communion’ and the vocal “Lord, you know that we love you”.
Band Sergeant Jack Bernard entered the pulpit to present one of his ‘famous’ poems which was both humorous and serious as he roasted Bob with love and sensitivity.
Lt. Colonel Mary Belle Leach led in prayer in both the service and the committal which took place following.

Lt. Colonel Merv Leach’s message “The Beat goes on” was prefaced by three bars of percussion banging out the March cadence thump, thump….thump, thump, thump, followed by one final and emphatic thump. The Colonel went on to point out that the beat of the drum had stopped, the heart beat had stopped but the beat of the soul had gone on. ’Soul’ passages of Scripture were used to back the thoughts with a concluding challenge to those present as to the condition of their own souls.

The dignitaries, family and gathered friends left the chapel to the strains of ‘Sweeping through the gates” played out by Jubilee Brass as their final tribute to a beloved and respected former bandsman. Bob, we’ll see you in the morning.