Marlow Town Band was originally the Church Lads Drum and Fife Band, and was transformed into a Brass Band in 1906 by John Palmer, who had moved to Marlow from Chesham where he was a member of the local town band.
John Palmer was conductor of the band until 1920, when he handed over the baton to one of his sons namely Ernest Palmer. Ernest was so enthusiastic that he then started to enter the band in various competitions in London and the Southern Counties, gaining successes at most events.
During the Second World War membership became much depleted with just six members. Prior to the war in 1944 the Band members built their own band room, in their spare time, after dark, by the aid of any type of lighting that was available (notably "Carbide" lamps).
In wartime the band room was used for various activities such as dances and whist drives etc as well as two nights a week for band rehearsals to keep the remaining players "lips" in trim. The activities helped to increase the band funds ready for when the band was able to get back to full membership after the war. Competitions were then restarted, as well as playing in the local park in Saturday evenings
