Sometime after her first husband, Christopher, died, Mary Ann Appleby (nee Tinkler) was living at New Shildon where she met and married William Lewins. On 30th September 1861, Mary Ann gave birth to a son Samuel and he grew up with James and Jane, children of Christopher and Mary Ann.(1) Nothing is known of his childhood or his life in Durham other than his musical career commenced at at an early age.

He was one of the first members of the New Shildon Temperance Band under Mr. E. Dinsdale and under whom he had his first band training. The instrument he first selected was the trombone which he rapidly mastered and played for many years. On the appointment of Mr. T.E. Butch as bandmaster, Samuel was given an euphonium which he played during that band's contesting career.

In 1884 in the company of Mr. Butch, Samuel sailed for Australia and lived in Ballarat, Victoria for a short time where he joined the Phoenix Foundry Band and the Ballarat Musical Society. He came to live in Bathurst about 1885 and for a short time lived with James and Jane Appleby.

Samuel married Elizabeth Catley on 16th September 1886 at St. Barnabas Church, South Bathurst. Rev. F.M. Dalrymple officiated at the ceremony and the witnesses were T. Clift Brown and F.I. Catley. Samuel's occupation was shown as a Boltmaker.(2) Their first child was a daughter, Alice, who was born on 16th January, 1888, followed by nine other children:

Like James Appleby, Samuel and Elizabeth moved several times before finally settling in Brilliant Road, South Bathurst, next door but one to James and Jane Ann, where the two families spent many happy times together.

Samuel commenced working with the Department of Railways on 26th December 1885, as a labourer in the locomotive branch at Bathurst and later as a storeman and had advanced to a special class A storeman by the time he retired on 23rd July, 1929.(3)

It did not take Samuel long to discover that there was room for a good brass band in Bathurst and as mentioned in James Appleby's story he was one of the founders of the Railway Band which later became the Bathurst District Band. He made the band his life hobby.

 The Bathurst District Band began with charitable work playing for the Poor Relief and several charitable functions and the District Hospital. The first contest the band entered was held at a Highland Gathering held in December, 1887 with the result it carried off second prize. After this, the band entered several contests in Bathurst, Orange, Sydney, Newcastle, Ballarat, Victoria, resulting in numerous first, second and third prizes. 1909 was a memorable year for the band when it won the Championship of Australia - it was the greatest win in the history of the band.

In 1899, when the Boer War was declared, the band became attached to the military and was appointed the regimental band of the Mounted Rifles and performed in many kinds of patriotic concerts.

Again and when World War 1 was declared some of the members of the band were enlisting and the ability of Samuel was recognised by the military authorities in Sydney, who were preparing soldiers for overseas and he was selected to organise and tutor the 20th Battalion Band for the Front. He started on practically raw material and in a month's time sent a first class band to the Front. The Bathurst Band had the pleasing duty of playing on Armistice Day celebrations and also welcoming old band comrades back from the Great War.

In 1935 the band celebrated its 50th Anniversary and the citizens of Bathurst thought it was a fitting time to show their appreciation of the services of Samuel and the band to the City of Bathurst. Samuel probably created a record which was unique in all band history for being bandmaster of one band for fifty years. During his time as bandmaster, Samuel trained several great soloists, one being his nephew, Percy Appleby, who brought credit to the town besides performing soloist in the band. In addition many excellent players trained by Samuel took bands of their own. One of these was his son, Charles, who was bandmaster of the Lithgow Band. Bathurst recognised in many ways his great worth as bandmaster and citizen. This expression of esteem was symbolised by the imposing gates erected to his member in Machattie Park, Bathurst. Reading this short history of the band is reading the story of Samuel since he landed in Bathurst.

Samuel and Elizabeth both worshipped at St. Barnabas Church of England, South Bathurst. Elizabeth and her daughters worked on the stalls at the Spring fairs.

Samuel died in 1940 at the age of 78 years and Elizabeth in 1946. Both were interred in the Church of England portion of the Bathurst Cemetery.

REFERENCES.

1. Birth Certificate General Register, London.
2. Marriage Certificate, Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Sydney.
3. Railway records, Archives, State Rail Authority, Sydney.

Most of the history of Samuel's connection with the band was taken from a booklet printed for the band's 50th Anniversary.

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