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On the 11th of September 1983, 17 members of
18 District Johnstone held their first meeting to elect the committee
of a new flute band in Johnstone.
At this meeting it was decided to call the band the sons of K.A.I.
flute band.
The first band Committee were:
President: J Burnett
Secretary: B McMillan
Treasurer: J McCurry
Band Sergeant: J Burnett
Drum Sergeant: D Muir
The band engaged the help of two local
ladies to make the first uniform and Mr W. McCurry loaned the band the
necessary funds towards flutes and drums, thus enabling us to be on
the road for 1984, this goal was achieved thanks to Mr McCurry and
everyone else who gave their help and support in our first year.
From 1983 through to 1986 the band had established itself as an up and
coming band in Scotland. Though the bands true ambition was to parade
through the streets of Belfast on the 12th of July.
 To
achieve this the band was required to change it's name as they were
not permitted to parade under the name Sons of K.A.I.
The band was renamed The Protestant Volunteers Flute Band and new
uniforms were purchased. As a result of these changes the band paraded
in Belfast on the 12th July 1987 with L.O.L 1321 East Belfast and have
continued to do so every year since. In the next two years the band
continued to receive invitations to entertain Loyalists, both on the
streets and in social clubs throughout Scotland.
In 1990 Tercentenary year the band once
again changed not only their uniform but their name as well. The band
members had expressed a desire to take a name in remembrance of the
brave men who fought and died in "The Battle of The Somme in 1916".
After a lengthy discussion it was decided that the bands new name
would be :
"The Sons of the Somme Flute Band"
Under the new name the Sons of the Somme Flute Band the band has
reached new heights and has since won many trophies.
After 20 years the band members have every right to feel proud of
everything they have achieved, and long may this continue.
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