A Hymn for Eternity: the story of Wallace Hartley,Titanic Bandmaster

A biography of Wallace Hartley, bandmaster on the Titanic. Born in Lancashire in 1878, Hartley became a proficient violinist playing in local orchestras. He joined the Cunard Line in 1909 playing on the Lucania, Lusitania and Mauretania before transferring to the White Star Line's Titanic as bandmaster. The author draws on survivors' accounts to describe the events and role of the band leading up to the sinking of the ship, many confirming that the band had indeed played to the end. The author examines the evidence to support the belief that the last song played was the hymn Nearer My God to Thee, but concludes it was more likely to have been Songe d'Autumne. Hartley died in the sinking although his body was recovered and returned to Yorkshire for burial. The author describes the funeral as well as the tributes and memorials for the musicians that followed. Illustrated with photographs.