Organist and Master of the Choristers at Lichfield Cathedral 1925-1959

Just visited the Cathedral this morning, and read thus.

The celebrated teacher and composer Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983) was born at Lydney in Gloucestershire and became an articled pupil of Sir Herbert BREWER at Gloucester Cathedral in 1905.

Ambrose PORTER was also a Gloucestrian, born in Coleford in 1885, and likewise became one of BREWER’s pupils, a remarkable bunch of budding musicians, which included the composer/poet Ivor Gurney and Ivor DAVIES (later known as Ivor NOVELLO) composer of popular musicals.

Friendship formed in the organ loft at Gloucester clearly bore fruit, as Howells dedicated his first attempt at an Organ Sonata to his contemporary, Porter.

The Sonata’s original manuscript was on display alongside a tiny part of Ambrose’s prolific output written before, during and after his time in Lichfield.

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Can see his marriage in the records 23 Apr 1918 - reported in Gloucester Journal Newspaper Report - address given as Caragh, Coleford

Ambrose Probert PORTER