Linslade lad Dale Lee will never forget singing his heart out with the London Welsh Male Voice Choir at last week’s official unveiling of the Tower of London’s Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red exhibition.
It completes a hat trick of electrifying performances for the former Cedars Upper School pupil who is one of the celebrated choir’s youngest members.
Dale, 23, of St Mary’s Way, described the event – to be broadcast world-wide by the BBC – as “amazing, impressive, a really memorable experience.
“The Welsh Guards Military Band was also there and we sang a medley of World War One songs and ‘The Man we Never Knew,’ specially written by our musical director, Edward-Rhys Harry.
“We were standing on the steps of the White Tower, in front of the old armoury that houses the Crown Jewels.” Earlier in the day the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had visited the art installation, created by ceramicist Paul Cummins. It comprises 888,246 poppies – one for each British and Colonial soldier who died during the war.
They will stay in place until November and will then be sold in aid of six combat charities.
Dale – a Connells Lettings administrator – appeared with LWMVC at the closing ceremony of the Olympics in 2012 and sang with them at the Six Nations final at Cardiff Millennium Stadium last year.
He recalled: “It was then I realised that I was part of history. It was such a thrill to join in all the songs echoing round the stadium.
“You could tell that all of Wales were behind their team and really up for the battle.”
The choir’s next big event is the Festival of Male Voice Choirs at the Royal Albert Hall in October.