THE ROUTE Wallace Hartley’s funeral procession took through Colne will be retraced today, 100 years to the day since his funeral.

The Titanic bandmaster was buried in his hometown on May 18, 1912, and over 40,000 people came on the streets to pay their respects.

As well as a walk retracing the route of the procession, a memorial service will also take place at Wallace Hartley’s grave.

Fiona McIntyre, community heritage manager at Lancashire County Council, said: “Over forty thousand people paid their respects as the procession made its slow way from Bethel Chapel to Colne Cemetery.

“That’s almost double the number of people living in the town.

“People came from far and wide, by train and even by car, which was a rare sight in those days.”

They included survivors who’d heard Wallace and his band bravely playing on as the Titanic sank.

Wallace Hartley’s body was one of only three band members to be recovered from the sea and he was the only one to be brought back home.

“I think it’s important to mark this event and his bravery,” said Fiona.

The walk will begin at 10.30am from Bethel Chapel, in Burnley Road.

The service will be led by Rev Tony Rindl from 1.30pm at the town’s cemetery in Keighley Road.

Rev Rindl said: “Everyone is welcome to join me in a quiet prayer for Wallace Hartley and the many others who perished on Titanic.

“Colne is rightly very proud of Wallace who was an inspiring example of dignity and courage in the face of extreme fear and danger.”