AN ACCLAIMED composer has agreed to write a new piece of music to help Down Ampney village to mark the 75th anniversary of Operation Market Garden this September.

Debbie Wiseman OBE, who has written music for TV (Wolf Hall, Father Brown) and film (Wilde, Edie), and is Classic FM’s Composer in Residence, is composing the Down Ampney March, which will be played at a commemorative service in the village.

During the Second World War in 1944, RAF Down Ampney played a key part in various operations including D-Day and Operation Market Garden. The audacious operation aimed to capture/secure bridges along the river Meuse in Holland all the way to Arnhem.

RAF Down Ampney sent Dakota aircraft and Airspeed Horsa gliders over to Holland transporting paratroopers and also supplies for troops on the ground. Service personnel from Britain, Canada, the USA, Poland an Holland were all involved in this operation.

Each year in September, there is an “Arnhem Service” at All Saints’ Church, Down Ampney, when veterans, and those whose forebears served at RAF Down Ampney, come to commemorate these events and remember those who served at the airbase.

Down Ampney has a strong musical association with another composer, Ralph Vaughan Williams, who was born in the vicarage.

Vicar of Down Ampney, Rev’d Canon John Swanton, who came up with idea for the Down Ampney March said: “It just occurred to me that a village with such strong musical associations should be marking this 75th anniversary year with a piece of music. And what could be more appropriate than a ‘march’ for the personnel who served at Down Ampney?"

The Down Ampney March will be in memory of all those who served at RAF Down Ampney and also for those who currently serve in 47 Air Despatch Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps, whose forbears were based at RAF Down Ampney in 1944.

Debbie Wiseman said: “I’m thrilled, honoured and humbled to have been asked to compose the Down Ampney March to mark this special anniversary of Operation Market Garden.

"I hope the music will be a fitting and lasting tribute to the selfless acts of bravery of all those who served at RAF Down Ampney, to whom this piece is respectfully dedicated.”