Thomas Gray organised one of the earliest Brass Bands in Preston, or perhaps we should be more precise and say Military Band, for that was its more usual title. The first mention detected to date is in the Preston Herald on the 3rd June 1857 when GRAY'S BRASS BAND played at the Whitsuntide celebrations in Preston. It was still referred to as a brass band in 1866 when the band played at Penwortham Club Day (Preston Herald 9th June). In the Trade Directory for 1892 Thomas Gray, of 19 Duke Street East, is listed as a bandmaster. Duke Street East was off Manchester Road. 

In April 1892 at the Harris Orphanage, Mr. Gray was presented with an illuminated address and a pair of batons in recognition of his service as honorary bandmaster over a long period of time. He attended the Orphanage several times a week, "wet or shine."

In 1895 he was described as a Music Professor, now resident at 112 London Road. Throughout the 1880s and 1890s his band was regularly employed by local churches and at the 1882 Guild they played for The Church of England, The Catholic Guilds and the Trades processions. Towards the end of the 19th Century he became the conductor/bandmaster of the 5th L.A.V. BAND later the 5th L.R.G.A.V.

 

This advert was placed in the Preston Chronicle on the 27th October 1890 and subsequent weeks

ENGAGEMENT OF GRAY’S BRASS BAND

Pr Ch. 25^th May 1850: - At the laying of the foundation stone at St Walburge’s Church GRAY’S AMATEUR BAND played. 

P Ch 1^st October 1853: - Mr THOMAS GRAY, Bandmaster accompanied “The Pedestrian” who, it would appear, was on a walking marathon. Mr Gray was to see that he duly completed his task. 

PG 3^rd June 1857 pages 2 and 3: The Preston Whitsuntide Celebrations. The Church of England St Thomas’ had GRAY’S BRASS BAND  

PH 9^th June 1866 page 5: At Penwortham Club Day music was provided by the LONGTON BAND and MR. GRAY’S (PRESTON) BRASS BAND  

Pr Ch 11^th June 1881 page 3, Whitsuntide, GRAY’S REED BAND played in the Catholic Guilds procession. 

PH 15^th June 1881 page 2: - The Band of Hope procession in Preston included: - GRAY’S BAND 

PH 6th September 1882 page 4: Bands at Preston Guild Processions. Friendly Societies: T. GRAY'S MILITARY BAND (PR)

Church of England Procession: GRAY'S BAND (PR), Trades Procession: TOM GRAY'S BRASS BAND 

PG 16th May 1883 page 6 PH page 2: Whitsuntide Walks at Preston. Catholic Guilds: GRAY'S MILITARY BAND

Church of England: GRAY’S MILITARY BAND   

PCh 9^th June 1883 page 5: - The St Augustine’s Temperance Society paraded with Mr. GRAY'S BRASS BAND.

PG 23rd June 1883: At Much Hoole on Monday last GRAY'S BAND (PRESTON) played. 

PCh 24^th May 1884: - Myerscough Club Day had GRAY’S MILITARY BAND. 

PCh 7th June 1884 page 6: Whit Walks in Preston. Church of England: GRAY'S MILITARY BAND 

PG 27^th May 1885: - Whitsuntide Festivities in Preston. Catholic Guilds: GRAY’S BAND

Church of England Sunday-Schools: GRAY’S MILITARY BAND

PCh 1^st August 1885: - Penwortham Flower Show as enlivened by GRAY’S MILITARY BAND. 

PCh 6^th September 1885: - At South Shore Club Day the procession was led by GRAY’S MILITARY BAND (of Preston)

PCh 15^th January 1887 page 1: - St Luke’s Annual Tea Party was to have contributions from the church choir and GRAY’S MILITARY BAND. 

PCh 14^th May 1887 page 2: - Myerscough Club Day engaged GRAY’S MILITARY BAND 

PG 22^nd June 1887 page 7: - Jubilee Processions in Preston : -The Friendly Societies had: GRAY’S BAND 

PCh 25^th June 1887 page 6: - “The Jubilee” At Brownedge a grand opera “Britannia and Her Daughter” was performed by the St. Mary’s Girls’ School. MR. GRAY’S MILITARY BAND playing on the new instruments bought for the BROWNEDGE BAND 

PCh 2^nd July 1887 page 2: - Queen Victoria’s Jubilee: -The “Imposing Demonstration by the Catholic Guilds” included GRAY’S MILITARY BAND 

 PG 31^st May 1890: - For the Preston Whitsuntide processions. The Catholic Guilds engaged: - GRAY’S MILITARY BAND, The Church of England engaged: - GRAY’S MILITARY BAND 

PH 20^th May 1891 page 2: - Whitsuntide in Preston. The Catholic procession included: GRAY’S MILITARY BAND  

PH 20^th June 1891 page 4: - At Catforth GRAY’S BRASS BAND played. 

PCh 19^th December 1891 page 4: - “Local News” St Luke’s Entertainment included GRAY’S MILITARY BAND. 

PCh 3^rd June 1893 page 8: - “Garstang”, Pilling Club Day had GRAY’S MILITARY BAND of Preston. 

Pr.Argus 24thDecember 1897 page 1: - Messer’s Holmes and Gray present a Military Concert in Preston with the BAND OF THE 5^th L.A. V. conducted by Mr. Gray. 

PG 11th January 1899 page 1: 44th Annual Maudland Tea Party and Ball at the Public Hall on 30th January with 5TH L.A.V. BAND conducted by T. Gray. 

PH 14^th January 1903 page 3 col. 1: - English Martyrs Reunion at the Public Hall had the BAND OF THE 5^th L.R.G.A.V. under Bandmaster Gray 

Pr Ch 31^st January 1903: - P.N.E. Bazaar; the BAND OF THE 5^th L.R.G.A.V. under Bandmaster Mr. T. Gray. 

PG 26^th January 1907 page 12: - Catholic Charity Ball had the BAND OF THE L.R.G.A. under the direction on Mr. Gray

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