Music in Air Force blue

At the outbreak of the Second World War at RAF Uxbridge, a London Irish former boxer realised that the best service the country's classical musicians could offer the war effort was to keep on playing in the uniform of the RAF. Sarah Walker traces the story of Squadron Leader R P O'Donnell and the symphony orchestra he formed with many of the finest instrumentalists of the day -- among them the celebrated Griller Quartet, the flautist Gareth Morris and the legendary horn player Dennis Brain. With contributions also from Warrant Officer Gil Singleton of the RAF Central Band, Karen Fishman from the Library of Congress and Martin Jones, archivist of the Philharmonia Orchestra.