Mr. Northcott served all through the Crimean war, and obtained three service medals. He was most fortunate, as he did not even receive a scratch. While fighting in the trenches one day he happened to glance round, and was surprised to discover that his brother was by his side. They had not seen each other for a long time, and the meeting under such circumstances can be imagined. Two of his brothers, John and William, served throughout the war. At its close he came to Victoria, the gold fever being then at its height. His stay in Bendigo was brief, as the New Zealand rush attracted his attention, but he returned in 1858 to Bendigo, and as the outlook was quiet, he went back to New Zealand in 1859. Finally, in 1860, he settled in the Bendigo district with his father and mother and brother William. They took up some land at Leichardt and remained there for some years. It was about this time that he became prominent in musical circles. He came of a musical family, as his oldest brother, John, was one of the musicians to the Royal Family, and was pensioned by the late Queen Victoria. His younger brother, William, is at the present time one of the leading cornet players in the United States. In 1867 the late Mr. Northcott married Miss Lansell, sister of Mr. Geo. Lansell, her demise having taken place about three months before. When he left Leichardt, Mr. Northcott became Mr. Lansell's general manager, and continued in that capacity for 26 years. While he was manager of the 180 Mine it is estimated that gold to the value of a million sterling was taken from the mine. It is, perhaps, in his capacity as a bandsman, that Mr. Northcott was best known, as he became a familiar figure not only in the chief centres of Victoria but throughout Australia. He first became leader of the old Volunteer Band, and he was subsequently leader of the Battalion Band at Castlemaine. It was when he became leader of the musical combination known as Northcott's Brass Band that his fame and the fame of the band became widespread, as some 25 years ago it was one of the finest bands in Australia, and held that distinction for many years. Although many changes in the personnel of the band have taken place, it still retainsits old name. Mr. Northcott was a cornet player of high ability, and in 1871 he was presented by the citizens of Bendigo with a handsome silver cornet, in recognition of his services as a musician. His home contains a great array of trophies, photographic groups of bandsmen etc., which serve to indicate in a sense the reputation he enjoyed as a bandsman. During his career in Bendigo he invested in mining a good deal, but was not very fortunate in this respect, as he lost a good deal of money on the New Chum line. Naturally he was well known and warmly respected, especially by bandsmen. He was a genial citizen, and made a large circle of sincere friends. He was a member of the Zenith Lodge of Masons, having passed through the chairs twice. He was also a member of the A.O.F., and formerly a member of the School of Mines Administrative Council. It was about this time that he became prominent in musical circles. He came of a musical family, as his oldest brother, John, was one of the musicians to the Royal Family, and was pensioned by the late Queen Victoria. His younger brother, William, was one of the leading cornet players in the United States.Black and white photograph of Northcott's City Band, Bendigo. 3 rows of men in Band Uniform. Drum centre, brass instruments.men laying in grass at front.organisation, band, northcott's city band

Paper advertising the book launch of 'Marching Through Three Centuries with the City of Bendigo Brass Band (1862 - 2001). Book launch took place on Saturday, 2nd November 2002 at the Campbell Theatrette, Bendigo. Mentioned is a short history of the City of Bendigo Brass Band, About the Author - Bob McCaskill, a photo of the band in the 1800's and a photo of the band at the 2002 Nationals in Geelong (Victoria). There is also a photo of the ornate cornet presented to John Northcott by the citizens of Bendigo in 1871. Included is a green flyer titled 'Become a Friend of City of Bendigo Brass'. It lists some advantages of becoming a member. Cost of membership $20.00 per year.city of bendigo brass band - marching through three centuries, campbell theatrette, city of greater bendigo, victorian state government, james northcott, northcott's city band, george lansell's sister, oscar flight, flight's city band, allans, arthur taylor, bendigo municipal band, bob mccaskill snr, arthur swift, bert pierce, gordon regan, alf swift, edward flood, frank taylor, bob mccaskill jnr, len ryan, trevor trewartha, city of bendigo brass band, andrew trewartha, david hague, bob mccaskill, jacinta allan mla, rod fyffe, bendigo historical society, peter darlow

James Northcott (1836-1904) was born in Devonshire, England. He joined the British Navy as a youth and served in the Crimean War. He came to Australia for the gold rush, and then briefly went to the New Zealand rush before returning to Australia in 1858. In 1867 he married Annie Lansell, sister of George Lansell. James became general manager of George's mines. Northcott's Quadrille Band was playing for dances in 1865 and there are reports of Northcott's Brass Band performing in 1867. James Northcott was also leader of the Volunteer Band and the 4th Battalion Band in Castlemaine during the late 1880's.Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from Wednesday, February 11, 2014. Brass attack: Northcott's city band is the caption of this early photograph from the LaTrobe Library. The problem is, no-one knows who Mr. Northcott was. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

In 1862 James Northcott established Northcott's City Band. Following his death in 1904, Oscar Flight took over the band and renamed it Flight's City Band. In 1921 the name was again changed to Bendigo Municipal Band and in 1982 it became the City of Bendigo Brass Band.Marching Through Three Centuries with the City of Bendigo Brass Band. The History of the City of Bendigo Brass Band 1862-2001. Compiled and Written by Robert McCaskill (Jnr).