William Ralph Driffill

William Ralph Driffill (8 December 1870, Dunstable – 24 April 1922, Barnet) was an English organist and composer. Personal life Driffill was the son of William Driffill, a plumber who ran his own business in Dunstable, and Maria (née Potter). In 1908 he married Kate Prior (1879–1947). Their first child was Helen Elsbeth (1914–96). Their second child was Kathleen Rosemary (1922–2008); she was born 6 months after her father’s sudden death from pneumonia in 1922. Student days In 1890, Driffill enrolled at the Royal Academy of Music. During his time there he gained prizes for his playing and composition. In 1891, he is recorded as gaining the status of ‘Certificated Pianist’ of Trinity College of Music in their ‘35th Half-Yearly Higher Examinations’. Performing Conductor * 1900: Barnet: Mr. W. R. Driffill’s Choral Society gave a highly satisfactory performance, on the 8th ult., of Franco Leoni’s “Gate of Life,” preceded by Mendelssohn’s “Hymn of Praise” … The singing of the choir gave evidence of careful and efficient training, which reflected great credit on the conductor, Mr. Driffill. Organist * n.d.: organist at St. Mary the Virgin, in Monken Hadley, Hertfordshire. * 1896–? : org