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A Lancashire Lad
Born in the Lancashire mill town of Burnley the year after the First World War ended was the Son of Abraham and Florence Bettany. Des grew up the second of four children.
While attending Secondary Boys’ School and Technical College, he developed an interest in art and music. On leaving school he trained as an analytical chemist and worked in the chemistry lab of an artificial silk factory.
He became a lifelong fan of U.S. harmonica virtuoso Larry Adler, and was given his first harmonica by the man himself when he turned up at the stage door of a local theatre where Larry was performing.
Asking staff to present Adler with a pencil portrait he had drawn from a photo (he couldn’t afford to attend the concert). He was invited to meet Larry who presented Des with one of the many harmonicas he travelled with. The musical and entertainment bug must have bitten, as in his spare time he began entertaining the children in a local cinema with his harmonica and art work, as ‘Uncle Desmond’. Many years later he was to form a successful harmonica trio.
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