During the 1914-1918 war, the band was suspended for two years despite optimism that it might continue, but the bandmaster was called away on war business and many of the bandsmen found they too had to leave. Alfred Hopkins, George Baker and Francis Greenaway were killed in the war, but the band spirit continued and it reformed after the war, returning to use the Cade Street practice room. A local newspaper described the band rising "phoenix-like out of the flames" and soon it was winning prizes for its playing; entering its first contest in 1922 and winning the 4^th section in 1923. In 1922, new uniforms were bought for the band’s 18 members at a cost of £63 1s 9d. They were black with a red stripe down the trousers. Not surprisingly, the band soon attracted a wider interest and a committee of local businessmen was formed to put the band on an organised footing and obtain fresh instruments. It is from 1928 that the band's written records date, and early minutes and accounts books made interesting reading.

Among the band’s varied engagements, one of the hardest was the hospital parade: "toil and sweat" as one old bandsman recalls. These parades held in aid of hospitals, lasted for miles. Heathfield Band played each year for Heathfield, East Hoathly and Warbleton parades, refreshing themselves with cider, beer and even bee wine! The band’s major weakness of the inter-war years was its failure to secure a permanent conductor. When Mr Pettit retired, several of the band’s members tried their hand at conducting but none lasted more than a few years, that is not until Mr A E Wise came along in 1937 to guide the band until his retirement in 1957, except for the war years. Playing continued throughout the war, the band being injected with enthusiasm by some members of the local ATC group, under the baton of Mr J W Durrent. This also guaranteed uniforms and engagements – one such engagement was at a secret church service on Tilsmore Common for some locally based Canadians before they went off to the famous Normandy landings the next day.

THE HEATHFIELD SILVER BAND TAKEN IN 1915