Fans of TV's 'Sharpe' series will be clamouring to download 'Love Farewell', a new song just released by the Band and Bugles of The Rifles and John Tams. £1 will buy you the single with all the proceeds  going to support the wounded.

Fans will remember folk legend John Tams as Rifleman Daniel Hagman of the 95th Rifles but few will have realised that he was responsible for much of the music featured in the series based on Bernard Cornwell's books:

"I'm a civilian - I hold no truck with war yet the young men and women returning in heartbreaking numbers, dead and wounded in service was an opportunity to put my voice where they had put their lives - a small gesture for me - an all too often life-losing, life changing sacrifice for them. It's a lovesong, a leave-taking song without jingoism or sabre rattling and if it makes a difference to the care of those coming home and their families, my small contribution has been worthwhile."

'Love Farewell' has been released to help raise funds for Help for Heroes, the charity set up by ex-Royal Green Jacket Bryn Parry:

"I was in the Royal Green Jackets, now The Rifles, back in the day when dinosaurs walked the earth, and as they say, once a Rifleman always a Rifleman. The Rifles have been involved in the toughest fighting continually since they formed in February 2007. Although they are a new Regiment, they are formed from glorious ancestors and are very proud of their heritage and way of operating. You will have heard of the casualties sustained by The Rifles in the dustbowl of Sangin and elsewhere in Helmand and I have met many of those who have returned home, badly wounded, and who are now recovering in Selly Oak and Headley Court. I have also met some of the families of the Riflemen who have fallen.

"So having confessed to being a Rifleman, you will not be surprised to hear that when I heard the song 'Love Farewell' I was very moved. It is unusual to hear a song performed by a military band, especially The Rifles who march at 140 paces per minute. The song was inspired by a challenge set to The Band and Bugles by their Colonel Commandant, Lieutenant General Sir Nick Parker, to produce music that would be relevant to, and inspire today's soldiers. 'Love Farewell' was the result. It has been performed this year to audiences from all three Services, including Royalty, to critical acclaim.

"Love Farewell is available now on our website as a download and comes with the bonus track 'Over the Hills and Far away/Sharpe's Theme', again immediately recognisable from the Sharpe series. It only costs £1 to download and all proceeds will go to support the wounded. It's a really simple way to support the blokes and The Rifles. Please buy a copy regardless of your regiment or Service loyalty and then suggest that all your contacts do the same. It would be wonderful if we could top the charts with a download... and it's only a quid."