Pipes and Drums
A brief history

Massed Bands of 51HD at Aldershot 1939

Massed Bands of 51HD at Aldershot 1939

show info

Description:

The massed Pipes and Drums of the 51st Highland Division in Aldershot in 1939 - from the collection of Pipe Major A Duthie, formerly The Black Watch.

Credit:

Pipe Major A Duthie, Black Watch

Tags:

1939 . Black Watch . Mobilisation . Pipes & Drums . youcanhelp@

While drummers have had an established place in all British infantry from the raising of the first regiments, the bag pipes had a special place in the Scottish Regiments.

"Like the clans before them, the Highland regiments treated the music of the Great Highland Bagpipe as a normal part of regimental life in war and peace. The pipers were expected to play on the march, to rouse the spirits of men in battle, and to provide music off duty."
Taken from Queen's Own Highlander (Seaforth & Camerons)
"An Illustrated History" by Angus Fairrie.

Massed Bands of 51HD, Aldershot, 1939

Massed Bands of 51HD at Aldershot 1939

show info

Description:

Massed Pipes and Drums of the 51st Highland Division in Aldershot in 1939 - from the collection of Pipe Major A Duthie, formerly The Black Watch.

Credit:

Pipe Major A Duthie, formerly The Black Watch.

Tags:

1939 . Black Watch . Mobilisation . Pipes & Drums . youcanhelp@

While the establishment of pipers varied over time, a pipe major for each battalion and at least one piper per company has usually been recognised. Unlike military bandsmen (as distinct from drummers) who are military musicians with a secondary military role (usually medics), pipers and drummers are soldiers first and pipers and drummers second. They were integrated into companies, fought with them and were brought together to perform.

The two pictures (show above) of the Massed Pipes and Drums of the 51st Highland Division in Aldershot in 1939 are from the collection of Pipe Major A Duthie, formerly The Black Watch.

The following four photographs have been kindly sent to us by Sandy Reid and show Pipers and Drummers of the Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums during the inter-war period.

Seaforth TA pipes & drums

Seaforth TA pipes & drums

show info

Description:

Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums (during the inter-war period) - kindly sent to us by Sandy Reid.

Credit:

Sandy Reid

Tags:

Pipes & Drums . Seaforth Highlanders . TA . youcanhelp@

Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums

Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums

show info

Description:

Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums (during the inter-war period) - kindly sent to us by Sandy Reid.

Credit:

Sandy Reid

Tags:

Pipes & Drums . Seaforth Highlanders . TA . youcanhelp@

Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums

Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums

show info

Description:

Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums (during the inter-war period) - kindly sent to us by Sandy Reid.

Credit:

Sandy Reid

Tags:

Pipes & Drums . Seaforth Highlanders . TA . youcanhelp@

Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums

Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums

show info

Description:

Seaforth Highlanders TA pipes & drums (during the inter-war period) - kindly sent to us by Sandy Reid. This photo show what is likely to be a TA training camp in the background.

Credit:

Sandy Reid

Tags:

Pipes & Drums . Seaforth Highlanders . TA . youcanhelp@