< Back Clandeboye Pipe Band Grade V Pipe Band Pipe Major: Lead Drummer: Previous Next

< Back Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders Grade III Pipe Band Pipe Major: MWO Daniel Locke, CD Lead Drummer: Sgt Ryan Summerton, CD www.cameronsofcanada.ca Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada ‐the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders was formed in 1794. ‐Winnipeg’s regiment formed in 1910, hard on the heels of the Boer War. Winnipeg was the city of their regimental birth. The Headquarters were at 202 Main St. ‐one year after the formation of the Winnipeg Regiment, we affiliated with the Scottish Camerons, in 1911. (There were no pipe bands in Winnipeg prior to 1900. Then Clan Stewart No. 92, Order of Scottish Clans, formed a band, and John Duke became their Pipe Major in 1907. After that, the pipe band for the Regiment was organized in 1910 by PM John Duke. He continued with them all through the First World War.) WW1 – Camerons were part of 16th Battalion Canadian Scottish, 27th City of Winnipeg Battalion ‐formed 43rd and 79th Battalions, Cameron Highlanders of Canada – served France & Flanders. ‐179th and 174th Battalions were also Camerons. After the war, QOCH of Canada again became Canadian Militia. ‐referred to as “bare‐kneed barbarians”. They are Manitoba’s only kilted Highland Regiment. ‐25th anniversary was in 1935 ‐Pipe Major Donald McLeod – duty piper – his job was to raise you out of bed and then retreat at sundown. ‐played at 4 formal church parades each year – First Pres. Church/Annual Inspection/Decoration Day parade/Armistice Day ‐wore kilts and scarlets WW2 – on Sept. 1, 1939, orders given to mobilize for active service. ‐went to England at Christmas 1940. ‐Queen Elizabeth and King George V1 were very interested in pipe band. ‐throughout the war, the pipe band was in much demand. They helped to keep up morale. ‐The Dieppe Raid – Aug. 19, 1942 – “Operation Jubilee” ‐Cameron’s pipers played from a mile out at sea and on to the beach at Dieppe (River Scie) ‐all members of the pipe band who took part in the operation were casualties. Piper Gunn was killed and PM Alex Graham was taken prisoner. This was the last time in the history of the Canadian Highland regiments that pipers actually piped the troops into action. ‐only through the excellent co‐operation of the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force was it possible to bring back as many as they did. It was, indeed, a ‘Combined Operation’. ‐Pipers: L/Cpl Graham, Gunn, Young, Smith. Decimated; cut to pieces, yet it still functioned as a disciplined group. ‐505 Camerons set off in the morning of August 19/42. Next day, only 159 able‐bodied men could be assembled. ‐Back in Winnipeg, businesses and well‐wishers and the City of Wpg found funds to reequip the famous Cameron pipe band. Wounded pipers trained new ones. By November 1942, new pipes etc were being made. A ceremonial presentation was made on March 29, 1944. ‐former Lord Selkirk Boy Scout Pipe Band, QOCH and Centennial Band member, Alec Young’s father, Bill Young, had his pipes shot out from under his arm at Dieppe. Bill received 3 bullet wounds from which he recovered. The City of Winnipeg presented him with a new set of pipes which he used from D‐Day through to Germany, that his son Alec still owns. These were restored by Mark O’Rourke and are presently being played by a member of the McCombe family. ‐after the band was restored to their former splendor, they went to London, Dec. 1942 to make a recording for rebroadcast to Canada. ‐they returned to Dieppe on Sept. 3, 1944. Pipers paraded to the Canadian Cemetery for church service of Remembrance. The French had been caring for the graves. Ten Boer – April 17, 1945. The band, under PM McLeod, put on a fine show for the local inhabitants. The pipers hadn’t done much piping lately as they had their hands full as stretcher bearers – a risky business requiring coolness and courage. ‐pipers played in Oldenburg for the Victory Parade on May 9, 1945. In June the battalion moved to ex‐German naval quarters in Aurich. PM W. McLeod began teaching highland dancing to officers and men who wished to acquire this noble art. ‐On Sept. 15/45, a dance competition was held! ‐end of September, they travelled across Europe and left England Nov. 13th for home. ‐the 2nd Battalion (Reserve) was formed in 1940 – a constant reminder to Winnipeggers of the overseas unit. They carried on the traditions of the Regiment. They were also formed to take care of matters at home. The Ladies Auxiliary of the QOCH and Camerons Rehabilitation Association were formed. Women knit +++ socks. ‐after being a P.O.W., Alex Graham became Pipe Major in 1947. ‐There is a stained glass window in the First Presbyterian Church, honouring the Camerons. On Feb. 6, 1966, the Rev. Bruce Miles officiated over this. ‐ the #2 Militia helped during the 1950 flood. ‐March 1951, the Camerons and Pipe Band supplied the Honour Guard for the opening of the Provincial Legislature. Then on Oct. 18, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip visited. PM Graham and PS Roy Springett piped them to the Royal Alexander Hotel and Legislative Building. ‐Lt Col Rutherford was in command from 1951‐53 and was responsible for the Pipes and Drums being dressed as Camerons. ‐headquarters moved to Minto Armouries in 1955. ‐in 1959 the Pipes and Drums went to BC for the Centennial celebrations. ‐there was a special ceremony in June 1960 to celebrate 50 years. The massed band was lead by former PM Bill McLeod. 700 Camerons came to celebrate and remember. ‐on March 9, 1963 at Minto, the First Highland Pageant was held, co‐sponsored by the Regiment and the St. Andrew’s Society. This continued successfully until 1966. The Manitoba Highland Dancers Association (MHDA) participated as well. ‐on May 27, 1967 there was a celebration of Canada’s 100th birthday. “Trooping the Colour” – they paraded in their new green highland coatee, replacing the scarlet doublets which had been worn since 1910. ‐on July 1st, 1967, the Queen appointed Prince Phillip to be Colonel‐in‐Chief of the Regiment. That July he came for the Pan Am Games. The band was kept very busy for these celebrations. (Many of us remember standing in uniform in the stadium in the pouring rain with Prince Phillip!) ‐ in 1970 the pipes and drums played at Manitoba’s centennial at Lower Fort Garry and for the Royal Family two weeks later. ‐That August, 16 bandsmen went to Scotland to be in Edinburgh’s Military Tattoo. During the five weeks they were away, LSBSPB’s PM, Robert Fraser lead the band members who were still in Winnipeg. As a result, Senior Piper, Robyn McCombe was the first person to act as Pipe Major of the LSBSPB in Mr. Fraser’s absence and took the band to Churchill to pipe for the Queen. ‐in 1974 the band joined with other Winnipeg bands to form the Winnipeg Massed Pipe and Drum band to lead the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena. ‐they played again for Prince Phillip in 1978. ‐in the spring of 1979 the Regiment once again helping with the flooding in Winnipeg. And again for the 1997 “Flood of the Century”. ‐there was a 70th anniversary celebration in 1980. ‐in 1981 the band played at the Calgary Stampede. ‐in 2000 a petition was started by members of the St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg to save the QOCH militia regiment. Thankfully they are still in existence and were able to celebrate 100 years in 2010. ‐check out their website at http://thequeensowncameronhighlandersofcanada.net/index.html PIPE MAJORS ‐John Duke from 1910 to 1919 when he returned to Winnipeg. ‐John Coghill was PM in 1920 but moved to the Police Band in 1921. ‐Lachlan Collie was from 1921‐1929. He taught many of the men who formed the Police Band. ‐Donald McLeod took over Sept. 1, 1929 ‐Alex Graham was PM from 1947 to 1967. In Oct. 1962, he was promoted to the rank of Pipe Major Warrant Officer, Class 1 – making him only the 2nd man to ever receive this distinction in the Canadian Army. Bibliography “Whatever Men Dare” by R.W. Queen‐Hughes, 1960. The history of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada, 1935 – 1960 “The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada – 25th Anniversary Souvenir”. By Lt. Col. J.D. Sinclair, 1935. “The Lion Rampant – A Pictoral History of the QOCH of Canada 1910‐1985” by Grant C.A. Taylor, 1985. 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< Back St. Andrew's Pipe Band Grade III Grade III Pipe Band Pipe Major: Alex Pedin Lead Drummer: Dave Chorney The band was founded in 1973 by alumni of the Lord Selkirk Boy Scout Pipe Band with support from the St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg. After years of performing at major local events, the band shifted toward competition in the late 1980s. Earning strong results at the North American Championships and placing 7th at the 2008 Gr4 World Championships. Under the current Pipe Major Alex Peden and Drum Sergeant Dave Chorney the band continues to compete successfully across Canada and the U.S., maintaining a strong competitive presence. With plans to travel to Scotland in 2027. Previous Next

< Back St. Andrew's Pipe Band Grade IV Grade IV Pipe Band Pipe Major: Wes Sheppard Lead Drummer: * Accepting new members, teaching adults & youth, and are open to all cultures/genders. Good sense of humour is required. We are a well-organized, successful, competitive pipe band that formed in 2016. We have a dedicated core group of players and are led by a professional-level piper, allowing us to grow musically and build on our successes every year. While we focus on the music, primarily we are a friend-based and family-based organization who learn, perform and compete together, and care about each other. Our plan for the next three years leads us to competing at the World’s again in 2027. Every year, we compete in all of the local contests, and do some travelling. The Saskatchewan Highland Games is a regular competition for us, and we have also competed in the Calgary/Canmore highland games (2018), North American Championships in Maxville, Ontario, (2019), World Championships (2023). Our plan for the next three years includes games in the northern United States (2025), the Midwestern US championships (2026) and a return to Scotland (2027). Along with the focus on competition, every year we take on opportunities to perform as a band. We are currently preparing music for a major concert for winter 2026. Regular performances for us include Folklorama, the Kenora Canada Day parade and on the waterfront along with a performance at the Mather Walls house (and sometimes at a local pub), the Morden Corn & Apple Parade, and the Westgrove School community celebration. Over the years we have also performed a joint concert with the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band in Ottawa in a park overlooking Parliament, played outside of the Glasgow Concert Hall, and also along the Buchanan Street mall in Glasgow, performed for ceremonies for the Northwestern Command Royal Canadian Legion, played in the Sikh Society of Manitoba parade, the Carman parade, and the Powerview/Pine Falls parade, as well as private performances in the Interlake. We have many successful solo competitors in our band at the Grade 4 and 3 level, and we host a monthly Piobaireachd workshop with a world-class piper. In September 2023 we opened up a successful teaching program in the band, and plan to expand it this year – building towards opening a competitive Grade 5 band. Previous Next

< Back Prairie Community Youth Pipes and Drums Band officer: Ken Boath Pipe major: Dustin Wolfe Lead drummer: Catrina Esposito Contact: Email: prairiethistlepipeband@outlook.com Debbie WolfeCaille: (204) 782-6482 Catrina Esposito: (204) 880-8849 We are a Not-For Profit teaching band of all ages. With a small fee for practice equipment everything else is provided. After 36 years of serving in the cadet program from Army and Navy, Ken decided to retire and open a Pipes and Drums school in Winnipeg for the Army, Navy and Air cadets to train together. After five years the cadet program decided to opt out, and Ken opened up the Prairie Community Youth School for Pipes and Drums. This is how our program began. The program was initially for kids of the region to get free training in pipes and drums and we have since widedend the age range from ages 4 and up at a low cost to cover practice instruments. Lead drummer Experience: Catrina began drumming at the age of 16 with the Royal Canadian sea cadet corps Crusader #25. She worked with the 199 Air cadet Squadron and Navy Leauge of Selkirk brass and reed bands as band officer. She has played with grade 3 bands such as Winnipeg Celtic /Erin Street and QOCH. She attended and played in the Virginia Military International Tattoo 2018. She also attended Drumming workshops with Tyler Fry, and Jeremy White. She taught at Rocky Mountain cadet summer training center, played in honour band. She continues to compete in solo drumming competitions through out the year collecting, Gold and Silver medals. We strive to help strengthen the knowledge and growth of the Pipe Band community and have fun at the same time. Previous Next

< Back Winnipeg Police Pipe Band Contact info coming soon The Winnipeg Police Pipe Band The Winnipeg Police Pipe Band was established in 1920. Initially membership to the band was open to non-members of the Police Force. As the Force grew in size and more pipers and drummers entered into police service, the Police Commission in 1939 directed that only members of the Force would be permitted membership in the band. In the 1980's, due to promotions and retirements, the Band again began to include volunteer pipers and drummers as it does to this day. The current band includes police officers, fire fighters, military personnel, accountants, tradesmen, business owners and representatives of many industries. However, it is still a tradition that the role of the Pipe Major (band leader) is filled by a current enlisted police officer. From 2003 to the present, Doug Roxburgh has served as the band’s Pipe Major. No matter what their background, the members of the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band strive to play music of the highest level that will move and delight their audiences. One of the Band’s regular functions since 1961 has been the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Grey Cup festivities. The Band is proud to be the only Pipe Band in Canada to have performed in every Grey Cup City in Canada. Other prestigious events include the Rose Bowl Parade and the World Curling Championships. Over 90 years of performing has led the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band to many wonderful locations throughout the world. No doubt, they will continue to thrill audiences for years to come. The band continues to grow and is essential in promoting Scottish Heritage within the community through organizing recitals and concerts and playing at many events in and around the City of Winnipeg. Look forward to seeing them at the Pavilion of Scotland at Folklorama every August. Rural Manitoba is not overlooked, as the band participates in parades celebrating festivals at places like Lac du Bonnet, Neepawa, Warren, Altona, Grunthal, Morden and Brandon, to name a few. The band is over 60 members strong and growing. In 2013, a segment of the band decided to take up the challenge of competing. Under the leadership of Nathan Mitchell, to date, this competition band has placed first in every competition held at the grade three level. However, the whole band continues to perform and thrill their audiences both nationally and internationally with their masterful play and striking full dress uniform. Attired in their traditional Royal Stewart Tartan, (which the Band was granted permission to wear by the Lord Master of the Rolls for the United Kingdom) the band has performed in cities across North America like Las Vegas, Cleveland, Minneapolis and Norfolk, Virginia. As well, the band has been honoured to perform for a number of royal and foreign dignitary visits including two by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As they approach their 100th anniversary, the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band is grateful to those audiences who have shown their support. It is this enthusiastic encouragement that allows the Band to continue its proud legacy. Over 90 years of leadership: Pipe Majors Doug Roxburgh 2003 – present I. Stewart MacPherson 2000 - 2003 A. Bruce Taylor 1986 - 1999 Donald A. Morrison 1969 - 1985 Neil Sutherland 1948 - 1969 J. Coghill 1920 – 1948 Pipe Sergeants Garth McCombe I. Stewart MacPherson A. Bruce Taylor Ross McClay Daniel MacKay Harold Forgie Robert Young Drum Majors Rob Duttchen Present Robert Watson John Robins Cliff Cooke Thomas Arfield John Coghill Drum Sergeants Rob Chennells Present Robert Draho Russell Lelliott Robert Cooper Harold Cooper Andrew Swan Sid Hughes Information compiled by Janet McCombe with assistance from the Winnipeg Police Pipe Band website. For more information: www.wppb.ca Previous Next

< Back Lord Selkirk RFM Pipe Band Grade IV Pipe Band (youth) Pipe Major: Lead Drummer: www.lsrfmpb.ca In the 1950’s the Manitoba Scout Council wanted to start a Boy Scout Pipe Band. They approached Mr. Robert Fraser who had recently emigrated from Scotland. The Lord Selkirk Boy Scout Pipe Band (LSBSPB) had its humble start the fall of 1957. In the beginning, instructors whittled dummy chanters out of wood and drew in the finger holes! Some other key instructors in the early days were Mr. Douglas Will, Harold Cooper and Jack Gunn, to name a few. The Cameron Highlanders loaned them a set of pipes in the 1960s, and a donation from the Kiwanis Club finally enabled the band to buy bagpipes. The band wears the Douglas tartan to honour Thomas Douglas, the Fifth Earl of Selkirk, who sent 23 Scottish settlers to the banks of the Red and Assiniboine rivers in 1812 to begin a new life. Over the past 20 years, when the band has made the trip to Scotland, they have always visited the present “Lord Selkirk” at the family estate at Lennoxlove. More recently that has been James Douglas-Hamilton, Baron Selkirk of Douglas, 11th Earl of Selkirk, and his wife Lady Susan Douglas that the boys have visited both in Scotland and in Winnipeg when the couple came to commemorate the Clearances and the statue honouring the Selkirk Settlers. Mr. Fraser came from Arbroath, Scotland. A professional printer by trade, Mr. Fraser also served in the Royal Air Force and studied and taught piping from an early age. He was involved with The Boys Brigade in Scotland and was a member of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. Mr. Fraser served in the Scottish Air Force in World War II, after which he married his wife, Frances. In addition to starting the Lord Selkirk band, Mr. Fraser was also Pipe Major of the St. Andrew’s Society Pipe Band and the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders here in Winnipeg. Many credit Mr. Fraser’s personal example of musicianship and excellence in teaching, as well as his generosity and kindness, with the band’s longevity and success. Mr. Fraser has always insisted that no boy should be left behind because their family couldn’t afford to pay their way. Mr. Fraser’s first piping instructor would not accept payment for teaching, Therefore, in kind, Mr. Fraser has given free instruction to thousands of Manitoba boys who now are accomplished pipers, piping teachers and judges the world over. There are many drummers who have reached those same levels. For more than 50 years Mr. Fraser was the Heart and Soul of the Pipe Band. He continued to dedicate his time, efforts, talent, kindness and patience to produce outstanding pipers and drummers until just a couple of months prior to his death. An equally dedicated staff of piping and drumming alumni continue to volunteer their time each week to teach and practice with the boys. All band members have their uniforms, kit and travel expenses provided. For thirty years Mrs. Francis Fraser was the organizational backbone of the band. The behind-the-scenes contributions Mrs. Fraser made to the Pipe Band are immeasurable. She kept all the records and minutes of the Ladies Auxiliary meetings, helped with fundraising, supervised and cared for the boys on all the trips, and opened her home for meetings and lessons on Monday nights. She was by Mr. Fraser's side at every Band trip and function. She was an accomplished artist, and would often donate one of her paintings to be raffled off as a contribution to the band. Each October the Ladies Auxiliary held a Tea under her direction at the Fransiscan Friar on Edmonton Street, which was a very successful fundraiser. Sporting a good sense of humour and wanting to prove that Bob Fraser wasn’t the only piper in the family, Francis organized a Ladies Pipe Band complete with kilts made of garbage bags covered in coloured tape in the Douglas tartan! In the early years, the pipe band was associated with the Ladies' Caledonian Society and the Sons of Scotland. The original band parents were divided into the Ladies Auxiliary and the Men's Club. The Ladies made mealy pudding in the basement of the hall to fundraise and made enough money to buy 5 sets of pipes. In the early 1980's the two groups joined and became the parent committee. The parent executive committee is now the primary fundraising force behind the Band. This executive, with the support of all the parents, is responsible for keeping the band outfitted in uniforms and instruments, planning and arranging all band trips and entrance into competitions, and maintaining the Saturday morning canteen. Most of the volunteer instructors are former band members or parents. These parents and volunteers are all dedicated to the goals of the band. Early in the 2000’s, because the band was focused entirely around instruction, performances and competitions, leaving little or no time for the boys to participate in more traditional Scouting activities, the band’s charter with the Scouting movement came to an end. In 2008, the band’s name officially changed to the Lord Selkirk Boys Pipe Band (LSBPB). Nothing has changed in the band’s policy, in that it still helps turn young boys in to fine musicians and outstanding citizens, who also develop a keen interest and love of the culture and music of Scotland. The band has traveled to Scotland a number of times for the boys to experience that culture first hand, and also to have the opportunity to perform at various venues and compete at the World’s Pipe Band Competition in Glasgow. Most recently were trips in 2000, 2004, 2009 and 2012. In keeping with Mr. Fraser’s philosophy, all participating boys had all their trip expenses paid for by the diligent fundraising efforts of the parent committee. What a gift! In 2009, the two-week trip saw the boys playing at Sterling Castle, Piping Live in George Square which was televised on the Internet, placing 8th in the World on Glasgow Green and taking first place at the Bute Highland Games! Many other great events happen on these trips like the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, strolling the fields of Culloden and seeing heather covering the moors like a purple blanket, while driving north to Inverness. In September 2007, a weekend of festivities took place to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary and Mr. Fraser’s involvement all these years. A wonderful dinner was held at the Hotel Fort Garry and many alumni participated. As they reminisced about their time in the band, two major highlights were shared by almost everyone who spoke – their admiration for Mr. Fraser and their trips to Scotland. Sadly, Mr. Fraser passed away on March 13, 2012 at age 89, but his band proudly marches on! http://www.lsbpb.ca/index.html Previous Next