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EXPERIENCED PIPERS AND DRUMMERS WELCOME - see item below
The Pipes and Drums are one of the elements of which any Scottish Regiment is the most proud and the Pipes and Drums of the NSW Scottish Regiment are no exception. (in a Scottish regiment, the Pipes and Drums are never referred to as a Pipe Band, because the very nature of a band is to play in concert, whereas individual Pipers and Drummers can and do inspire and lead Sub-Units of the Regiment. In the early days and indeed the not so early days, Pipers and Drummers have led Companies and Platoons into battle).
The earliest record of Pipers and Drummers of the Scottish
Regiment goes back to 1886, when a photograph of a Scottish Rifles Piper was
published. There are numerous records of Pipers and Drummers being
attached to the Scottish Rifles, who also boasted a Brass Band. The
concept of having both Pipers and Drummers persisted until the 1950's when 30
Inf Bn NSW Scottish also had both.
As the Scottish Rifles developed , so did its Pipes and Drums, who like their successors, performed in many non-military events of the day as well as providing support to the Battalion as a Military Unit.
However with the demise of the Scottish Rifles and the loss of Scottish identity in 1912, the Pipes and Drums also were disbanded.
It was not until 1935, that they were reinstated. In that year the Commanding Officer of the Regiment visited the Sydney Thistle Band with a view to inviting the members as a whole to join the then newly raised kilted Unit. His invitation was successful, with a number of Pipers and Drummers, including Pipe-Major Potter, enlisting. Under the coaching and encouragement of Pipe-Major Potter, the Pipes and Drums began to grow and gain strength. 30th Infantry Battalion retained Pipes and Drums instead of a brass band on the outbreak of WWII, although, like many of the other members of the pre-war Battalion, a number of Pipers and Drummers chose to enlist in the Units of the AIF.
When 30 Inf Bn NSW Scottish Regiment was reformed after WWII, Pipers and Drummers were among the first recruits of the reformed Battalion and soon the Pipes and Drums were able to support the Battalion as required and also took part in many non-miltary events such as the Highland Gatherings at Balmoral Beach and on New Year's Day.
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| Pipes & Drums - Greta 1949 | Pipes & Drums lead the Bn - Greta 1949 |
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| Pipes & Drums - Singleton 1950 | Pipes & Drums - Singleton 1950 |
Photos Courtesy Arthur Christopher
In the period between re-formation in 1948 and disbandment in 1960, the Pipes and Drums continued to gain in strength and participated with distinction in the major events of the history of the 30 Inf Bn such as the Guard of Honour for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1958, whilst continuing to act in their operational role as an element of an Infantry Battalion.
When the 30 Inf Bn was disbanded in 1960, the Pipes and Drums became part of the new units, eventually becoming part of 2/17 Battalion where they continue to serve in the full uniform of the Black Watch, now with Pipers wearing Royal Stewart tartan .
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Pipers of 17 Bn RNSWR 1985 |
| Drummers of 17 Bn RNSWR 1985 |  |
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| The NSW Scottish Regimental Association Pipes and Drums |
Since 1998 the NSW Scottish Regimental Association has had its own Pipes and Drums, the only Regimental Association, so far as we know, that can parade either Pipes and Drums or a band. With the support of the Manly-Warringah Pipe Band, the NSW Scottish Regimental Association Pipes and Drums lead the Association's contingent at Anzac Day and Reserve Forces Day celebrations. The Association Pipes and Drums have earned a well deserved high reputation in their own right and complement the annual RNSWR Church Parade by marching the Queens and Regimental Colours into the church and providing a musical item during the Service.
If you are an experienced Piper or Drummer why not join us?
The Association is seeking experienced Pipers and Drummers who wish to continue their musical pursuits with a well respected military Pipes and Drums unit. The Pipes and Drums practice on Tuesday night each week and have six fixed public engagements each year, the Gemas Day Ceremony in January, the Association's AGM in February, the ANZAC Day March in April, the RNSWR Church Parade in June, the Reserve Forces Day Parade in early July and the 30th Battalions' Church Parade in November although there may be other requests from time to time.
If you are interested please contact our Pipe Major Bill Campbell on 9736 1334 or 0404 094 900.
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| Combined Pipes and Drums of the NSW Scottish Regimental Association and Manly-Warringah Pipe Band |
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