Great War bagpipes - Where did they come from?

[12cmgc]

During the first World War there were numerous British and Canadian pipe bands formed at the individual battalion level. The question I have is how the bagpipes were supplied to the pipers.

In reading some history, the citizens of Saskatoon had a funding drive to buy bagpipes for the 96th Battalion CEF. I believe I also read that Nova Scotia citizens did something similar for the 85th and/or its related units. I know the 43rd pipe band, all pipes and drums were bought completely by the then Mayor of Winnipeg. In the book, "Military Collectibles and Antiques of the Great War", it is also mentioned that pipers also brought and used their own instruments. I believe the 48th Highlanders/15th Battalion bands were supplied thru regimental funds.

So was this the case in how bagpipes were supplied or did the military place orders for the instruments to provide to these bands as well. If so who did they primarily order from and what type of pipes?

Thanks for any info provided!!

[Adam Sanderson]

I've seen quite a few WW1 era pipes and I own set of Hendersons that were used in the Cameronians. I know that these were bought by the piper's father, who was a colonel, and given to him as a gift in 1914, although the pipes are hallmarked 1913. The majority of WW1 pipes I have seen appear to be mainly Hendersons and Lawries.

As for Canada, James Richardson of the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish) Canadian Expeditionary Force has a well known story. His pipes are now back in Canada and look like Hendersons.

I know that when numerous sets of pipes were bought at one go, often it was often an individual (eg, Harry Lauder), or a group pooling funds to buy them, (such as the group of "Scottish Ladies living in London" that bought pipes for the London Scottish).

Other pipers used the pipes that they had been using in pipebands in peacetime. Certainly pipebands joined up wholesale in Scotland.

I am under the impression that WW2 saw a much more organised distribution of MoD bagpipes, but that WW1 saw a variety of methods, including donations, subscriptions, army issue, benefactors, hand-me-downs, etc.

I think there might several answers to this question.

[aboode]

I found this about an order for bagpipes for the 43rd Bn C.E.F.:

http://www.umanitoba.ca/libraries/archives/canada_war/gordon/Website/Box%2021/Folder%204/Headquarters43rdBattalionFeb131915_1.shtml

http://www.umanitoba.ca/libraries/archives/canada_war/gordon/Website/Box%2021/Folder%204/Headquarters43rdBattalionFeb131915_2.shtml

Aad

[Shawn Husk]

Very very cool Aboode!

[12cmgc]

Aboode,

Thanks for posting the links. I also posted the same links here in 2008 when I found out about the 43rd pipe-drum order back then.

In any event, somebody in the UK has a 1917 set of Hendersons in silver that were a part of that original order. They sold on EBay in 2001 for $3K + out of Winnipeg.... a steal in my opinion. I wonder if they are played at all.... or just stashed away

[aboode]

The funny thing is that according my information John Duke (born 1881 Dundee, Scotland; died 1954) was Pipe Major of the 43rd Bn C.E.F. from 1914 - so what did the Pipes & Drums do till 31 March 1915?
Aad

[phinson]

According to John Wilsn's autobiography, before the 4th Camerons went on active duty, he sent "a lot of spare parts" to Sinclair to be made up into 6 sets of drones with new bags, chanters, etc. Wilson says that Sinclair "did a fine job". Rather than good/personal sets, these were the instruments 4th Camerons evidently went to France with in 1940. Maybe the same was done in 1914 where possible/necessary.

Paul Hinson

[Rob MacDonald]

The original pipers of the 72nd Highlanders of Canada brought their own pipes with them when they enlisted in 1910, but by 1914 they were all carrying sets purchased by RHQ. These are thought to have all been Hendersons with a regimental stamp on the drone stock but at least one set of Lauries was taken overseas.

Most of these regimental-issue Hendersons survived until at least 1945, but had all 'evaporated' from QM by 1978.

A couple of sets have been brought back to the regiment over the last few years and we know or at least suspect where another set is.

I'll be posting photos of them on the Regimental Museum website once we've settled in to our new location - we're in the process of scanning and photographing the entire collection in order to establish a Virtual Museum:
http://seaforthhighlanders.ca/organi...aforth-museum/

[12cmgc]

Thanks for all the replies!!

It appears to confirm so far that the majority during the Great War were bought thru regimental funds, fund raising campaigns and/or individuals bringing in their own pipes.

Much appreciated.

[Roddy Livingstone]

Originally Posted by phinson

According to John Wilsn's autobiography, before the 4th Camerons went on active duty, he sent "a lot of spare parts" to Sinclair to be made up into 6 sets of drones with new bags, chanters, etc. Wilson says that Sinclair "did a fine job". Rather than good/personal sets, these were the instruments 4th Camerons evidently went to France with in 1940. Maybe the same was done in 1914 where possible/necessary.

Paul Hinson

IIRC John Wilson said the 'made up' set of Sinclairs was "the finest bagpipe he had ever played, including the MacDougall's inherited from his uncle 'The Baldooser' ". The pipes were lost in the aftermath of Dunkirk.