The Stewart Tartan Pipes and Drums

If you have photos of Bay Area Pipe Band that have gone by, please email them with band identity and year to

The 6th Army Pipe Band was founded at the behest of Gen. Mark Clark in 1948 and disbanded in 1959. I was the last surviving member and spent the last six months of my tour of duty as assistant supply clerk with the chore of dispensing our "kit" to the US Army Reserve group in Sacramento. All members of the 6th Army Pipe Band were regular army and you had to enlist for three years and be auditioned to be assigned to the band. The Band traveled 80,000 miles each year throughout the 6th Army region. We were billeted in Army/Air Force and Navy bases and also in an occasional flop house. You have mentioned Biswell and McErlean (the latter won the Worlds Drum Section award with Triumph Street after his army days) but James Christy Watt Thomson was also a member in the 50s. Taught by the blind piper Archie MacNeill. He was a solo piper of note and competing successfully both at home and abroad. He also became the Pipe Major of the original Los Angeles Scottish Pipe Band along with other alumnae of 6APB: Willie Capperauld (Bass), Charlie Capperauld (lead stroke), myself, and Sam Sweetman from the north. Sammy was a fine piper from Glasgow who also helped instruct some of the originals of the Stuarts!! A most musical aggregation that competed very successfully in Grade 1 for years. [by Ozzie Reid]

The uniforms and gear from the 6th Army Pipe Band went to the Army's 191st Division Band [by Chuck Jamison]

They won the Class B championships at Highland Games held in Portland and Seattle in 1957. They wore Royal Stewart kilts/plaids with doublets and glengarries. [by SF Call]

Reprinted with permission from the SAN FRANCISCO HISTORY CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY

6th Army Pipe Band (1952): "SIXTH ARMY BAGPIPERS TO PLAY ARMED FORCES DAY--The Sixth Army's colorful pipe band, familiarly known as the 'Kilties,' will provide a musical highlight during the afternoon at Sunday's Armed Forces Day program in Lakeside Park, Oakland. Composed of eight pipers and four drummers, the group is the only military bagpipe band in this area. Other units slated for the afternoon program, beginning at 12:30, are the crack 373rd Port Battalion cadence drill team, the Fort Mason WAC drill team, and drill teams from the Treasure Island Electronics School and Parks Air Force Base. A formal guard mount will be held by the 839th Transportation Port Company of Oakland Army Base, and the Fort Mason and Parks Air Force bands will play periodically during the afternoon. The Armed Forces Day exhibits will be open from 11:00 A. M. to 6:00 P. M.". SAN FRANCISCO NEWS - CALL BULLETIN 14 May 1952

Reprinted with permission from the SAN FRANCISCO HISTORY CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY

6th Army Pipe Band (1956): "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: One of the Army's most colorful units, the tartan-clad Sixth Army Pipe Band from the Presidio of San Francisco, Calif., is scheduled to make several appearances during Armed Forces Day observances at the Presidio on Saturday, May 19. The 15-man unit which made its debut on Armed Forces Day at the Presidio in May, 1950, has appeared at many state and county fairs and military and patriotic functions, has participated in numerous guards of honor at Sixth Army Headquarters for top-ranking Armed Forces officers and civilian dignitaries, and has made many television appearances. The richly ornamental uniform of the Pipe Band traces its origin back to the ancient Scottish wars when the soldiers wore silver buttons to defray their burial expenses if they were killed far from home, and silver chains to pay for food and clothing if they were captured. The white gaiters are a memento of the privations endured during the Peninsular War when, their boots worn out on the rocky coast of Portugal, the men wrapped their feet in their shirts. The tartan is that of the Royal Stuarts. Drum major for the unit and non-commissioned officer in charge of the Pipe Band is Sergeant Richard K. Kirkland of Alameda, Calif., who has been a member of the band for the past three years. Pipe major is Private First Class Victor A. Biswell of Piedmont, Calif.". SAN FRANCISCO NEWS - CALL BULLETIN 27 Apr 1956

Reprinted with permission from the SAN FRANCISCO HISTORY CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY

6th. Army: Ed. Rowbottom; Bob Varvell; George Knudson; Jack Donaldson; Gerald R. Smith; Chuck Epperson; O. Reid.

Sgt. Al Pierce; Ken Adcock; Willie McErlean; John McCullough; Charles Capperauld; Terry Hahn; Sgt. Richard Kirkland.

6th Army Pipe Band (June 1958)

The 360th Regiment, 91st Division (USAR) Pipe Band inherited the 6th Army Pipe Band's uniforms and gear [Chuck Jamison]

Photo courtesy of Chuck Jameson (Archivist of the Sacramento Caledonian Club and St. Andrews Society)

Front Row (Left to Right): PMaj Bill Driscoll, Charlie Martin, Noreen Brosnan, PSgt Ian Campbell

At some point in the 1920's - 1930's "Awful Fresh MacFarlane" candy company sponsored a Pipe Band in Oakland. [by Rick Coffee]

The Piedmont High School Pipe Band was allied to the Awful Fresh MacFarlane Candy and Nuts Pipe Band...great title!!! Never heard them play as they broke up prior to my arrival in Northern California. The photo below shows a well turned out band: 10 pipers, 2 snares, 1 tenor and a bass, Full rig. Bill Scrimager as Pipe Major and Bill Skinner who was the Pipe Sergeant. Fred MacLennan was in the band along with Brick Johnson. Bobby Nichol was a snare drummer who later was renowned as a a teacher of Highland Dance in the 60s. Several did double duty with the Caledonian Pipe Band. There actually was a reed company of that name that, in some fashion, sponsored the band. On my arrival in the East Bay in 1959 there still was a candy company by that name located at 35th Ave and E. 14th. St. in Oakland, but no Pipe Band! [by Ozzie Reid]

PMaj Bill Scrimager, Jimmy Whalen, Glen "Brick" Johnson, Sam Kelso, J. Stewart, James Johnson, Don MacFarlane, Fred MacLennon, Malcolm Gilmore, Bill Skinner, Will Gillespie, Alex McAdam, Bobby Nicols, Bob Muir

Special Thanks to DSgt Rick Coffee for supplying the below photos and providing background information

No idea when this was formed. It was operating in the early 50's though as the dates on the photos show. The band met in the basement of the Berkeley Veteran's Memorial Building on Center Street and was loosely sponsored by the Legion. No (or little) funds but the occasional job or recommendation for a job. They were poor - so was the band. Old, Royal Stewart kilts, ancient drums and that was about it for equipment. Everything else you bought yourself. The main source of income was a dinner that the band put on once a year in the dining room of the Vet's Building. Perhaps two or three performances.

The band was, as the photos show, tiny. It never got any bigger as I recall. It neither played or drilled well but no one seemed to care about that much at the time. Eventually enough money was on hand to buy new "Hunting" MacPherson kilts which were the flimsiest material ever seen on the face of the earth. Grey and ugly too.

John Short and Don Fiddes quit the band in 1956 or so to join the Caledonian Band in San Francisco and I followed them about six months later when it became clear that the Berkeley band was soon to collapse and there would be a chance to continue playing at a higher level.

The first drum instructor was an old WWI Scottish vet named Gordon Muir, who may well have played with the MacFarlane Band along with "Brick" Johnson and Archie MacLennon (both eventually at Piedmont High) who later became the organizer/promoter and piping instructor (respectively) there. [by Rick Coffee]

Tom Hattam Jay Marden Jimmy MacSwan Tom Ellwood Calvin McElroy Rick Coffee Unknown Tommy Armstrong

The Black Raven Pipe Band (1967). Santa Maria, Calif. I cannot recall how many times the Raven's played this job or where this year fits in the pattern. I do recall, though, that somehow we got the gig after the great break up with the Irish Band and the start of the Ravens. [Special Thanks to DSgt Rick Coffee for supplying photos and background information (names to the best of his recollection - spelling questionable)]

Denton Crochit Rick Coffee Mike (Unknown) George Brooke (unknown) Bob Jamison Bryce Horst Calvin McElroy Unknown

Bill Cathro Bill Weber Herb Dedo Bob Castiglione Tommy Armstrong Unknown Jay Marden George Shell Unknown Tom Hattam Tom Elwood

The Black Raven Pipe Band (1969) Special Thanks to DSgt Rick Coffee for supplying photos (names to the best of his recollection - spelling questionable)

The Black Raven Pipe Band (1979) Santa Rosa Games with the Fairfield High School Band

Left Rank: Ralph Voice Cameron McFadden Marjie Swiaja Charlie Martin PMaj Bill Cathro

Right Rank: PSgt Fred Rutledge Roger Weed Carol Sawyer John Flynn Scott Tyree DMaj Jack Gerhardt

Black Raven Pipe Band (1982) The Black Raven Pipe Band put on the Highland Games at the Dunsmuir House in the Oakland Hills. This is front the front steps of the Dunsmuir House. [by Carol Sawyer]

Special Thanks to DSgt Rick Coffee for supplying the below photos and providing background information

John Short Dave Blue Gordon Wardlaw Russ Scholl Gene Wallace John Biggar Geoffrey Baldwin

Caledonian Pipe Band 1956. Burn's Night Concert. Note the bugles. The drummers played a "Retreat" as part of the show. The "Long Reveille" and "Last Post" were the bugle tunes along with a certain amount of marching back and forth. It was not a great success. Note, too, that Jack MacKenzie is wearing a sash -- it was blue and given to him for 40 years in the band. (Names to the best of my recollection - spelling questionable)

John Biggar Ian Campbell Russ Sholl Mike Avril Dave Blue Unknown Don Fiddes Geoffrey Baldwin

Caledonian Pipe Band - 1958 (?). Probably Burn's Night Concert (Names to the best of my recollection - spelling questionable)

Jim Harrington (Sr. Drum Major Adjudicator, WUSPBA) notes that Geoffrey Baldwin was a former Royal Marines Drum Major who later became the Drum Major of the Stuart Highlanders until he retired in 1967. DMaj Baldwin was also one of the first Drum Major judges for the PCPBA.

Vic Biswell and I (Rick Coffee) at some promotional event in downtown San Francisco hotel sometime in the late 50's or early 60's. No idea as to what it was all about but it was in the middle of the day and we were paid well. The ladies had been handling out samples of whatever it was and the "official" photographer thought this would be a great shot. Never saw either one of them again.

Vic Biswell Ozzie Reid Dave Blue Bruce Flood Charlie Dawson John Partnon Jim King Don Fiddes Calvin Biggar

Caledonian Pipe Band 1959 - 1960 (?). Petaluma/Santa Rosa Games. (Names to the best of my recollection - spelling questionable). My recollection is that Ozzie Reid and Willie McEarlan were still with the 6th Army Pipe Band at the time and that Vic Biswell (who had been Pipe Major there) asked them to help out. Bert Thompson took over as Drum Sergeant later. The white jackets were a new addition for summer taking the place of the "Piper Green" and Red with "Crown Lace" tunics seen the other photos of the band. Pipers wore "Royal" and Drummers "Hunting" Stewart tartan. [by Rick Coffee]

Caledonian Pipe Band (left to right): Unknown, John Biggar, Unknown, Unknown, Calvin Biggar, Roger Peterson, Alfred Thompson, Bill Skinner, Jack MacKenzie

Bob and Will Gillespie both belonged to the MacFarlane and Caledonian PBs. As you can see from the pictures there was a true melding of the two bands, I guess due to transportation and shortage of numbers. [by Ozzie Reid]

The Cameron Highlanders of San Francisco: Either Christmas of 1954 or St. Patrick's Day of 1955, Byron Davies was in downtown San Francisco and heard bagpipes. As it turns out Bob Cowan had been hired to by Scottish Imports, Inc. to play in front of their store on Geary Street. Bob indicated that a new pipe band was forming and would be meeting at the Scottish 555 Club on 555 Turk St (subsequently razed to make way for the Federal Building). Byron Davies and I worked at the same location. I was in the Navy and Byron was a civilian employee. One day I heard bagpipes and I discovered it was Byron practicing. I indicated that I was a brass band drummer and always loved the pipes, even though I had never heard them in person. I attended the next practice and due to a lack of drummers was named the Sergeant Drummer. [by DSgt William Shupe, Cameron Highlanders of San Francisco ]

The Cameron Highlanders got going in the late 1950's or early 1960's under the leadership of Robert Cowan and "Dutch' Harrison who had played with the Caledonian Pipe Band and an ex-Canadian Airborne guy named Hugh Buie. They drilled superbly and had a great uniform (which members bought for themselves): Cameron of Erracht (79th) tartan, Dark blue or black "patrol" jackets (no lace, no decoration - just dark), dark hose tops, glens. Dark sporrans too as I recall. At some point the Ravens and this group more or less merged with the Camerons folding and some of them moving over. Terry McNitt, George Brooke, and Tom Hattam among these. [by Rick Coffee]

Photo courtesy of Chuck Jameson (Archivist of the Sacramento Caledonian Club and St. Andrews Society)

Back Row (Left to Right): Colin Gemmell, Tom Jones, PMaj Ruben Santos, Scott Ruscoe, Tom Wright, Jeff Cullen, Helen Niven Gladden, Ken Sutherland, PSgt Doug Chapin

Front Row (Left to Right): Mitch Norwick, Art Krapp, "Clutch" Sutton, Clint, DSgt Margaret Niven, John Biggar

Dress: Culloden tartan kilts (purple and saffron), white shirts (men), purple shirts (women), Brown leather vests, Culloden ties (pipers), purple velvet bowties (drummers)

The Irish Heritage Pipe band was founded in 1982 By W.J. Driscoll, John Mahoney, and Noreen Brosnan, former members of the Irish Pipers of San Francisco. The focus of the band was to train young pipers. Pipe Majors included Bill Driscoll, Mike LeBoeuf, and Jay Langlois.

The Irish Tradition Pipe Band was founded in 2000 by Pipe Major Bill Driscoll. Although band membership was not limited to those of Irish descent, the musical repertory, other than competition requirements, is almost entirely devoted to the traditional tunes of Ireland. [by Bill Driscoll]

The Irish Tradition Pipe Band at the San Francisco St. Patrick's Day Parade (2007)

The Band was formed as an employees activity with the Title Lockheed LERA Pipe Band. The band was one of many organizations at that time. The LERA meaning the Lockheed Employee Recreation Association (Ski club, Motorcycle club, etc., and each group filed monthly reports and financial records with the company. The major forces in the formation of the Pipe Band were a gentleman named Russ Scholl. I think a Chuck Banks was possibly the first Pipe Major. They eventually brought Calvin on Board under the Presidency of J. Stanley Patterson. Stan was also instrumental in the growth of the PCPBA and served as President for many years. He is now retired and lives in Carmel. We still remain in contact and see each other from time to time. [by Ozzie Reid]

Calvin Biggar served as Pipe Major until 1966. Thomas Kinnear was Pipe Major until 1967. Ozzie Reid was Pipe Major from 1967 to 1976. After 1976, due to an IRS ruling, the Lockheed Pipe Band disassociated itself from Lockheed and turned into the Dunvegan Pipe Band with Ozzie Reid as Pipe Major. [by Phil Lenihan]

Re: the picture of the three kilted characters....this was taken at Santa Rosa and I am in company of Stan Patterson who was the President of the band and later the guiding force for years of the fledgling PCPBA later renamed the WUSPBA. Calvin Biggar was the Pipe Major followed by Tom Kinnear and I came along in 1968. In the early sixties they had a Grade 1 and a Grade 2 band. John MacPhee headed the Grade 2 if I'm not mistaken. The drum corps at my ascension ( I came on board as instructor and kept my affiliations with the Scots alive for competition. I finally was convinced to take the reins and I've been holding on for grim death ever since): The lead stroke of that era was Bud Maxwell and he had quite a top notch corps which included John Biggar the second, Eddie Grant, and a slew of young teenagers; Mark Clark on Bass and Al (Clutch) Sutton and Al Cardenas on tenor. Gloria Cardenas came along later since there was an rule forbidding female members at that time. We took care to eliminate this with my rise to "power". The band was very active during the sixties and seventies with focus on Competition and show time. I developed a new pipe section with Stu MacAlpine as Pipe Sergeant. Students soon found their way into the competing band and the present band (Dunvegan Pipe Band) still has members from that influx of youth. [by Ozzie Reid]

Lockheed LERA Pipe Band (Approx . 1967) Front rank (left to right) PMaj Tom Kinnear, Unknown, Joe Roberts

Park Street Bridge was an off shoot of Culloden Mor with Helen Niven Gladden as Pipe Major and her husband Tim at lead stroke. They met in Alameda. A really good band remained basically unchanged: John Biggar, "Clutch" Sutton, Doug Chapin, Helen and Tim, Art Krapp, Ken Sutherland come to mind. [by Ozzie Reid]

Piedmont High School had a pipe band for years. It was going strong in the 1950's and produced some very good players: Vic Biswell, PMaj of the 6th Army Pipe Band for a couple of years and later the Caledonian Pipe Band; and Clayton Campbell who played tenor with the Irish Band and was one of the original founders of the Black Ravens (the meeting to organize the band was held in his living room.) [by Rick Coffee]

The Piedmont High School Pipe Band was headed by a gym teacher "Brick" Johnson. He was not a distinguished piper, but I do remember him as a terror of discipline whose favourite address to the youth always began with he phrase : "Welllllll Sonnnnny!!" In the background Brick was supported by two old Scots who hung out (worked) in the carpenters shop and did building maintenance: John Brown (Glasgow ) and Fred MacLellan from Loch Boisedale in So. Uist. Fred was from a long line of fine pipers and he and I spent a lot of time chatting about the history and the music especially the Gaelic influence. He had a great influence in my understanding and love of the music especially Gaelic Airs. The band was most limited and we in the 6th Army Pipe Band pitched in to swell the ranks for Friday night football games when we were in the Presidio and not travelling. That band did produce a few real names that are still remembered. Definitely Vic Biswell, taught by Fred MacLellan, who became Pipe Major of the 6th Army and later the Caledonian Club Pipe Band renamed the City of San Francisco. Curt Sisco who played with the City and still resides in LA, and Don Machen who suffered a rebirth in the late 70s at the Intermountain Piping School that I headed in Fort Collins Colorado. Don headed up a band in Albuquerque and is still active. Clayton Campbell was a tenor drummer with the City and became an August member of the Oakland Police Dept and still lives in the East Bay. [by Ozzie Reid]

Special Thanks to Phil Lenihan for supplying the below photo and providing background information

DMaj Bill Irwin David Laird Robert Witten Guy Bennett David Bennett Unknown Rich Peterson Callum Logan Archie Kelly Phil Lenihan Dan Dempsey PMaj John McPhee

Front Rank (L to R): Dick Boyd Phil Lenihan Guy Bennett PMaj John McPhee. In front: DMaj Russ Sholl

L to R: Dick Boyd Guy Bennett David More (back) Neil Serkland PMaj John McPhee David Maiche (bass)

Photo courtesy of Phil Lenihan
L to R: PMaj John McPhee Calum Logan Dick Boyd Phil Lenihan David More David More's daughter

Troop 90 Highlanders was sponsored by St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 420 29th Ave, San Francisco. In 1962 the band consisted of Robert Thompson (Drum Major), Francis Lee Fong, David Benjamin, Ed Lee Fong, Frank Gee, Mike Krisan, John Rodriguez, and George Mason. [SF Call]

Two more names I thought of but forgot to include re the Boy Scouts: Ed. Rodriguez, Scoutmaster, and father to all the kids. A truly great human who really cared about the kids, No player but gave of himself by the bucket load. He pronounced his name Rodregay. Reuben Santos who came out of the Scouts and then to Prince Charles and eventually Culloden Moor/Park Street Bridge/Alameda Co. Sheriffs. A nice player and a nicer chap. He lives and works in the So East US. [By Ozzie Reid]

SF Boy Scout Pipe Band (1936) Keith Martin SF Boy Scout Pipe Band (1936)

That's my dad Keith Martin with the drum. All I remember my dad telling me about playing with them is that the bass drummer could swing and lay-out anyone who ran up to look under their kilts! [by Charlie Martin]

Reprinted with permission from the SAN FRANCISCO HISTORY CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY

San Francisco Boy Scout Pipe Band (1962): "Troop 90 Highlanders, sponsored by St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 420 29th Ave., will lead a procession of Scouts into the church at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow as part of the Scout Sunday program. Preparing for the ceremony are (from left) leader Robert Thompson, Francis Lee Fong, David Benjamin, Ed Lee Fong, Frank Gee, Mike Krisan, John Rodriguez and George Mason." SAN FRANCISCO NEWS - CALL BULLETIN 06 Feb 1962