Home About Donate Hire Join Performances Photos Roster Yore Mailing Links  
 

 

Northern California Pipe Bands

That have faded into history

 
6th Army Pipe Band 360th Rgt. 91st Div. USAR Pipe Band    new All Ireland Pipe Band of San Francisco
Awful Fresh MacFarlane Candy And Nuts Pipe Band Berkeley Post 113 Canadian Legion Pipe Band Black Raven Pipe Band
Blue Bonnets Pipe Band Caledonian Pipe Band Cameron Highlanders of San Francisco
Cameron Pipe Band of Sacramento   new   Campbell Pipe Band
Culloden Moor Pipe Band General Dynamics Pipe Band Glenfinnan Pipe Band
Irish Heritage Pipe Band Irish Tradition Pipe Band Kennedy Pipe Band
Lockheed Pipe Band Park Street Bridge Piedmont High School Pipe Band
Royal Canadian Legion Pipe Band - San Jose San Francisco Boy Scout Pipe Band San Francisco Police Pipe Band
Sonoma Co. Sheriff's Dept. Bagpipe Band Wallace Guard  

 

 

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

polson8568@aol.com

 


 

6th Army Pipe Band

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]

  • Pipe Majors:  1953 Sgt William E. Allen, 1956 PFC Victor A. Biswell, 1957 SP3 Victor A. Biswell

  • Drum Majors:  1953 Cpl Daniel P. Healy, 1953 - 1956 Sgt Richard K. Kirkland, 1957 Sgt Alvin Pierce

  • Drum Sergeant: 1957 SP3 William McErlean

 

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 Pipe Band (1957)  SAN FRANCISCO NEWS - CALL BULLETIN, 15 Jan 1957

 

Photo courtesy of Ozzie Reid

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)

 


360th Regiment, 91st Division (USAR) Pipe Band (Sacramento)

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)

 

360th Regiment, 91st Division (USAR) Pipe Band (Sacramento) (1965)

 

 


 

All-Ireland Pipe Band of San Francisco

 

Photo courtesy of Charlie Martin

Front Row (Left to Right):  Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, John Mahoney (Bass)

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

 

All Ireland Pipe Band of San Francisco (1989)

 

 


 

 

Awful Fresh MacFarlane Candy and Nuts Pipe Band

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]

 

Photo courtesy of Ozzie Reid

Awful Fresh MacFarlane Candy and Nuts Pipe Band

 

Photo courtesy of 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

 

Awful Fresh MacFarlane Candy and Nuts Pipe Band

 


 

 

Berkeley Post No. 113 Canadian Legion Pipe Band

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]

 

Photo courtesy of Rick Coffee

Phelan                Stewart                  Boyd

Schwan                   Short                 McPherson                          Fiddes

 

Berkeley Post No. 113 Canadian Legion Pipe Band (1950).  Antioch Fair Parade

 

 

Photo courtesy of Rick Coffee

Short          McPherson           Schwan          Fiddes         Stewart

Coffee        Unknown        Boyd

Berkeley Post No. 113 Canadian Legion Pipe Band (1951)

 

 


 

The Black Raven Pipe Band of San Francisco

 

Photo courtesy of Rick Coffee

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

Unknown      Eddie Hughes      Jim McElroy       Herb Dedo     Terry MacNitt

                                                                                Bus Driver        Bud MacFadden

Unknown    Unknown     Bill Cathro    Dave Maish    Bill Weber    John Murrey (Band Manager)                                                        

 

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)]

 

(Geo. Brooke Photo)

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)

 

Geo. Brooke Photo

The Black Raven Pipe Band (1969),  DSgt Rick Coffee

 

Photo courtesy of Ken Snodgrass

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

 

Photo courtesy of Ken Snodgrass

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

 

Photo courtesy of Ken Snodgrass

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

 

Photo courtesy of Ken Snodgrass

The Black Raven Pipe Band (1979) Santa Rosa Games

 

Photo courtesy of Carol Sawyer and Charlie Martin

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

Back:      DSgt Dave Pollack       Darleen Flynn      Dick Lechnar       Susan Wyatt       Cheryll 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]

 

Photo courtesy of Charlie Martin

 

Black Raven Pipe Band (1982)

 


 

The Caledonian Pipe Band

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

 

Photo courtesy of Rick Coffee

 

Jack Sutherland     Jerry Blackstock     Rick Coffee    Roger Peterson     Herb Briggs

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

Don Fiddes     Jack MacKenzie     Calvin Biggar     Tommy Gordon     Ian Campbell     Ian Begg

 

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)

 

(The Associates, Commercial Photography, SF, CA)

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

Jack Sutherland     Rick Coffee     George McKay     Herb Briggs     Jack Murphy

 

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.

 

 

(Orie Damewood Photograghy, SF, CA)

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.

 

Photo courtesy of Rick Coffee

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

Willie McEarlan     Jack Sutherland     George McKay      Rick Coffee     Bert Thompson

 

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]

 

Photo courtesy of Ozzie Reid

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

 

Caledonian Pipe Band

 

Photo courtesy of Ozzie Reid

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

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]

 

 

Cameron Pipe Band of Sacramento

1960s to 1980s

 

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

 

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

 

 


Culloden Moor Pipe Band

 

Photo Courtesy of Jeff Cullen

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

Culloden Moor Pipe Band (Circa 1979, Santa Rosa Scottish Games). 

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

 


 

Irish Heritage Pipe Band

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.

Photo Courtesy of Mike LeBoeuf

Irish Heritage Pipe Band at the Dunsmuir Games 2002

 

Photo Courtesy of Mike LeBoeuf

Irish Heritage Pipe Band at the Dunsmuir Games 2002

 

Photo Courtesy of Mike LeBoeuf

Irish Heritage Pipe Band at the Sacramento Valley (Woodland) Games 2003

 


 

Irish Tradition Pipe Band

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]

 

Photo courtesy of Bill Driscoll

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

 

Photo courtesy of Bill Driscoll

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

 

 

 


 

Lockheed LERA Pipe Band

1960 - 1976

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]

 

 

Photo courtesy of Phil Lenihan

Lockheed LERA Pipe Band (Approx. 1970)

 

                                                                                                                           Photo courtesy of Phil Lenihan                                                                                                    Document courtesy of Phil Lenihan

                                                        PMaj Ozzie Reid on left, and Stan Patterson on right

 

Photo courtesy of Mike Holubar

 

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

 

 

 


 

Park Street Bridge Pipe Band

 

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 Pipe Band

 

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]

 


 

 

Royal Canadian Legion Pipe Band - San Jose

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

Photo courtesy of Phil Lenihan

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

Dave Maich   Tony Fuentes   Unknown   James Brown

Royal Canadian Legion (1972 approx.)

 

 

Photo courtesy of Phil Lenihan

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

Royal Canadian Legion (1970 approx.)  Shopping Center

 

 

Photo courtesy of Phil Lenihan

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

Royal Canadian Legion (1970 approx.)  Shopping Center

 

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

Royal Canadian Legion (1971 approx.)  Northwest YMCA, Cupertino, CA

 


 

San Francisco Boy Scout Pipe Band

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]

 

 

                                  

                                       Photo courtesy of Charlie Martin                                                                                                                      Photo courtesy of Charlie Martin

            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

 

 

Photo courtesy of Ken Snodgrass

SF Boy Scout Pipe Band (1971)

 

Photo courtesy of Ken Snodgrass

SF Boy Scout Pipe Band (1971)

Photo courtesy of Ken Snodgrass

SF Boy Scout Pipe Band (1971)

 

Photo courtesy of Ken Snodgrass

SF Boy Scout Pipe Band (1971)

Photo courtesy of Ken Snodgrass

SF Boy Scout Pipe Band (1971)

 

Photo courtesy of Ken Snodgrass

SF Boy Scout Pipe Band (1971)

Photo courtesy of Ken Snodgrass

SF Boy Scout Pipe Band (1971)

 

 

Photo courtesy of Brian Molver

Left to Right: unknown,  Stuart Molver (bass), Charlie Martin, Chris Paterno, Brian Molver

St Peter's Pipers (1978) at Westmoor High School, Daly City

 

Photo courtesy of Charlie Martin

SF Boy Scout Pipe Band (1978) St. Martin's Church, Daly City

 

 


 

San Francisco Police Pipe Band

 The SF Police Pipe Band was comprised of all duty policeman.  I gave them a hand teaching.  John Patterson and I gave up their Saturday mornings to work with the band at the Gun Range on  Lake Merced.  They got to the point of being a decent parade band with George Effisimo in Pipe Major slot.  Others that come to mind were Jack Jordan (Brother of Chief Frank), Jerry D'Arcy, the Grey Brothers Jim and Larry, Cliff Watts  and Bob Hankins.  Bob was quite a good piper and married the daughter of Pipe Major Donald Shaw Ramsay (Morag).  The kilts were purchased through Donald and the Prince Charles Edward Stuart tartan was selected to emulate the Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band (now Lothian and Borders).  The band unfortunately was doomed due to their penchant for politics and their desire to use the band as a wedge for "practice " time and time off for events!! Fun years but fraught with ultimate chaos. [by Ozzie Reid]

Photo courtesy of Officer Larry Chan

 

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

San Francisco Police Pipe Band (09 Mar 1962)

 

 

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

San Francisco Police Pipe Band (21 Dec 1963)

 

 

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

San Francisco Police Pipe Band (05 May 1964)

 


 

Sonoma County Sheriff's Department Bagpipe Band

 

 The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department Bagpipe Band was created around 1970.  The idea for the band started with a conversation between Sergeant John Young, Sergeant Fred Baird, and Dispatcher Bill Heath.  After the initial conversation, they contacted members of the Bluebonnets (a local pipe band made up of private citizens) to discuss merging their band with a new Sheriff’s Department band.  Forces were joined and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department Bagpipe Band was born.  Civilian band members were sworn in as special deputies.  The band uniform consisted of a Sheriff’s Department uniform shirt and badge, a bonnet and kilt.  The band played at ceremonial functions, department funerals, and marched in many parades.  The band was in existence for over 20 years. [by www.sonomasheriff.org]

 


Wallace Guard

The Wallace Guard was the pipe band lead by Pipe Major Dick Boyd. 

 

Photo courtesy of Rob Boyd

Pipe Major Dick Boyd

(photo was taken while Dick was in Dunvegan Pipe Band)

 

NOTE:  Historical research reveals that, prior to the recent pipe band, the Wallace Guard, Second Brigade was a California State Militia mustered 28 July 1855 and disbanded on or before 1860.  The unit was known for its Highland dress and the providing of elaborate entertainment at social functions and the staging of a grand ball at the International Hotel.  On 3 June 1856, the Wallace Guard and other State Militia units refused to take arms and fire upon the citizens of San Francisco by a proclamation by Governor Johnson.  Johnson declared that a state of insurrection existed in San Francisco and that all companies report to MGen William T Sherman.  The unit temporarily disbanded as a result.  The unit also took part in the Atlantic Cable laying ceremony in September 1858

 


 

Dunsmuir Games Massed Band (1984)

 

Photo courtesy of Charlie Martin

Left to Right:  St. Andrews Pipe Band of Modesto (PMaj Scott Campbell), Wallace Guard (PMaj Dick Boyd), Santa Rosa Pipe Band (John Creager), All Ireland Pipe Band (PMaj Bill Driscoll, PSgt Ian Campbell), Dunvegan Pipe Band (Rob Boyd, Half of PMaj Ozzie Reid)

 

 

 

 

LOST AND/OR FORGOTTEN BAY AREA BANDS

 

1Glenfinnan Pipe Band

2)  Blue Bonnets

3)  Campbell Pipe Band

4)  General Dynamics Pipe Band

5)  Kennedy Pipe Band

 

 

 

MORE TO COME!!

 

 

Updated by Paul Olson 20 Jul 2010