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Former Drum Majors of The
Calgary Highlanders
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Warrant Officer Kent J.
Griffiths, CD
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A complete bio of Kent Griffiths is included
on the RSMs page; after serving with the Colour Party, Griffiths was attached to the Pipes
and Drums despite having no experience as a member of the pipe band. His knowledge
of drill, discipline, dress and deportment served him well in his new position and he
managed to set new high standards for himself and for the entire Pipes and Drums -
evidenced by his win in 1996 of the Drum Major's Competition at the Canmore Highland
Games. Griffiths led the band on many out of country excursions; to Colorado and
later to The Netherlands in 1994 and 1995.
As Drum Major, Griffiths was
keen on educating Calgary Highlanders about their regimental traditions, and ensuring
their perpetuation. He often led the unit in a rousing rendition of
"Glenwhorple" during the open messes that followed regimental parades, and, as
shown at right, always led the Regiment's war cry whenever the Pipes and Drums broke into
"The Black Bear." |
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Warrant Officer Brian S.
King, CD Brian Stanley
King was born in 1954 in Calgary; he joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadets in 1967 before
transferring to 2509 Royal Canadian Signals Cadet Corps. In January 1970 he joined
the Calgary Highlanders and trained as an infantryman and as a piper. In 1971 he was
promoted corporal and appointed section commander, and in 1973 Corporal King served with 3
Mechanized Commando in Baden-Solingen, West Germany, for four months of NATO exercises.
In 1973, Corporal King joined the Lord
Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) - a regular force armoured regiment - and returned to
the Highlanders after two years. Promotion came in 1977; and in 1981 Sergeant King
served on a United Nations observer mission in the Golan Heights. Promotion to
Warrant Officer followed in 1985, along with the appointment of Pipe Sergeant. In
1989 he completed the Drum Major's Course at the Canadian Forces School of Music and was
appointed Drum Major of the Calgary Highlanders. |
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In 1990, six Calgary Highlanders musicians
went to the United Kingdom to train with the Scottish Division of the British Army for
four weeks, the culmination of which was three days of performances as part of the Beating
of Retreat by the Massed Pipes, Drums and Military Bands of the Scottish Division (and
affiliate Commonwealth regiments) on Horse Guards Parade, London, the final show being
performed for the Royal Family. Drum Major King took his place at the head of the
Massed Pipes and Drums as one of the Canadian Contingent's Drum Majors. On return to
Canada, the Drum Major led the Pipes and Drums on parade during the Presentation of
Queen's Colour ceremony at McMahon Stadium.
Commissioned as an officer in 1995, Lieutenant King served for
several years as the Curator of the Regimental Museum, and moved on to a position with 41
Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters. |
King as the senior NCO of the Calgary
Highlanders contingent serving with the Scottish Division in the United Kingdom, 1990
Pictured from left to right - Cpl M Dorosh, Drum Major Brian King,
MCpl K McFarquhar, Pte W Kelso, MCpl D Hamilton, Cpl L Martens
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Corporal Robert J. Cater During the Nova Scotia International Tattoo in 1989,
Robert (Rob) Cater performed the duties of Drum Major of the Calgary Highlanders though he
was never officially appointed to that position. Cater had started his musical
career as one of the initial wave of recruits to the newly re-activated 2137 (Calgary
Highlanders) Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps pipe band. After several years as a
bass drummer in the Regimental Pipes and Drums, Cater left the military and pursued a
career with Corrections Canada, following in the footsteps of his father, Walter Cater.
Both Walter Cater, and Rob's sister Carol, held positions with the 2137 Cadet Corps
at various times. |
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Master Corporal John
Levitt |
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Sergeant Pat Gibson |
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Sergeant William Donovan
1983-1984A
complete biography of Drum Major Donovan can be found on the RSM page.
At left, a photo of Drum Major Donovan
receiving the Canadian Forces Decoration for 12 years service in 1983-84. Next to
Drum Major Donovan is Master Warrant Officer Joe Doucet, who enlisted originally into the
Victoria Rifles before their disbandment in 1965. MWO Doucet later served in the
Calgary Highlanders until his retirement in the 1990s. Presenting the awards is
Major Glaser, formally of the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. Drum Major Donovan
originally enlisted in the Brockville Rifles, in 1971. It is worthy of note that the
Calgary Highlanders regiment was originally conceived as a Rifle Regiment in 1910 and did
not become a Highland Regiment until after 1921. |
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Sergeant Jim Vick
???? - 1983Sergeant
Jim Vick was the last serving member of the Calgary Highlanders to have served in the
Canadian Army in the Second World War. |
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Tony Northan 1980 |
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Sergeant Kerr
1971 |
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Bill Murray
195? |
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