The World War Era

Service, Sacrifice & a Band Put on Hold

When the First World War progressed in 1915, members of the Caledonian answered the call to service. Members enlisted with several units, including the 26th Battalion, the MacLean Highlanders, and the Canadian Black Watch.

So many members left for active service that the band was unable to continue operating and entered a hiatus for the remainder of the war.

But the Caledonian story was far from over.

In 1919, the band reorganized in time to perform at the reception of H.R.H. Prince Edward, then Prince of Wales.

In 1922, the band accepted an invitation to affiliate with the newly formed 7th Machine Gun Battalion at the Saint John Armoury. Two years later, another important chapter began when the band became affiliated with the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (R.C.N.V.R.).

Although the Navy was not authorized at the time to carry bands, the Caledonian learned naval drills and commands and participated in naval parades, inspections, ceremonies, concerts, and the welcoming of visiting ships.

The Pipe Major even arranged the Royal Canadian Navy’s Heart of Oak March Past for the band.

Among the notable occasions during this era were the 1939 visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth and the 1951 visit of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.

A Unique Place in Naval History

With the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, members once again left to serve in the Navy and Army.

In 1941, band members joined the R.C.N.V.R., while the band continued participating in many parades in Highland uniform. By this time, Royal Stewart and Black Watch tartans, obtained in 1936, had become part of the band's story.

Then came one of the most extraordinary chapters in Caledonian history.

In the fall of 1943, the Honourable Angus L. MacDonald, Minister of National Defence for Naval Services, authorized the R.C.N.V.R. Pipe Band at HMCS Brunswicker in Saint John to be placed on active service strength.

The band was assigned to serve HMCS Brunswicker and HMCS Captor II in Saint John. The Highland uniforms were temporarily put away in favour of naval uniforms, although members continued playing their own pipes and drums.

In doing so, the band became the only full Naval Pipe Band in the British Commonwealth.

At the conclusion of the war, its members were discharged from active service on July 16, 1945.