The RGS Pipes

A century ago, the RGS contingent of the Officer Training Corps (OTC) formed a pipe band. Although short-lived – the band marched its last in the 1940s – the pipes remain a unique part of RGS musical and co-curricular history. 

The half-long, or Border, pipes are a bellows-blown instrument, traditionally played throughout Northumberland and Scotland. Its greatest popularity was in the 18th  to mid-19th centuries, but the 1920s saw a revival of this traditional instrument, and the OTC marching band was ideal for a new cohort of pipers. 

The earliest known RGS student piper was Vivian Fairbairn (ON 1920-28), who played the pipes at the 1926 RGS prize-giving ceremony. He was also involved in the establishment of the Northumbrian Pipers’ Society in 1928, attending the first meeting and joining the first committee. 

Photograph of V Fairbairn in the RGS 1st XI Cricket Team, 1928. RGS Archives

The OTC soon recruited for the regular post of ‘Pipe-Major’, who led the pipers during performances. The band was popular throughout the 1930s, and continued until around 1943, during the period when the school was evacuated to Penrith in the Second World War. Student pipe-majors included: 

  • 1932 - Denis Michael Dunn (ON 1924-33)

  • 1933 - C Brennen (ON ?-1934)

  • 1934 - Andrew F Hutchison (ON 1927-34)

  • 1935 - Frank Hutchinson (ON 1931-34) 

  • 1937- James White Munby (ON 1928-38)

  • 1938 - James Eric Nisbet  (ON 1929-38)

  • 1939 - William Basil Clough (ON 1931-39)

  • 1940 - Eric Neilson Walker (ON 1932-41)

Photograph of the Junior Training Corps pipe band in Penrith, 1941. Headmaster ER Thomas is shown. RGS Archives [ref: ERT Papers 35]

Violin teacher Mr Johnson Hood (Staff 1935-70) helped teach the pipes to members of the band. He even composed a special regimental march for the OTC pipe band, in the 1940s. The other main tunes used for ceremonial occasions were: Cock o’ the North, Terebus, and Barren Rocks of Aden.

A set of pipes that was played in our OTC band is preserved in the RGS Archives. They were made by J Robertson of Edinburgh and were restored with the help of Chris Calver (ON 1960-71). 

RGS Northumbrian half-long pipes, c.1930s. RGS Archives

Photograph of the Junior Training Corps pipe band, labelled: 'Marching past Mrs Patterson playing "Cock o' the North"', 1940s. RGS Archives

Photograph of the Junior Training Corps pipe band, labelled: 'Setting off from the Methodist Hall', 1940s. RGS Archives

RGS Northumbrian half-long pipes, c.1930s. RGS Archives

Significantly, these pipes were used at Penrith; the names of a number of RGS students were carved or written inside the wooden box lid, some with dates, too.

The names are transcribed here (in bold): 

  • GF Milne Grant Fowler Milne (ON 1934-43)

  • AG Preston Alfred Glenton Preston (ON 1931-40)

  • HF Patterson Hugh Foggon Patterson (1924-99) (ON 1933-42)

  • DA Nisbet Denis Aydon Nisbet (ON 1929-39)

  • RP Smith “RP” may stand for Roderick Phillip Smith (ON 1937-44)

  • EN Walker Eric Neilson Walker (1921-2003) (ON 1932-41)

  • WB Clough William Basil Clough (1922-1990) (ON 1931-39). Clough continued playing the Northumbrian pipes professionally, recording 'Dreams of Northumbria' in 1970. He was Chair of the Northumbrian Pipers' Society Committee in 1951. 

It is a wonderful artefact, all the more special for knowing these individual students would have performed with these pipes well over 80 years ago.  

Photograph of EN Walker, RGS 1st XV Rugby Team, 1940-41. RGS Archives