HISTORY
of the
Pipes and Drums.
The Second Battalion the Royal Canadian Regiment Pipes and Drums (2RCR P&D) were formed on 01 July 1970. When the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Black Watch, Royal Highland Regiment of Canada were reduced to Nil strength, as part of the Land Force Restructure. Today the Black Watch, RHR (Royal Highland Regiment) exist as a Militia unit. The Soldiers of 2RHR rebaged and formed 2RCR. The Black Watch Pipe band was given to 2RCR in trust, changing from the Royal Stewart to the Maple Leaf tartan. A few Black Watch traditions remain with the band to this day. The Second Battalion is now located at Gregg Barracks, Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in New Brunswick. Since that time the Pipes and Drums have maintained a very high professional standard, proving to be very popular with soldiers and civilians alike. The Pipes and Drums have represented the Battalion, the Regiment, the Canadian Forces and the Country performing in many parts of the British Isles, Continental Europe, and North America. Since 1983 members of the Pipes and Drums have incorporated Highland dancing into performances. When military duty allows the band will take to the competition field, in 1990 2RCR P&D won the Nova Scotia Pipe Band Championship and went on to win the North American Pipe Band Championships.
The Pipeband is funded and maintained by the Second Battalion, all members of the band are regular force soldiers who volunteer from within the Battalion. P&D platoon is made up of approximately 30 soldiers located within Lima Company. 2RCR Pipes and Drums represents the Canadian Forces only remaining regular force Pipeband with a Regimental affiliation. Many former members of the band go on to become Canadian Forces Pipe Majors.
The primary duty of the Pipes and Drums takes place at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, supporting the Battalion in various mess functions and parades throughout the year. The band has proudly served the Second Battalion and the Canadian Forces with distinction and will continue to do so into the 21st century.
Pro Patria !
Description of BadgeThe outline of the cap badge is the eight pointed star of the order of the Garter. The letters VRI are in relief on a pebbled ground with a raised border. The VRI stands for "Victoria Regina Imperatrix" which is Latin for "Victoria Queen Empress". The badge is enclosed by a belt and buckle enscribed with "The Royal Canadian Regiment". When a Royal or Imperial Cypher forms part of a Regiments badge, it is customary to change with each Monarch. However, in 1919 King George V granted permission for the Regiment to wear in perpetuity the VRI on badges and buttons for all time in memory of Queen Victoria, as well as to honour the Regiments gallent performance during World War I. The Regiment is the only unit in the Canadian Armed Forces which is permitted to wear a deceased Monarch's Cypher.
THE MAPLE LEAF TARTAN
The maple Leaf Tartan has been approved for issue by National Defence Headquarters for Canadian Forces pipers and drummers not having a specific regimental affiliation.
The Regimental Executive Committee, Royal Canadian Regiment chose to adopt the Maple Leaf tartan for use by Pipers and Drummers of the Royal Canadian Regiment and has been worn by Pipers and Drummers of the 2nd, 3rd,and 4th Battalions.
the Maple Leaf Tartan.
The significance of the Maple Leaf Tartan
"The Maple Leaf is indigenous to the Dominion of Canada and is the recognized symbol of Canada throughout the world. The tartan captures the natural phenomenon of the changes in colour throughout the year of the Maple Leaf. The green is the early colour of the foliage. The gold appears at the turn of the autumn. The red shows up with the coming of the frost. The brown alludes to the leaf at the end of its life cycle".
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