Pipe Band

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Forest Legion Pipe Band History (1959-2023)

In 1959, Forest celebrated their first of three centennials, the 1st, marking the establishment of the Grand Trunk Railroad through Forest. Predictably, there was a large parade to mark the occasion, and the Glencoe Pipe Band was a featured band in the parade. It was at that point that Bruce Siddall vowed that it was time that Forest also had a pipe band. In the fall of 1959, a few naïve and very enthusiastic candidates made the weekly trek to West Lorne to take pipe chanter lessons from Duncan McGregor, West Lorne, the young pipe major of the Glencoe Pipe Band. The Remembrance Day parades in November, 1960 marked the first performance of the band. Dressed in 2nd World War battle dress tunics dyed black, grey flannel trousers, and glengarry hats, we played two tunes, “Barren Rocks of Aden” and “Highland Laddie,” both very badly! The following year, the MacLachlan tartan was adopted by the band. From these humble beginnings, the band grew, prospered, and played with distinction in parades, both in Canada and the USA. Over the years, in addition to those members of the band who played in solo competitions, the Forest Legion Pipe Band has also won honors in quartet and band events. Beginning in 1969, and for many years after, the pipe band held annual “Highland Nights at the Legion to correspond with the birthdate of Robbie Burns. The band performed at these dances, and they were an unqualified success. Bass drummer (and drum major) Jim Stennett and many others played a key role in organizing and promoting this event.

There have been a number of instructors and pipe majors to provide the necessary instruction and leadership for the band. Piping instructors have included Duncan McGregor, Sgt Trev Paquin, RCR, Don Jackson, Bill Miller and Gord Holmes. Pipe Majors for the Band over the years have included Bruce Siddall (our first), Gordon Holmes, Terry Siddall, Bill Jay, John Siddall, Elizabeth Thompson, Tom Robinson, Don McKellar, and Wayne Fisher.  Drumming instructors have included Jack Dudman, Joe Scott, and Sharron Robinson.

Former Drum Majors include Jim Stennett, Aubrey Butler, and Allistair Thompson. During the past 60 plus years, the Royal Canadian Legion, Forest Branch 176, has provided unwavering support for the Band. The Branch has provided a band room in addition to moral support and financial assistance. The World War veterans have played an important role in the success of the Pipe Band. On our first Remembrance Day parades in 1960, several veterans of the 1st WW and many 2nd WW veterans were on that parade. Veterans of the 2ndWW who have played in the band include Bruce Siddall, Gord Holmes, Howard Prout, Alec Brandon, Lloyde Weatherald, Dr. Don Elliott and Charley Humphrey. In 1984, members of the Forest Legion Pipe Band joined the Massed Ontario Legion Pipe Band to perform in cities in Scotland, and in 1987, to parade in several cities in the Netherlands, France, and Germany. Band and Legion members also visited military cemeteries to honor Canada’s fallen in the Netherlands in the 2ndWW (Groesbeek) and France (Beny-sur- Mer and Bretteville- sur- Laize.).   

Dean Percy and Terry Siddall 2023