59th Highlanders
From Glengarryceltic
The Alexandria Company of the 59th regiment was under the command of Colonel A.G.F MacDonald. In 1904, the dress for the pipe band was authorized. They wore Clan Ranald kilts with white shell jackets, and Glengarry caps. That same year, the band played for King Edward in Kingston.
In 1910, the members of the band were Pipe Major Johnny Alex Stewart, Murdoch John MacRae, "Little" Donald Stewart, "Red" Alex Stewart, and Donald John Stewart, all of Stewart's Glen; Pipe Sargent Jimmy John R. McNaughton of Notfield; Angus Katie McDonald of Alexandria and Alex MacRae of Maxville. The drummers were Tommy Gamble, Bob Taylor and Bill Hunter, all of Montreal. The band only played six tunes: Highland Laddie, Cock of the North, Barren Rocks of Aden, Donald Coming Home from the War, Lord Lovat's Lament and the Glengarry Highlanders. They played at Petawawa army camp for two weeks, and, on their return, played at the last fair held in Cornwall. In October of that year, they played for Sir Wilfred Laurier in Alexandria. Alex MacRae recalls this event accurately as the first time he ever rode in an automobile. The band also spent a week playing for Sir Harry Lauder in Cornwall, Montreal, Vankleek Hill, and Ottawa. The money they earned went towards outfitting the band.
Summer camp in 1911 and 1912 was held in Barryfield near Kingston under Colonel A.G.F MacDonald and Captain Gillis. The number of pipers had increased, and new members included Angus Cameron, Donald Chisholm, Duncan MacKinnon, Johnny Hughie MacDonald and Donald W. MacLeod. The drum corps had added Bill Campbell, Bill Sawyers and Alex Gardiner from the 5th Royal Highlanders in Montreal. After camp was over, the band played for lawn socials, Old Boys' reunions, an Orange Walk at Lost River Quebec, and Fall fairs at Crysler, Vankleek Hill, Avonmore, Maxville and Williamstown.
Pipe Major Johnny Alex Stewart's favourite tune and the most frequently played by the band was Cock of the North. As a signal to play it, he would turn to the band members and yell "the bird". This was very confusing for new members, who had to wait until the rest of the band played to find out what "the bird" meant!
In 1913, the camp was situated in Pembroke, and in 1914, the band spent their time playing to recruit soldiers. They played for four months in the hall in Maxville. Donald John Kippen, a piper from Maxville, and his brother Stanley, who played the drum, were very active recruiting in Maxville throughout the War Years.
In 1915, the band was disbanded, although some members became part of the 154th regiment in Cornwall.
