The London Music Archives - 1973

THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT

The Royal Canadian Regiment

In days past, when science did not dominate the battlefield, drums, bagpipes and bugles played a vital role in combat. Although these instruments no longer signal commands or control the fire of thin red lines, music is still an important part of a soldier's life. Between the echoes of reveille and retreat in barracks, bugle and pipe calls sound meal times, position markers on the square and summon those designated for commendation or summary trial to the commanding officer.
The Royal Canadian Regiment has maintained a regimental band since 1900. The RCR Band is now located at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, New Brunswick. The bandsmen are highly accomplished professional musicians and several have earned degrees in music. In addition, the First Battalion of the regiment has a Corps of Drums and each of the other three battalions have Pipes and Drums. Many experienced pipers and drummers joined the armed forces with the express purpose of serving in battalion bands. In the battalions they are also fully qualified as infantrymen and in action serve as stretcher bearers.
The Regimental Band is one of the most travelled musical units in the Canadian armed forces. They appeared throughout Canada in 1967 with the Centennial Tattoo. Foreign appearances in recent years include visits to Cyprus, West Germany, Mons, Belgium and the Delft Tattoo in the Netherlands. In 1972 The RCR Band performed at rememberance services at the Canadian war memorial at Vimy Ridge during a six week tour of Western Europe.
This recording by The RCR Band and the Pipes and Drums of the Second Battalion features an unusual degree of musical compatibility for pipes, brass and woodwinds. A fluid approach is evident in all combined selections, revealing the depth of cooperation between the two bands.
Three original pipe tunes appear on side one. The first is by Pipe Major William Gilmour. The second was written by Pipe Corporal David McIntyre of the 2 RCR Pipes and Drums. The third is the composition of Pipe Major David Carrigan who was the last pipe major of the First Battalion of Canada's Black Watch.
Also presented on side one is a medley of marches popular at the turn of the century during the South African War. In these combined selections, modern shadings and harmony are demonstrated by the Regimental Band. These marches provide an interesting contrast to The Silver Coronets by Rex Mitchell, which is more modern in theme and reflects the current trend in military music.
Beethoven's Song of Joy opens side two. In this anthem of youth, Captain John Collins, in conjunction with Pipe Major William Gilmour and Warrant Officer John Montminy, have succeeded in applying a rock tempo to the combined bands. Song of Joy progresses from a traditional introduction to a contemporary beat to the blending of the combined bands.
Liverpool Lou, The Waters of Kylesko and Hills of Alva in a set are a skillful arrangement of central melody by the military band complimented by the melodic sounds of the pipes. This set is purely traditional in approach and format and offers a fitting contrast to the updated Song of Joy. The accomplished inter?weaving of the pipes and military band in the Hills of Alva portion of the set is particularly interesting.
Wolseley Slow March was composed by Master Warrant Officer Brian Gossip, a former member of the regiment. His work reflects the majesty of military music, yet he has retained the essential steady beat which pronounces the step on parade. The delicate passages in this selection make it a memorable portion of the recording.

The Royal Canadian Regiment is Canada's oldest regular infantry family. Originally titled, 'The Infantry School Corps' the regiment was raised at the height of Britain's imperial power. In recognition of distinguished service in the First World War, the regiment is entitled to wear the cyper of Queen Victoria on their cap insignia.
The regiment first saw active service during the North?West Rebellion in Canada in 1885. Later, during the Klondike gold rush, The RCR enforced law and order as the principle component of the Yukon Field Force. In 1899 a special service battalion was formed to take part in the South African War.
It was on the veldt contending with disease and an unconventional enemy that The RCR proved themselves to be the equal of the British regiments on which they were modelled. The emblazoned battle honour 'Paardeburg' recalls the frontal assaults on entrenched Boer positions and fetid climate in the regiment's first overseas campaign.
The RCR arrived in France in 1915 and served with the Canadian Corps. A member of the regiment was the first allied soldier to sign the Golden Book of Mons before dawn on November 11th, 1918. Before the war The Royal Canadians were the only regular infantry unit in the Canadian Army. In spite of the filth and carnage of the trenches, they proudly maintained their regular force customs. This earned them the derisive but envious nickname 'the shino boys' from other units in the 7th Brigade.
At the beginning of World War I I the regiment took part in an attempt to reinforce the BEF, landing at Brest. After this abortive operation followed years of preparation before joining the Eighth Army for the invasion of Sicily. The path up from the beaches at Pachino led them to battle in the Lit i Valley, at Ortona and against the Hitler Line. The RCR finished the war as a unit of the First Canadian Army in Northwest Europe, fighting their last major engagement at Apeldoorn, Holland.
Three battalions of the regiment served with the famed Commonwealth Division in Korea during the Korean War.
The traditions of The RCR are the traditions of the Canadian regular army. In today's unified Canadian forces The RCR remain exclusively soldiers and infantrymen. Operational duties since the Korean War include UN peace keeping around the world.
In training for war as part of a deterent force, keeping the peace abroad or reinforcing the law at home, a Royal Canadian of the 1970's must be capable of resourceful action and initiative. Self-reliance is stressed as much as discipline in training. The battalions have exercised in Jamaica, Alaska, Norway, Denmark and in all of Canada's provinces and territories, including the high Arctic. Members of the regiment have served on every continent of the globe in a variety of international duties and training with other armies. In addition, the regiment for many years contributed a battalion to Canada's NATO forces in West Germany.
1 RCR and the Fourth (Militia) Battalion occupy the regimental home station at Wolseley Barracks, London Ontario. The Second Battalion is stationed at Saint Andrew's Barracks, CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick. 3 RCR is located at CFB Petawawa, Ontario. The regiment is allied with The Gloucestershire Regiment and The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers of the British Army and the Jamaica Regiment of the Jamaica Defence Force- In 1973 the regiment will also become allied with The Royal Australian Regiment, formalizing an association which goes back to the Korean War.
The Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Canadian Regiment is Field Marshal, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT, GBE, CD. The Colonel of the Regiment is Major-General D.C. Spry, CBE, DSO, CD, wartime commander of the 12th Canadian Infantry Division.

In 1973 The Royal Canadian Regiment will celebrate its 90th year of service. The Third Battalion will receive its first stand of colours as a regular force unit from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in ceremonies at Ottawa. The regiment will also be honoured with the Freedom of the City of Fredericton, New Brunswick, one of the founding garrisons of The RCR.
The Freedom of the City of Fredericton has a special significance for the regiment. The old stone British barracks in this city, which The RCR left for the last time in 1914, have been preserved. A distinguished resident of Frederiction, The Honourable Milton F. Gregg, VC, CBE, MC, ED, won the Commonwealth's highest decoration for valour while serving as a subaltern with the regiment during the First World War. After an absence of over fifty years, The RCR returned to New Brunswick as part of the garrison of CFB Gagetown near the provincial capital, and historic ties have been renewed.

CREDITS
The Military Band of The Royal Canadian Regiment Director of Music: Captain J.D. Collins, CD, LRAM
The Pipes and Drums of The Second Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment Pipe Major: IW.J. Gilmour, CD