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Bullionfield Papermill Pipe Band
Bullionfield Paper Mill Pipe Band (Invergowrie)
(Uniform was Green Tunics and Ancient McIntyre tartan)
Here we have a 1954 picture sent to me from Bert Thomson a past
member of the band who later went on to be a founder member
of the San Fransisco Pipe Band
(In his own words)
This is the Bullionfield band of ca. 1954. At the time it was a
Grade 3 band, and had considerable successes, winning many contests,
including the World's Championship Grade 3.
The following year, as I recall, they were promoted to Grade 2,
and that was about the time I left to emigrate to the U.S.A.
The only personnel I can identify are kneeling front, Drum Corporal
Bert Thompson (left) and Norman McBean (right). Middle row sitting
center behind the bass drum, A. K. Wright, the Bullionfield Paper
Mill owner (the mill sponsored the band). To the left of him is Pipe Major
Alec Herd, and next to him is his brother (name escapes me), also a piper.
Also in the second row next to the bass drummer (whose name also escapes me)
is Drum Sergeant George Black (previously with the City of Dundee Pipe Band).
I can't identify any of the others by name.
Perhaps I can add - standing third from the left is Albert Bowman, who later became
Dundee City Registrar and also continued his Piping with Dundee City Police.
Below we have more from Bert Thomson
This was the band returning from a contest in Dundalk, Ireland,
where they won the shield for first place. I believe the contest
was called An Tostal over there. It had to be ca. 1954.
Personnel: front row kneeling from left -
Drum Sergeant George Black, tenor drummer Norman McBean, Drum Corporal Bert Thompson, Andy Adamson, Pipe Major Alec Herd. I think the piper standing right behind Alec Herd is his brother. The piper looking over the left shoulder of the bass drummer is Stewart Bowman followed by Alf Smith.
(Standing fourth from the left is Albert Bowman)
A trio from the Bullionfield Pipe Band, ca. 1954.
Left to right: piper Stewart Bowman, snare drummer Bert Thompson, tenor drummer Norman McBean. Stewart and I were also members together of the 47th Dundee B.B. pipe band.
1966 at Forfar Mini-Bands
(From Left) Bob Mathews; Alex "Midnight Cowboy" Pattie; Angus Milton, Paul; Kenny Melville;
Jackie Lockhart; Roderick Chisholm, Ronald Hastie; Ronnie Paul.
We are still looking for the remaining few names and any backgrounds of these Pipers.
Can you tell us more?
A Pipe Band Wedding
(From Left) Pipe Major Alex "Eck" Herd ; Best Man ? ; Alfie Smith ; Bride ? ; Matron on Honour ? ; William Smith
This Photograph was taken prior to 1963 when it was not uncommon for Band members to marry in uniform. This photograph shows drummer Alfie Smith (Groom) being piped out of Lochee West Parish Church, Dundee, by the Bullionfield's Pipe Major on the left, and his brother,William Smith, on the right.
(Note: William Smith's son, Richard, is one of the founding member of the Practical Pipers and is Pipe Major of the Mains of Fintry Pipe Band in Dundee.)
Can you tell us more?
Bullionfield Paper Mill Pipe Band
Young Drummers of 63/64
(From Left) Ronald Hastie; David Steven; Grant Webster ; Roddie Chisholm; Angus Bell
We are still looking for the remaining and any backgrounds of these Pipers.
Can you tell us more?
