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National Cash Register P B
The National Cash Register Pipe Band on Parade at the
Braemar Highland Gathering around 1966
L to R: Pipe Major Stewart Salmond, Drum Major David Alexander, Harry Troup, ?, Bill Scott, Colin Stewart,
Claude Millar, Andy Adamson (Way at the back), Pipe Sergeant George Roger, Sandy Kemlo, Andy Watson,
Stewart Bowman, Peter "Rabbit"(Tenor Drummer)?, George Black jr.
1967
Saw great success for this Dundee Band when their
consistency brought them overall recognition.
On the left is Pipe Major George Roger holding the Champion of Champions Shield for Grade two.
In the centre is George Black senior holding Sir Harry Lauder Shield for 1st place at Cowal.
Perhaps someone out there can tell me what trophy Drum Major Andy Adamson is holding.
This part of the Champion of Champions Drum Corps from 1967
George Raitt, Leading Drummer Andy Adamson, Jim "The Bass" Taylor, Bruce Abbot, and George Black jr.
L to R
Pipe Major Stewart Salmond, Stewart Bowman, Henry Troup, Sandy Kemlo, Andy Watson, George Black jr., "That Man Bill again, Jim Taylor, Jim Stewart, Ronnie Hastie, Bruce Abbott, Colin Stewart, Thorfin Drever, George Roger, Jim McKelvie, Sandy Robertson jr., Drum Major Andy Adamson
(From Left) 1. D/M Andy Adamson 2. Bill? Tenor 3. Claude Miller 4. Sandy Robertson Jr.
5. P/M Stewart Salmond 6. Harry Troup 7. Colin Stewart 8. PSgt. George Roger 9. D/M David Alexander
The NCR Pipe Band came into being on 11th March, 1957, following a meeting held in the canteen of Block four. At this meeting, Jimmy McIntosh MBE., was appointed as their first Pipe Major and George Black was appointed as their first Drum Major/Leading Drummer. With a leadership like this, the band were sure to taste success and by the early 1970's they had been successful as far as Grade two by winning the major honours. They proudly wore the Red Robertson Tartan in the style you see above.
The Pipe Majors were:
1957-62 Jimmy McIntosh MBE.
1962-64 W. (Bill) Scott
1964-65 Harry Troup
1965-67 Stewart Salmond
1967-70 George Roger
1970 Stewart Salmond (interim)
1970-71 George Roger
1971-73 Sandy Robertson jr.
1973-75 Harry Troup
1975-77 John "Stewart" Bowman
The Leading drummers were well served by George Black sr, and Andy Adamson, both Drum Majors in their own right and respected R.S.P.B.A., adjudicators. These two were also well served by their pupil, George Black jr., who eventually took over as Leading Drummer and continued the success of the drum corps.
The band discipline was handled up front by Arthur Guthrie, who eventually emigrated to New Zealand. This was not before passing on his expertise to the young "Drummie" you see in the photo, David Alexander. I well remember seeing both of them on parade during the sixties. The final Drum Major was also no slouch. Malcolm Stewart was a member of the MacKenzie Caledonian Pipe Band where he was placed in the World Championships in 1966 in Inverness. Shortly after that, and by coincidence, he was employed by the NCR and Malcolm moved on amicably to first of all play the Bass before returning to his favoured Drum Major roll. Malcolm was equally at home with Bass, Tenor or Big Stick.
The NCR company suffered through "down-sizing" like many other companies, and the loss of key players meant that the band eventually folded.
In ten short years, this band had been started, tasted great success and declined to nothing once more. This does not seem much when said quickly, but during that time they made friends by playing at home and abroad, won many prizes and at the end of each season they donated the proceeds to various charities. Even today, bands in and around Dundee still boast having ex-members of the NCR.
We are still looking for the remaining and any backgrounds of these Pipers.
Can you tell us more?
