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City of Dundee Prize P B

The details for this Band were quite stationary for some time until I was contacted by the Grandson of Alexander Chalmers. This information has been greatly updated and photos added.

The City of Dundee Prize Pipe Band was formed in 1919 by Alexander "Sandy" Small Chalmers returning service with the meant coming from World War One with the Black Watch. The other founder was Willie Rodger Salmond, who became their first Pipe Major

1919 William Rodger Salmond

1925? Alexander Small Chalmers (Pipe Major for 25 years)

1950? Alexander Sandy Robertson

Late 1950's and early 1960's James McIntosh

1960's Jackie Miller

Our first photograph is of "Sandy" Chalmers aged 28 in what is thought to be

the original uniform of The City of Dundee Prize Pipe Band. This uniform was bought

second hand from the Gordon Highlander. Very close scrutiny reveals that the tartan is

the (army) Gordon Highlanders and even the Cross Belt still has the "Gordons" crest on it.

Originally a member of the Caledonian Pipe Band before World War 1, Sandy formed this

band in 1920 out of the remnants of "The Dundee Pipe Band" and Willie Rodger Salmond was the first Pipe Major owing to his vast experience. Once things were up and running, Sandy himself took over the reins.

With five years of hard work, it was decided that the band was good enough for a public performance and they competed, unsuccessfully, at Comrie Games. This turned out to be the start of a very successful lifespan, and the band went on to win a number of honours, and even managed to win the Dundee City Police Sports Cup on three successive years. Sandy got to keep it. The Police sports was a very highly thought of event, and had bands from all over the country competing for the title, with names including the Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh Police Bands, The McLean (Glasgow) and Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia.

To win this was indeed a feather in their caps.............But three in a row?

I personally remember in the 1980's being presented with the Braemar shield and was amazed to see how many times this band appeared on it in the 1930's.

Between 1935 &1939, the City band changed their tartan to the Red Wallace with the purchase of their new uniform. Sandy Chalmers was quite a patriotic man, and a great admirer of William Wallace, hence the choice of tartan. The cost of the new uniform, according to a news paper cutting, was £268.

Their highly successful period seemed to be over and superstition suggested that the change of tartan was unlucky.

I tend to think that the highly skilled army pipers of the First War were beginning to thin out and the reconstruction of the Pipe Band world was oncoming with the formation of the SPBA. Perhaps the power base of Piping even then was moving west to Glasgow. Sounds familiar?

The second photograph shows the 2nd Battalion, City of Dundee Home Guard Pipe Band in City Square, Dundee, around 1945. In the main, this was the "City of Dundee" band but the Battalion included members from other local Bands.

They are by now wearing their Wallace Tartan kilts together with their Battledress Blouses.

Sandy Chalmers is in Pipe Majors position on the left of the front row, while Angus MacLeod is in the

centre of the front row and Sandy Robertson senior is on the far right.

(Sorry about the photo quality, but it's all we have.)

At the end of the second world war, the band uniform reverted to Wallace tartan,

worn with a Prince Charlie style jacket and waistcoat, short plaid, Balmoral and buckled shoes.

This is shown in our last photograph of Sandy Chalmers.

The sporran in that photograph doesn't fit in, but the photo was taken on his retiral as Pipe Major and he may have worn his own for the occasion.

In all honesty, it has to be noticed that Sandy Chalmers was one of a rare breed of pipers. He was taught as a child, joined the local Caledonian band, went on to form and teach a highly skilled and successful team of musicians. Add to this that he was a founder member of the Dundee, Perth and Angus Pipe Band Association and then went on to help this to join with Glasgow to form what is now The Royal

Scottish Pipe Band Association.

He remained a life member and past President of the Branch

I would be glad to obtain a photograph of this band, but for now, take a look at the Massed Bands photo.

Here we have a photo courtesy of Ron Miller. The only name we have for the group is Ron's uncle David Miller (standing second from the left).

A super quality photo possibly taken after the Second World War.

Can anyone tell me the date and identify the kirk in the background

(2/1/2007 was suggested that the "kirk" is the backof Inverness Cathedral?)

Having spent some time with the pipers, it is worth remembering that a highly notable member was in fact a drummer. Highly thought of all his years was David Miller. Safe to say that David was a highly inventive, as well as highly skilled drummer. It has been suggested that he was in fact the Alex Duthart of his day. His son, Claude, was to follow in his footsteps, but took things a bit further by becoming a highly accomplished Piper and highland dancer. David's family is still to the fore throughout the local Pipe Band Branch with nephews still active in the drum corps.

David Miller is on the left here with a lady drummer Allie Lesley, I need the name for the Bass drummer, George Black senior is next, but who is the last one?

David Miller on the left, Allie Lesley (female), unknown Bass, George Black senior and unknown.

This next picture was taken with the old stand at Cowal Games in the background.

Come......NAMES PLEASE!

The only name suggested at present is Claude Miller (far left).

Note the Wallace Tartan now.

In the above photo we the City are holding on to the "Sentinel" Cup (right), but what was it for?

Who's in the photo?

The trophy on the left is the Dundee Police Sports Cup which was won three times in a row by the band and is still held by the family of Pipe Major Sandy Chalmers.

Left to Right:

Unknown drummer, Claude Miller, Norval Fyall, unknown, Sandy Chalmers (retired Pipe Major) holding the Dundee Police Sports Cup, Jimmy McIntosh, unknown, unknown, Davie Miller holding the cup). The only other one I know is Colin Stewart second from the right

Help me fill the spaces.

A 1930's Committee photo outside Dudhope Castle

Where are the violin cases "Youz Guys"

Back Row L to R Jock Martin, Jim Nichol, Doddie Payne

Front Row L to R Sandy Chalmers, Will Allardyce, Jock Crabbe, Dave Paton.