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Archives:
A long term project of the band is to develop its archives, which include documentary and
photographic records, as well as historical items such as uniforms and paraphenalia. The
band also possesses many interesting early pipe band recordings on 78 |
| (donated by Charles Watkins), some of which have been used
elsewhere on this site. For security reasons none of these items is kept in the band hall,
although hopefully one day some form of permanent display can be established for viewing
by the public. Other items of band paraphenalia are owned by the New Zealand Army
War Museum in Waiouru. Below are some of the more interesting items in the band's
possession. |
| The Regimental Mace pictured above was presented to the
Pipes & Drums in the 1940s by Lieutenant Colonel George, commanding officer of the
Regiment at the time. It is engraved on its upper surface to mark the occasion. |
| Swagger canes were used by Ofiicers and senior
NCOs on the parade ground and for drill practice. Two swagger sticks are pictured, the
first made of spent .303 cases (and one .50 calibre!), the second cane. For many years the
Pipes & Drums' first Drum Major, Andy Hobson, used only a swagger stick instead of a
full mace. The second swagger stick was originally owned by Andy Hobson, and was |
Detail of Wellington Regiment Swagger Cane
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| given by his son Bruce to Charles Watkins (a piper and
Drum Major) who in turn generously presented it to the band in 1999. The ball of the
swagger stick is embossed with the Regimental crest. The shaft is made from light cane. |
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Pictured left among other trophies, is the
MacLennan Cup, donated by the Pipes & Drums' first Pipe Major, George MacLennan, in
memory of his son. The band is also fortunate that it, and some band members, still
possess several of the old Regimental drums. |
| Probably the oldest bass drum used by the band
is held by the New Zealand Army War Museum, where it was formerly on display in the lobby.
This is probably one of the two rope tension drums pictured in 1935 and 1937 photos of the
band on the history
pages. Another rope tension side drum is owned by a band member. Rope tension drums were
discarded after the War when bands moved to drums with metal lugs for keeping the skins |
Rope tension side drum, pre WWII
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at a higher and more even tension. The band
owns a bass drum and tenor drum of this type (pictured above). The drums were an important and revered possession of the Regiment and were
carried and played with pride. They were consecrated |
| with the Regimental Colours (there is a photo of such a
ceremony at the Basin Reserve, 1930s, in the Official History of the Regiment), and bore
the Battle Honours of the Regiment. These include South Africa, The Somme, Crete and El
Alamein. |
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