The Pipes and Drums of the Pacific Islands Regiment (PIR)

The Pipes and Drums of the PIR were the external showpiece of the Regiment. They were formed in 1952 and took part in military ceremonies in 1953 celebrating the coronation of Her Majesty the Queen. The Pipes carried the tartan of the Clan Cameron, which stemmed from a visit to PIR by Lord Rowallan, the Chief Scout of Australia and a member of that clan. They also carried Pipe Banners which were presented by eminent people over time. The Regimental March of the PIR was “Bonnie Dundee”. It was most likely proposed to the Commanding Officer by the Pipe Major, but this is only a guess.

The credit for the early high quality of the PIR Pipes and Drums must go to the first Pipe Major, Lew MacLennan, MBE, whose family had emigrated from Scotland when he was eight. Lew came from a very famous family of pipers and was himself a champion. He served with the Australian Army in the Middle East and the Pacific campaigns during World War 2 and after the War formed the Perth Highland Pipe Band in Western Australia which still wears the MacLennan Tartan.

In 1951 Lew re-enlisted in the Army in order to form the PIR Pipes and Drums. He was so skilled that the Pipes and Drums were able to parade with the Battalion after only six months training. This could have been expected to take two years. The Pipers learned to read music before they could read English. Lew’s two year posting stretched to six years, as no suitable replacement could be found. By the time he left in 1957, the Pipes and Drums were an outstanding example of what great expertise and dedication could achieve.

Lew was replaced by Pipe Major Jim (Jamie) Whitecross, MBE, in 1957. He was a transferee from the CMF in Western Australia, where he had been the Pipe Major of 16 RWAR. He had served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of the British Army in Palestine and Malaya. Pipe Major Whitecross carried on the great work of Lew MacLennan until 1971, when he handed over to WO2 “Jock” Peni, a Papua New Guinean. When 2 PIR was formed the 1 PIR Pipes and Drums were split and Sgt Tiamaua, who had been the Pipe Sergeant of the 1 PIR Pipes and Drums, was appointed as Pipe Major of the 2 PIR Pipes and Drums. The PIR owes a great debt to these men who built Pipes and Drums of which any Regiment could be proud.

Pipes and Drums entering Taurama Barracks PIR, approx. 1952-54 (Port Moresby)
Original Pipers, PIR Taurama Barracks, Port Moresby, 1952
Original Drum Corps PIR Taurama Barracks, Port Moresby, 1952

Almost twenty years later – 1971

1 PIR Pipes and Drums on Parade, 1971
WO2 ‘Jock’ Peni, Bandmaster, Taurama Barracks ‘Beating the Retreat’ Ceremony
Lt Col Ron Lange, Brigadier R T Eldridge and WO2 ‘Jock’ Peni, 1971

Many will remember WO2 ‘Jock’ Peni, who, as well as being the first Papua New Guinean Bandmaster, was an excellent Field Hockey player.

Thanks go to Major General ‘Hori’ Howard, who penned the historical section of the above article. Thanks also to Colonel Ron Lange AM, MID, Commanding Officer 1PIR (1970-73) for providing information and photographs from his memorabilia. Ron is a font of knowledge on the history of the Pacific Islands Regiment having served in PNG in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

THE PIPES AND DRUMS TODAY

1 RPIR Pipes and Drums led by WO2 B. Vele welcome the new CDF to Taurama Barracks, February 2022 (photo courtesy of Capt. Tom Folley)

(Compiled in 2022 by Kev Horton, Hon Secretary, PIB-NGIB-HQ-PIR Assn)