The following list is reprinted by kind permission of Mr. Richard Crawford of Peekskill, New York from notes from his anticipated publication, "Pipers of the Highland Regiments, 1854-1902". Mr. Crawford writes that, "[r]ecords maintained at the Public Record Office at Kew, have been the most reliable source of reference for compiling this roll. These include, but are not limited to, Attestation Papers; Muster and Medal Rolls; Description and Pay Lists; Embarkation Rolls and recently released Great War WO 364s, Soldier's Papers."
"Regimental journals and histories," he continues, "have also contributed materially to the quality of the roll. Publications such as "The Scotsman," an Edinburgh daily newspaper; "The Highland Bagpipe", W.L. Manson (1901); "A Military History of Perthshire, 1899-1902"; "The Muster Roll of Angus, 1899-1902"; "Notices of Pipers", reprinted in the "Piping Times" between 1967 and 1974 and "The Northern Meeting" by Lieut. Col. A.A. Fairrie are just a few of the many references most often relied upon for the more trivial accounts of a Piper's duties and activities that were less likely to be found elsewhere. Though on occasion, the accuracy of some privately published material was doubtful and had to be documented from independent sources."
The HCRA thanks Mr. Crawford for allowing the posting of these fascinating biographies on regimental.com.
Campbell, James (Reg. No.: 2478)
Born at Thurso, Caithness. Enlisted in the 78th Highlanders, 29th April, 1845. Appointed piper, 1st April, 1854; one of the first five pipers officially authorized in the regiment. Served with the regiment in the East Indies, including stations in Poona in 1854. Took part in the Persian Campaign of 1856-57 and the Sepoy Mutiny in India during 1857-58. Accompanied the 78th in the first relief of Lucknow and defence of the Alum Bagh in September, 1857. Also took part in the final operations resulting in the capture of the city. Returned home and was stationed at Aldershot, Shorncliffe, Dover and Dublin from 1861 through 1865. Appointed Pipe-Major from Corporal, 12th March, 1862. Awarded the medal for Long Service and Good Conduct. Discharged to pension, 30th May 1865.
Medal Entitlement: India Service Medal (1854-1895) with Persia clasp; Indian Mutiny Medal (1857-1858) with Lucknow and Defence of Lucknow clasps; Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
McKay, Alexander (Reg. No.: 2692)
Served as a piper with the 78th Highlanders. One of the first five pipers officially authorized in the Regiment. Appointed 1st April, 1854 while serving with the 78th at Poona, India. Took part in the 1856-57 campaign in Persia and the Sepoy Mutiny in India. Died of cholera in India, 18th August, 1857.
Medal Entitlement: India Service Medal (1854-1895) with Persia clasp; Indian Mutiny Medal (1857-1858).
McKay, Daniel (Reg. No.: 3081)
Born in Edinburgh. Employed in a brass foundry prior to enlistment as a boy in the 78th Highlanders, 28th March 1848. Promoted private, 29th April, 1849 and embarked for India. Served at Aden, Belgaum, Bombay and Poona. Appointed piper, 1st April, 1854, one of the first five pipers officially authorized in the regiment. Served in the Persian Campaign of 1856-57 and the Sepoy Mutiny in India during 1857-58. Took part in the first relief of Lucknow and the defence of the Alum Bagh in September, 1857. Served with the Rohilkand Field Force in the reduction and occupation of Bareilly. Reverted to private, 6th November, 1858. Left India in May and re-appointed piper on vacancy created by Piper Donald Gillies, 9th December, 1859. Served on recruitment duties from November to January, 1860. Discharged 29th April, 1861.
Medal Entitlement: India Service Medal (1854-1859) with Persia clasp; Indian Mutiny Medal (1857-1858) with Lucknow and Defense of Lucknow clasps.
McKay, John
Born of a Reay County family. Enlisted in the 78th Highlanders as a piper in 1846 and later transferred to the 25th (King's Own Borderers). Foreign service included India until about 1859. Appointed Pipe-Major of the 25th from 1865 to 1869. Recognized as "a good performer and a most musical man." The pipe tune, "The Badge of Scotland", named for the regimental badge of the King's Own Scottish Borderers (late 25th), was composed in his memory by his son John, who had become Pipe-Major of the 91st Highlanders.
McKellar, Alexander (Reg. No.: 1861)
Born in the Parish of Craignish, Argyllshire in 1824, the son of Dugald and Mary (McKenzie) McKellar. Attested for the 79th (Cameron Highlanders) at Paisley, 11th February, 1842 at age 18. Transferred to the 78th Highlanders, 1st April following and promoted to corporal, 3rd October, 1850. Confined for 12 days during October, 1852 and reduced to private. Promoted sergeant and appointed pipe-major, 1st April 1854, the first officially recognized pipe-major in the regiment. Served with the 78th during the campaign in Persia in 1856-58 included the action at Mungerwar, the first relief of Lucknow and the Rohilkand campaign. Wounded in the left side by a grape shot at the Alum Bagh. Tried for being drunk in September, 1858 and reduced to piper for 43 days. Re-appointed pipe-major as sergeant, 1st November. Married Eliza Lorden about 1859. Four sons of the marriage; Alexander, James Outram, Angus, Jesse Casio and a daughter. Competed unsuccesfully in piobaireachd at Inverness in 1860. Took 3rd prize the following year. Discharged, 11th March 1862 to a pension of 1s 8d and went to the 2nd Lanarkshire Militia. Character was noted as "Good", though twice tried by Courts Martial and once appearing in the Regimental Defaulter's Book. On discharge "he was allowed to reckon one year additional service for entering Lucknow". Among his compositions were, "The 78ths Farewell to Belgaum", "Burning of the Piper's Hut", Highland Brigade's March to Lucknow" and "The Barren Rocks of Aden" - the latter being often attributed to others. "...[N]ot a note in it but what was composed by me. The air is mine. The name is mine. Who has a better right to give a name to a child but the father, " replied McKellar when asked about it's origin. Residences included Ballachulish; Wickham Market and Birmingham. Entered Chelsea Hospital as In-Pensioner in 1891. Died there, 22nd September, 1895 after three years of bronchitis long. Buried in Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey.
Medal entitlement: India Service Medal (1854-1895) with Persia clasp; Indian Mutiny Medal (1857-1858) with Defence of Lucknow and Lucknow clasps; Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. (McKellar's Good Conduct and Indian Mutiny Medals are in the Regimental Museum along with his bonnet and Pipe Banner.)
McInnes, Peter (Reg. No.: 2604)
Served as a piper with the 78th Highlanders. One of the first five pipers officially authorized in the regiment. Appointed 1st April, 1854 while serving with the 78th at Poona, India. Took part in the 1856-57 campaign in Persia and the Sepoy Mutiny in India. Died of cholera in India, 18th August, 1857.
Medal Entitlement: India Service Medal (1854-1895) with Persia clasp.
Weir, Donald (Reg. No.: 2905)
Joined the 78th Highlanders about 1848. Served as a piper with the regiment during the Persian Campaign of 1856-57 and the Sepoy Mutiny in India during 1857-58. Took part in the first relief and defense of Lucknow in September, 1857 and was briefly mentioned in "A Soldier's Diary, 1848-1860" with other "Bandsmen" as being part of the ammunition guard at the Residency. Believed to have transferred to the 21st (Royal North British Fusiliers) as pipe-major. Emigrated to Canada following discharge and settled in British Columbia where he continued to be active in piping and Scottish affairs.
Medal Entitlement: India Service Medal (1854-1895) with Persia clasp; Indian Mutiny Medal (1857-1858) with Lucknow and Defense of Lucknow clasps.
Wells, John (Reg. No.: 1850)
Enlisted in the 79th (Cameron Highlanders) at Paisley in February, 1842. Volunteered for the 78th Highlanders along with Alexander McKellar and joined the regiment in May at Canterbury before they left for India. Succeeded MacSwayd as pipe-major, but in 1850 was superseded by McKellar. Appointed piper 1st April, 1854 while stationed at Poona; one of the first five pipers officially authorized in the regiment. Invalided home, 13th January, 1855. Gained a prize of £2 10 shillings for Marches and Quicksteps at the Edinburgh Highland Society Games of 1860. Stationed at Aldershot and Shorncliffe in 1861-62. Promoted corporal, 1st September, 1862. Went to the Royal Aberdeensire Highlanders (Militia) as Pipe-Major following discharge. Died about 1865.
Sitemap
