by Jo Barnes | photo by Leah Gray –
A set of battle-damaged bagpipes sit in a place of honour in England’s Dawlish Museum. While seemingly unremarkable, they were the inspirational instrument played by Canadian Bill Millin for his fellow soldiers as they stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944.
The skirl of the bagpipes has always been an incentive to battle and has inspired pride, self-esteem and camaraderie in Canadian soldiers and today, no Remembrance Day is complete without this instrument’s evocative notes being played.
Doug Foster, pipe major of the Saanich Peninsula Pipe Band, well understands this and has himself been participating in the November 11 ceremonies since he was a child.
“During the First World War, the Canadian Expeditionary Force was led by pipe bands. Pipers were at Flanders Fields and many other places,” shares Doug. “The sound reflects sorrow, love, reflection, appreciation and celebrates freedom.”
Doug was captivated by the sight and sound of the bagpipes at a young age when he saw and heard the pipers marching along
in the parade.
“I saw the Army, Navy, Air Force bands in the parade, but my favourite was the pipe band,” he says. “I was too young to join the cadets. I joined the Victoria Boys Pipe Band under the direction of Ian Duncan.”
That first step into the world of bagpipes led to many years of developing his instrument skills, participating in a variety of bands, performing and competing, and ultimately, leading others. His commitment to playing in the Remembrance Day ceremonies, however, was always a constant.
“It is important to me to be part of Remembrance Day,” remarks Doug. “Veterans have served in a variety of situations such as World War One and World War Two, Korea, and in peacekeeping missions. They have put themselves in harm’s way for the greater good.”
Today, Doug regularly picks up his set of bagpipes, but it was not his first instrument.
“In grades five and six, I was in the school band and played on the brass side of things. I played all kinds of instruments such as French horn, trumpet and trombone,” he relates, adding: “I’ve always liked music.”
Initially Doug had wanted to play drums when he joined the Victoria Boys Pipe Band. However, there was a need for more pipers, so he agreed to take on this new instrument. Subsequently, he joined the Canadian Scottish Cadet and senior Regimental pipe bands and continued to hone his skills. In his late teens, he became part of the Sooke Highlanders Pipe Band, where he continued to learn from talented pipers and participated in parades on Canada Day and more. The band eventually moved to Victoria, then to Sidney where it was sponsored by the Branch #37 Legion and ANAVETS (The Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada) and finally became the current Saanich Peninsula Pipe Band.
His introduction to Canadian veterans was a pivotal moment for Doug, when his understanding of the significance of Remembrance Day began to deepen.
“As a teen, I would go to the Legion. I was intrigued by those men with so many medals across their chest, and I would listen to their stories,” relates Doug. “I began to hang around them more and my perspective started to change.”
Now, many decades later, that commitment to honour veterans and their service to their Country, and to listen to their personal stories, has remained.
“When I play at the cenotaph, I like to know the veteran’s stories and reaffirm the significance of what I do,” he says. “Sometimes I fix my gaze on a reflective face in the crowd or a veteran wearing medals.”
Doug has played his pipes or led the pipe band in countless November 11 parades and also performed solo the timeless Flowers of the Forest, a haunting slow lament which is only played on Remembrance Day or at funerals.
“It’s in my blood,” shares Doug. “The music expresses a feeling and a story. I put self expression into it and let the music flow.”
While Doug has become a fixture as a pipe major and a soloist at Remembrance Day ceremonies, what continues to draw him is the music and the opportunity to play with others.
“I close my eyes and just think about the music,” he shares. “In a band, the objective is to play together sounding as one with the same pitch and tone. I really like it when it’s a full band and it sounds like only one piper playing.”
The pipes and their unique haunting sound have always spoken to Doug and to all who hear them, and for veterans and musicians alike, it speaks of bonds and camaraderie like no other.
