Historical Roots of The Old Elgin Band
1868 to 1984

 

The Elgin Regiment Trumpet Band was originally formed on or about the 8th day of May, 1868, being organized from the St. Thomas Brass Band. Previous to this, bands were a common sight throughout what is now Elgin County. In fact, most of the rifle companies of the 25th Battalion had a bugle band. The Band's history, however, dates back much further than their formation, as does the Elgin Regiment's. Dates of the Band can be tracked back to 1857 when the troop of Calvary paraded with a horse mounted band. During World War II, some members of the Elgin Regiment Trumpet Band formed a small orchestra, called "The Elginaires", under the direction of Len Langley. After the war, the Band formed to march our boys back to the Elgin Unit, from the train station. Directly after the war, the Band was disbanded, at which time The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 21 of St. Thomas took over sponsorship. In the late 40's, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel H. Medcalf, the Band was once again reformed. It flourished for many years afterwards, participating in such famous events as the Elgin Regiment Centennial, The Canadian Centennial, the Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and on a couple of occasions, at the Apple Blossom festival in Winchester, Virginia.

Elgin Regiment Band : Performance Highlights
1963	Lead Band : Mardi Gras Parade ( first Canadians to hold this honour )
1963	Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi.
1964	Canadian Armed Forces All Ontario Championship (Victorious) Varsity Stadium, Toronto.
1968 1969 1971	Cherry Blossom Festival Winchester, Virginia. In the Shanandoah Valley. Lead Band on two separate occasions.
1971 1972 1973 1974 1975	Bluewater International Festival, Michigan. Featured Band.

In 1970, The Elgin Regiment Trumpet Band was struck off of the regimental establishment. There was a very large outcry from the public to save the band, at which point the late Vince Barrie, former Mayor and Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the Elgin Regiment, signed a contract with the Department of National Defence for sponsorship of the band, saving the band from the same fate as many other militia. The band played on until 1974 when, due to lack of federal funding, it was finally disbanded.

 

This history of The Old Elgin Band was compiled by :
Bill Anderson, Ron McQuiggan, Pat Daugharty, and Herb Welch