The 231st Battalion CEF Pipe Band
The Pipe Band of the 231st Battalion, C.E.F. (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada).
One Thing Leads to Another
Constantly Searching Has its Rewards
Very recently I met an actor who told me that his great grandfather served during the Great War with the 72nd Battalion C.E.F. I suggested to him that if he were to contact me with his great grandfather’s name I might be able to find a few interesting things about him and in this case it was to prove very rewarding. With the name in hand I was able to determine that our actor’s great grandfather was an original member of the 231st Battalion, C.E.F. who, like the 72nd, also went by the name of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.
I was able to track down a small souvenir, paper-back edition about the 231st where I found a picture of the man in question but after browsing through the booklet’s pages I came across a fine image of the 231st Pipe Band and so – one thing leads to another.
The 72nd served in France and Flanders during the Great War as part of the Fourth Canadian Division whereas the 231st was broken up to provide reinforcements in the field. Several of the Pipers from the 231st would later serve with the 72nd. Both battalions were from Vancouver, B.C. Original members of the 231st were issued with service numbers 1015001 – 1016000 and in all the 231st raised 661 personnel. Like all of the battalions raised for the C.E.F. they had high hopes for serving in France and Flanders. Their service in Canada commenced March 10, 1916 and in April 1917 their journey to England began where on April 22, 1917 they were first absorbed into Canadian Reserve Battalion structure.
The kilt of the 231st Battalion Pipe Band was the MacKenzie tartan and the pipe ribbons and bag cover were also of the same pattern. The Pipers sporrans included a fine gilt cantle with a silver sporran badge comprising a stag’s head and scroll inscribed “Cuidich’n Rich” (Help The King). The sporran was finished in grey horse hair with two black tails.
One never knows where these research journeys will lead. It is a reminder that constant searching has its rewards all you have to do is follow the trail!
Some Biographical Information about the 231st Battalion C.E.F. Pipers
(Names in order as they appear in the image from left to right)
Pipe Major W. Strachan
(William Moyes? 1015211)
Born: Lewis, Scotland June 28, 1874
Trade or Calling: Clerk
Prior Service: 5 Years Royal Garrison Artillery
Not shown on 231st Battalion Embarkation Roll Halifax, Nova Scotia, April 1917
Corporal Angus McLennan
1015228
Born Scalpay Harries, Scotland May 24, 1880
Trade or Calling: Plumber
Prior Service: 72nd Seaforth Highlanders
Piper David Smith
1015230
Born: Stormoway, Scotland June 7, 1880
Trade or Calling: Laborer
No Prior Service: Attestation paper also hand lettered “Piper”
Served with the 72nd Battalion C.E.F. in France and Flanders from August 1, 1917
Piper Alexander Mitchell
1015335
Born: Perthshire, Scotland January 7, 1882
Trade or Calling: Stone Mason
Prior Service: Four years Garrison Artillery, Perth, Scotland
Served with the 72nd Battalion C.E.F. in France and Flanders from September 6, 1917
Piper Donald McLellan
760763
Born: Lochinady, Inverness, Scotland April 22, 1891
Trade or Calling: Teamster
Prior Service: Six years Cameron Highlanders
Service number indicates McLellan originally joined the 121st Battalion C.E.F. (New Westminster)
Served with the 72nd Battalion C.E.F. in France and Flanders from September 6, 1917
Piper Roderick McLeod
1015812
Born: Sutherlandshire, Scotland May 7, 1883
Trade or Calling: Police Constable
Prior Service: Seven years Royal Naval Reserve
Served with the 72nd Battalion C.E.F. in France and Flanders from August 1, 1917
Piper Torquil Campbell
1015401
Born: Stormoway, Scotland July 16, 1888
Trade or Calling: Fireman
No Prior Service
Not shown on 231st Battalion Embarkation Roll Halifax, Nova Scotia, April 1917
Piper G.L. Cairns
Details not Traced
Not shown on 231st Battalion Embarkation Roll Halifax, Nova Scotia, April 1917
Piper Alexander Bruce
1015368
Attestation Papers not Available
Served with the 72nd Battalion C.E.F. in France and Flanders from August 1, 1917
Piper Andrew Ferrier Rankine
1015866
Born: Almond B_____, Perth, Scotland April 23, 1881
Trade or Calling: Rancher
No Prior Service
Not shown on 231st Battalion Embarkation Roll Halifax, Nova Scotia, April 1917
Piper Andrew Thomas Smith
645907
Born: Edinburgh, Scotland September 10, 1898
Trade or Calling: Draughtsman
Prior Service: Four months 6th Regiment Duke of Connaught’s Own
Service number indicates Smith originally joined the 158th Battalion C.E.F. (Vancouver)
Served with the 72nd Battalion C.E.F. in France and Flanders from September 21, 1917
Lance Corporal William Alexander
1015223
Born: Dundee, Scotland December 8, 1875
Trade or Calling: Carpenter
Prior Service: Four years Black Watch (Territorials) Attestation paper also hand lettered “Piper”
Served with the 72nd Battalion C.E.F. in France and Flanders from 6 September 1917 later transferred to the Canadian Labour Pool
Piper Thomas McKenzie Campbell
703847
Born: Tarbert Harris, Scotland February 22, 1888
Trade or Calling: Miner and Fireman
Prior Service: 107th Regiment (East Kootenay Regiment)
Service number indicates Campbell originally joined the 102nd Battalion C.E.F. (Comox)
Served with the 72nd Battalion C.E.F. in France and Flanders from July 17, 1917
Corporal Alexander Kay
1015233
Born: Edinburgh, Scotland September 19, 1881
Trade or Calling: Carpenter
Prior Service: Six years 5th Battalion Royal Scots / Three years Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
Later Sergeant Piper of the 231st.
Served with the 72nd Battalion C.E.F. in France and Flanders from October 18, 1917 (sic). Wounded November 21, 1916. Sick January 14, 1917. Rejoined battalion February 3, 1917
About The Author
Hi saw my grandfather in an article by Paul Ferguson.
Can paul please contact me at my given e mail address.
Grandfather Piper Thomas McKenzie Campbell