"Leatherlungs"

**macwilkin** · 30th April 10, 11:35 AM

Army & Navy - MARINES: Leatherlungs

The skirl of bagpipes, which has long lifted the hackles of Scottish fighters, has so stirred U.S. Marines stationed in Londonderry that they have formed their own pipe band. With chanters & drones and drums, such Scots-by-sentiment as Privates Chartowich, Ritz and Rozelle have practiced pibrochs and set to the pipes the Marine's own Semper Fidelis.

Thirty strong, the unkilted but undaunted band made its first public appearance on the anniversary of the Corps's landing in Northern Ireland, tootled, thumped and groaned through Oh, Susanna! and Garryowen. Last week the Marine pipers swelled with pride as well as wind: Scottish pipe band associations had invited them over to participate in their contests; they were also billed as the star attraction at a Wings for Victory bond rally at Larne, Northern Ireland.

May 31, 1943

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/ar...#ixzz0mbsM6rWN

**Noel Christian Riddell** · 30th April 10, 11:42 AM

Love it.

Now to get them properly outfitted...

**macwilkin** · 30th April 10, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by Noel Christian Riddell

Love it.

Now to get them properly outfitted...

Their descendants are:

http://www.leatherneckpipeband.com/

Each bagpipe cover shows the distinctive "Shamrock" patch issued in 1942 to US Marines stationed in Northern Ireland, wartime home of the original Marine Corps bagpipe band. The insignia as displayed, is in tribute to our forebears whose name we proudly carry.

T.

**Noel Christian Riddell** · 30th April 10, 11:53 AM

Oh nice! I didn't know the current incarnation wore kilts. Most excellent.

I've seen a few images of kilted pipers in Iraq, but nothing formal like the Leatherneck Pipe Band. Looking (and sounding) sharp.

**macwilkin** · 30th April 10, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Noel Christian Riddell

Oh nice! I didn't know the current incarnation wore kilts. Most excellent.

I've seen a few images of kilted pipers in Iraq, but nothing formal like the Leatherneck Pipe Band. Looking (and sounding) sharp.

The Company of Military Historians devoted a plate in their magazine to the original USMC Pipe Band many years ago:

http://www.military-historians.org/c...images/692.htm

The US Marines stationed in Iceland in 1941-42 also had some experience with the pipes, as they were "neighbors" to the Tyneside Scottish:

http://www.nps.gov/archive/wapa/inde...1b.htm#british

My great-uncle Robert was a "Polar Bear Marine" (actually a US Navy Corpsman).

T.

**Kiltedfirepiper** · 30th April 10, 04:19 PM

I like those blue kilts with the red line down the side! looks sharp! and blends well with the others in p@nts.

http://www.leatherneckpipeband.com/p...1005-full.html

**macwilkin** · 30th April 10, 05:21 PM

A photo of my great-uncle Robert in Clarion, Iowa, before shipping out for Iceland in October 1941:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb....generation.jpg

You can just barely make out his rating on the sleeve.

T.

**AFS1970** · 7th May 10, 09:45 PM

I just heard the Leatherneck Pipe Band yesterday, they were in town for our Police Memorial Day Parade. There were one of the more impressive bands. I do have to say, those guys need some decent hose, most of them were in very thin blue socks, that were never meant to be stretched that thin. I was also surprised that they were in solid blue kilts and not in the leatherneck tartan.