PIPES AND DRUMS OF THE

SIGNALS ASSOCIATION (AUCKLAND)

HEADDRESS EMBELLISHMENTS

1957 - CURRENT

This band was originally formed in 1957 as the Band of 1^st Divisional Signal Regiment (Pipes and Drums). Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals, as a Territorial Army band. With the demise of 1st Divisional Signal Regiment in 1964 the band became a wholly civilian band named the Pipes and Drums of the Signals Association (Auckland).

Over the years various dress and embellishments have been worn by the band. From 1957 the bands bonnet badge was that of the Gordon Highlanders. In 1960 the badge was replaced by the badge of the Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals, which it retains to the present day. Note in times of shortage the band has resorted to Royal Signals badges when unable to obtain the RNZ Signals badge.

From 1957 to 1960 the Band wore the uniform of the Auckland Scottish Pipe Band-McKenzie tartan with pipers wearing green facings and doublet, blue Glengarry with black cock's feathers, white sporran with two black tails and tartan hose. Drummers wore a scarlet doublet, blue facings, blue Glengarry with scarlet and white dicing, and scarlet and white hose. The Band's bonnet badge was that of the Gordon Highlanders. From 1960 to 1964 the uniform comprised serge battledress with white webbing, a blue Balmoral bonnet with scarlet, green and white dicing and the Corps badge. Since 1964 full dress has comprised of the Royal Stewart tartan and a feather bonnet, with scarlet, green and white dicing with a 12 inch scarlet hackle, white sporran with two black tails. Pipers wear a green doublet with green facings, that of the drummers being scarlet with scarlet facings. Tartan hose continues to be worn as does the Corps badge. A blue over white hackle was introduced in 2014 for the Glengarry, but this FGH may be replaced for a white over blue hackle being the tactical colours of RNZ Signals in the future. The Pipe Major's pipes carry a pipe banner bearing the inscription “Pipes and Drums of the Signals Association” on a green background.

The illustrations above and below show all three types of headdress and badges that may be worn along with a nice illustration of their Pipe Banner.