Vancouver Police Pipe Band, 80th Anniversary Ceremony of D-day trip to Normandy, France

The Vancouver Police Pipe Band has been a proud ambassador representing our city, province, and country for 110 years at community events and significant occasions across the country and around the globe. This Saturday, June 1, 2024, the band will embark on yet again another amazing journey to Normandy, France.

The band has participated in many “Tattoo” events – Basil (2010, 2013, 2018, 2023), Edinburgh (1980, 1999, 2016) and the Nanchang Military Festival in 2017 to name a few. This year the band will have a different type of trip. Pipe Sergeant, Owen Reid, was watching a late night news program September 2023, when the announcer brought up the ceremony planned for the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in June 2024. A text was immediately sent to Pipe Major Cal Davies and the idea for their 2024 trip had formed. Some reconnaissance and scouting of locations in Northern France took place last summer after the Basil Tattoo. Travels to Vimy Ridge and a solo performance for Owen at the Menin Gate, where they have been holding the ceremony every night since 1928 to honour the war dead who do not have graves. Meetings were immediately held and Bob Murphy (retired Vancouver Police Pipe Band Sergeant and past President of BCPA) was brought in to help organize the trip as he was instrumental in planning the 2014 trip to London for the band to perform the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace.

There are 24 players going on this trip to the 80th Anniversary Ceremony of the D-Day Landings. Their itinerary is a busy one, standing alongside nations to commemorate Canada’s fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. This trip is also in part remembrance of one of their own members, John Briggs who passed away in 2021. There has been support from Legions across the country, a wreath will be laid representing each of them. The drum corps has poppies painted on their drums honouring and representing their support:

RCL’s

01-020 NAKUSP, 01-022 SUMMERLAND, 01-032 AGASSIZ, 01-052 KAMLOOPS, 01-054 SOOKE, 01-056 GEORGE PEARKES, 01-076 QUALICUM BEACH, 01-084 GULF ISLANDS, 01-094 CARIBOO, 01-096 MERRITT, 01-113 ASHCROFT, 01-119 PORT MOODY, 01-148 NORTH BURNABY, 01-173 K KNUDTSON, 01-179 GRANDVIEW/COLLINGWOOD, 01-189 OYAMA, 01-217 SALMO & DISTRICT, 01-236 WESTWOLD, 01-256 MOUNT BENSON, 01-281 PORT MCNEILL, 02-020 TABER, 02-021 VULCAN, 02-029 WORTHINGTON, 02-036 RIMBEY, 02-037 HIGH PRAIRIE, 02-038 BASHAW, 02-066 PONOKA, 02-093 HYTHE, 02-119 CASTOR, 02-165 MCMURRAY-WATERWAYS, 02-169 BOYLE, 02-211 COLD LAKE, 02-223 SUNDRE, 02-269 DRAYTON VALLEY, 02-284 CHAPELHOW, 03-016 FOAM LAKE, 03-033 SILTON, 03-037 QUILL LAKE, 03-039 LLOYDMINISTER, 03-056 SWIFT CURRENT, 03-057 KINDERSLEY, 03-075 MAPLE CREEK, 03-076 MEADOW LAKE, 03-079 LEASK, 03-098 FLAXCOMBE, 03-108 SEMANS, 03-120 NIPAWIN, 03-124 KYLE, 03-132 CANWOOD, 03-165 LOON LAKE, 03-178 PIERCELAND, 03-188 PREECEVILLE, 03192 LIVELONG, 03-206 ELROSE, 03-213 CENTRAL BUTTE, 03-216 CARNDUFF, 03-246 DUCK LAKE, 03-262 OUTLOOK, 03-264 STAR CITY, 03-324 BEECHY, 04-007 TRANSCONA, 04-021 MANITOU, 04-023 NEEPAWA, 04-039 SWAN RIVER, 04-042 SELKIRK, 04-048 BIRCH RIVER, 04-064 PINE FALLS, 04-099 GENERAL LIPSETT, 04-100 CHARLESWOOD, 04-102 RED LAKE, 04-110 GLADSTONE & DISTRICT, 04-111 MORRIS, 04-116 W A BILL GRANT, 04-118 WOODWORTH, 04-121 HOLLAND, 04-138 GENERAL HUGH DYER, 04-153 CARBERRY & DISTRICT, 04-161 ARBORG, 05-015 MAJOR WILLIAM DWIGHT SHARPE, 05-076 DR FRED STARR, 05-085 KAPUSKASING, 05-090 TELEPHONE CITY ,05-095 SMITHS FALLS, 05-109 GODERICH, 05-114 OAKVILLE, 05-161 THE CENTRAL MUSKOKA, 05-179 CAPREOL, 05-211 BRUCE MINES, 05-238 FENELON FALLS, 05-287 PORCUPINE THE, 05-290 TOBERMORY, 05-309 LUCKNOW, 05-336 FALCONBRIDGE & GARSON, 05-374 ST JOSEPH ISLAND, 05-384 MCGARRY, 05-399 BELLE RIVER, 05-402 MILLBROOK, 05-406 BARRY’S BAY, 05-472 GEORGES VANIER, 05-475 KITLEY-TOLEDO, 05-498 VETERANS MEMORIAL, 05-501 LAMBETH, 05-503 ONAPING FALLS, 05-519 COBOCONK, 05-550 COBDEN & DISTRICT, 05-553 CHELMSFORD, 05-564 LOCKERBY, 05-591 ANNIVERSARY, 05-598 DELAWARE, 05-635 BRIGDEN, 06-036 JOSEPH KAEBLE VC MM, 06-048 BURY
06-059 JUBILEE-GASPE, 06-082 PHILIPSBURG, 06-091 CHURCHILL, 06-108 CHATEAUGUAY, 06-185 ST EUSTACHE, 06-190 LT COL PAUL BROSSEAU OBE ED, 06-251 CHOMEDEY, 06-253 LEOPOLD LANGLOIS, 06-261 ROCHE PERCE ROCK, 07-017 DALHOUSIE, 07-055 GLADSTONE, 07-058 KENNEBECASIS, 07-080 BEAVERBROOK-TAYMOUTH, 08-006 KINGS, 08-010 AMHERST, 08-029 TRENTON, 08-031 SOMME-DARTMOUTH, 08-038 MERSEY, 08-049 MAHONE BAY, 08-072 COBEQUID, 08-097 MALAGASH, 08-166 HANTS NORTH, 09-002 O’LEARY, 09-008 MONTAGUE, 09-027 ST ANTHONY, 10-005 BOTWOOD10-048 PORT BLANDFORD, 10-050 CONCEPTION BAY, 18-025 SAN FRANCISCO

ANAVETS
05-336 FALCONBRIDGE & GARSON
222- PRINCE ALBERT
5- VERNON
26 – SOUTH VANCOUVER
342 – ONTARIO
95 – WOODSTOCK
217 – WATERFORD
302 – SIDNEY
280 – KINGSWAY
261 – STRATFORD

The painting of the poppy has started taking shape on their drums.

The VPPB is travelling to France and Belgium on June 1st. Activities include the following:

1. Iconic Band picture with the Eiffel Tower – June 3rd

2. Participation in the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings at Juno Beach – June 6th

3. Performance at Vimy Ridge

4. Four wreath laying ceremonies at various War Commission Cemeteries honouring VPD members who lost their lives in WW1 and WW2.

5. Main Street parade and performance in Ribecourt le Tour to honour the memory of Robbie MacBeath – Victoria Cross winner and VPD member.

6. Menin Gate performance (held every night since 1928 to honour the WW1 war dead who do not have graves) in Ypres Belgium.

Monday, a few members of the BCPA executive enjoyed attending their final practice before heading off to France, from June 1 – 14. It was a busy practice of “polishing up” some tunes, marching drill routines for the Juno Beach ceremony, and playing as a group their many tune selections. In addition, the band also had special packing, of their feather bonnets in drum cases and getting everything ready for such an important trip. The British Columbia Pipers’ Association and our membership, are sending their very best wishes to the Vancouver Police Pipe Band for a memorable and meaningful trip.