Drum major Phil deJoux said the band had a proud relationship with the South Canterbury RSA and would play at various Anzac parades on Anzac Day again this year.
The band had been at the Timaru Railway Station on many occasions during World War 2 to welcome troop trains with returning soldiers and also to farewell them prior to embarkation to overseas theatres of war, Mr deJoux said.
Records show that in 1944, 40 bandsmen were away on active service, many of whom distinguished themselves and some of whom took their pipes.
The late Pipe Major Ron Munroe joined the army in the early days of World War 2 and sailed to the Middle East with the first echelon.
His bagpipes became part of his kit and he played them wherever he served with his unit in Greece, Crete, Palestine and throughout the North African campaign.
During the absence of regular bandsmen during the war, members of the Timaru Boys’ High School Pipe Band filled in and kept the band going over that period.
The band will play at the Timaru Town and Country Club on Anzac Day about noon after the civic service at Caroline Bay.
