Pipe Major Walter Duncan

Subject: Pipe Major Walter Duncan Sat Oct 02, 2010 7:30 pm

Pipe Major Walter Duncan CAFLSM served in five wars spanning 65 years.Enlisted in 1875 as a Drummer with the 91st Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders and served in the Zulu War 1879. Next, he served as Pipe Major with the Kimberley Regiment in Bechuanaland 1897 and in the Defence of Kimberley, and then with the S.A. Veteran Regiment in WWI. In WWII he received the S.A. Medal for War Services Medal 1939-45 for recruiting work when about 90 years of age.

Posts : 4 Join date : 2021-09-23

Hello I am researching Walter Gilchrist Duncan my great grandfather and I believe this is him. Can you point me to any sites which can help me get more information please. I know he also taught the bagpipes at Christian Brothers a college in Kimberley up to about 1937. Kind regards Liz Collins

Subject: Re: Pipe Major Walter Duncan Fri Oct 08, 2021 9:36 am

Liz,

A good place to start might well be his service record.

There is a Drummer 616 W. Duncan on the Medal Roll of the 91st (Princess Louise’s Argyllshire Highlanders) Regiment. Showing his entitlement to the South African General Service Medal with the Clasp ‘1879’.

The 91st merged the 93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment in 1881, to become the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.

The Regimental Museum, which was recently refurbished, is situated within Stirling Castle, Scotland. Contained within their collection are a number of items relating to the Zulu War of 1879, and the time spent at The Castle, Cape Town where the regiment provided guards for the incarcerated King Cetshwayo kaMpande.

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91st Highlanders, Cape Town, 1881.
(John Young Collection.)

Who knows he may well be in this photograph?

JY

Subject: Re: Pipe Major Walter Duncan Fri Oct 08, 2021 10:27 am

Looks like the old barracks at WYNBERG JOHN

Subject: Re: Pipe Major Walter Duncan Fri Oct 08, 2021 10:32 am

Frank,

Yes it is indeed. I had a brain fart when posting the photograph as to the exact location.

JY

Posts : 3463 Join date : 2021-01-04

Walter G. Duncan. Born 1848 Scotland. Enlisted in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Took part in the Zulu War. Whilst stationed at St Helena, the Crown Prince (later Kaiser Wilhelm) visited Napoleons grave and Duncan played a lament. He was the official piper to the wedding of Princess Louise to the Duke of Argyll. Fought in the Bechuanaland campaign and present at the siege of Kimberley. WWI saw service in SW Africa and all together received 10 campaign medals. On resuscitation of the Kimberley Regiment Pipe Band in 1929 he was appointed Pipe Major and served the Regiment until his retirement in 1936. This service was given as an octogenarian, but few who saw him marching with the Kimberley Regiment with his straight back, the measured step and obvious dignity, will credit this. He died at Springs in 1943 in his 96th year.

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Kate Very Happy

Subject: Re: Pipe Major Walter Duncan Fri Oct 08, 2021 1:54 pm

Kate,

Just the sake of clarity rather than Prince Wilhelm - later Kaiser Wilhelm II - visiting St. Helena on 15th August 1880 it was actually his younger brother, Prince Albert Wilhelm Heinrich, more commonly known as Prince Henry of Prussia.

Given the date of his visit it should be possible to establish in which company Walter served in the 91st (Princess Louise’s Argyllshire Highlanders), by searching the appropriate Pay & Muster Roll. According to the regimental history, the company commander was Captain William Salmon Mills.

The St. Helena detachment received their campaign medals from Sir Frederick Roberts V.C., in March 1881, whilst Roberts was en-route to South Africa to assume command following Colley’s death at Majuba.

Maybe Walter should have played a lament at the love-Lorne (sic.) marriage of Princess Louise to John Campbell in 1871, but that’s another story, as are the rumours regarding her involvement with another Zulu War veteran...

JY

Posts : 3387 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Liz

Welcome to the forum.

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Dundee Courier 22 January 1891

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Liverpool Evening Express 24 April 1943.

This is all I have on Walter

Andy

Posts : 4 Join date : 2021-09-23

Thank you Andy. I have this info but appreciate your help. I’ve gotten stuck on finding his place and date of birth but will look for Army records. A very character.

Posts : 4 Join date : 2021-09-23

Hello I am still flummoxed as to PM Duncan's birthplace although Im pretty certain in was in Laurencekirk Scotland in 1856 as per the 1861 census. But that would make him 87 when he died in Brakpan in 1943 which doesn't tie up with newspaper reports that he died at 96! Can't find his muster record. Can anyone cast any more light? Liz

Posts : 3463 Join date : 2021-01-04

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Shields Daily News - Thursday 23 June 1938

Posts : 4 Join date : 2021-09-23

Where could I get info about the deBeers company with a view to getting any records they might have about my great grandfather. I’ve hit a blank on trying to contact family to get further with research so needs to change tack…

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