JACKSON/SMITH family

Four Generations involved in Pipe Bands

Samuel Douglas (Jim) Edgar’s involvement with pipe bands began in the Boys’ Brigade in Glasgow. He started learning to play pipes by working with a piece of wood doweling with drilled chanter holes - and would hum the tunes as he fingered.

When he and his father immigrated to Canada in 1949, Jim joined the Montgomery Legion Pipe Band. Because pipes were a personal item and beyond the family's economic reach, Jim decided to become a tenor drummer as the band could provide the drums, sticks and mallets.

As the Royal Canadian Legion was getting out of the business of supporting pipe bands, Colonel Eric Cormack arranged for the #24 Branch Montgomery Legion's band members to join the Canadian Army Militia. The moved from the Legion to the Prince of Wales Armoury and became the regimental Pipes & Drums of the 20th Medium Regt, Royal Canadian Artillery.

As Jim lived on the south side and travel to the armoury became arduous, he opted to join the Strathcona Legion Pipe Band which was a competition band.  Under P/M Jim Stout, this band was crowned the Western Canadian Champions - a title they proudly enjoyed for seven consecutive years.  

In 1969 Jim joined the Pipes and Drums of Al Azhar Temple as a tenor and then bass drummer. When Northern Alberta got it’s own Temple, Jim was instrumental in forming the Pipes and Drums of Al Shamal. Edgar continued with this band as bass drummer, instructor and then Drum Major until he retired from playing in 2016.

Jim and Jessie’s three daughters, Patricia, Christine, and Jennifer all played pipes with the Edmonton Girls’ Pipe Band. At the age of 14 Patricia became the Pipe Major and was active in individual competition both in Canada and Scotland. She went on to play with the Edmonton Scottish Society Pipe Band, Ben Nevis Pipe Band (where she served as Pipe Major), North Stratton Pipe Band and is currently a member of Edmonton and District Pipe Band. 

Chris switched from bagpipes to tenor drum and retired in her early twenties. Jennifer played until back surgery forced her to give up piping.

Patricia’s daughter, Lauren Olson-Brown currently serves as Pipe Major of the Rose and Thistle Pipe Band, (formerly the Edmonton Girls’ Pipe Band). Patricia’s son, Ian is currently lead snare of the Rose and Thistle Pipe Band.

The Cox’s involvement all started with Fred and Edith Cox being charter members of the Edmonton Girls’ Pipe Band. 

All six children were involved in pipe bands or highland dancing: Margaret played bass drum for the Girls’ Band; Freddy was in the Edmonton Boys Band (now the Edmonton Youth Band) and married Cecilia MacKenzie who was a bass drummer for the Girls’ Band; Jessie played tenor, bass, snare and instructed (Jessie was the longest serving member of the Girls’ Band, being a member for over 40 years); Audrey was a piper with the Girls’ Band; Ruth played tenor drum with the Girls’ Band and Evelyn was a Highland Dancer.