Royal Naval Pipers’ Society uniform: kilt flashes

This pair of kilt flashes were part of a piper’s uniform from the Royal Naval Pipers’ Society (RNPS). They belonged to J. Haynes, Royal Naval Scientific Service (RNSS). The kilt flashes are made from blue woollen ribbon, folded into loops and cut into chevrons at one end. They were worn on a garter around the tops of the kilt hose (ZBB0550).

The RNPS was a voluntary association formed in 1951 by Captain David Mellis (1915–2006) to bring together pipers serving across the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Commandos. The Navy has never had an official pipe band, but various ships, shore establishments and marine battalions have had their own voluntary ones. The RNPS provided a centralised hub to govern and support this activity. It also had its own band, which performed at parades and special occasions, such as at the annual Festival of Royal Naval Voluntary Bands. Commander Campbell Donald de Burgh has written that the RNPS encouraged recognition of the pipes as an instrument “which contributed to the welfare of those who serve”. For performances, the RNPS devised its own uniform, based on No. 1 Highland Dress. Douglas Ancient Tartan was selected for the uniform because its blue-green hues recalled the colours of the sea. Due to an insufficient number of serving personnel in its membership, the Society ceased to operate in 2014, but its work is continued by the Royal Navy Pipe Band Association.

The uniform’s owner, J. Haynes, was an active member of the RNPS. He spent thirty-six years in the Royal Navy, working with the Admiralty Research Laboratory (or ARL). Initially employed as a design draughtsman, later went on sea trials to test prototypes and finished his career as site manager of the ARL’s main sites in Teddington and its various outstations. He learnt to play the bagpipes while completing his National Service with the RAF in Singapore and subsequently joined his local London pipe band, ‘Pride of Murray’ in Southall. Alongside his involvement with the RNPS, he also regularly played with the London Scottish Regiment and the London Irish Regiment. He composed the tune ‘Cockney Jocks’ in tribute the London Scottish Regiment, and the tune is now routinely played by pipe bands worldwide.

Throughout his career, Haynes used his mechanical skills to design and make piper’s metalware for his own and other bands. His creations include the plaid brooch and sporran metalwork of the RNPS uniform. Both feature rope borders as opposed to the more traditional thistles or shamrocks in a nod to the naval context. The plaid brooch also features a fouled anchor.

See ZBB0541–59 for all parts of the uniform.