Pipe-Major
John May Huggan

Born on 25.01.30 in Montreal, Canada
Deceased on 31.08.01 in Rheinmuenster, Germany
    
    
Since February 1978
 Since February 1978 Lieutenant, Supplementary Reserve
June 1971-July 1977


 Pipe-Major, CFE Pipes and Drums
Participated in Military and Civilian Events all over Europe, Cyprus and Egypt.
June 1964-June 1971





 Full Sergeant, Acting Pipe-Major, later Pipe-Major
2nd Bn Canadian GuardsThe Canadian Guards won the Military Pipe Band North American Championship in 1965 while John was acting Pipe-Major under Pipe-Major William Sterling,.John later on took over from P/M Stirling to become the last P/M from the Guards.3 RCRFirst P/M of the 3 RCR
January 1954-January 1964 1st Bn Black Watch (RHR) of Canada
Sept-Dec 1953

 A. C. I.
R.C.A.F.
May 1951-September 1953

 Piper
1st Cdn Highland Bn
April 1948-May 1951

 Piper
1st Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders
April 1944-April 1948

 Boy Soldier
Depot Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders

Honorary Appointments and Decorations

  • Medal of Military Merit
  • Canadian Decoration and 2 Clasps
  • UN Medal, Cyprus (1965)
  • Played at a State Dinner for Her Majesty the Queen in Charlottestown, P.E.I. (7 Oct 1964) along with P/M William Sterling, P/M Archie Cairns and Cpl Tommy Lynas
  • Appointed Personal Piper to Brigadier General Alistair Mac Lean in Bermuda (1955-1956)
  • Appointed Personal Piper to G.O.C., 1 Cdn Infantry Division, Major General John Rockingham, DSO (1954-1955)

    Civilian Awards

    • Community Award, CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany (1992)
    • Commendation for Exceptional Duties rendered to the Civilian Engineering Baden-Soellingen Section, CFE, during the Golf War operations (1991)

    John passed away at home, surrounded by his wife of 26 years, Geraldine, and his two sons, Robert-Bruce (25) and Andy (19), after an 8-month battle with liver and lung cancer. All through the last months of his life, he showed exceptional physical and moral courage. The many friends he made during his military career supported him and his family through regular phone calls, e-mails and wish well cards.

    A Memorial Service will be held in Germany on 2 October 2001 led by his Black Watch comrade, WO Ian Clark. John has asked that his son Andy played the Lament for Mary MacLeod. His friends from the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch Nr. 1, 2 and 3, will be in attendance to pay their last respects, as well as the many German friends he made during the 30 years he spent in Germany.

    John was very active up to last November, playing the pipes at various Canadian and American Forces commemorations. He was a familiar sight at Vimy Ridge and other British and Canadian Military Graveyards in Europe. He also was the official piper of the Royal Canadian Legion European Branches.

    Memorial Service to be held at 14:00 hrs in Buehl, Haupstrasse 82 (Fa. Mechler’s Chapel).
    Geraldine Huggan’s address: Zollstrasse 7, D-77836 Rheinmuenter
    Tel: 07227-2467 (home) or 07227-91-2737 (Work).
    PS from Doug Aldridge, former CFN announcer now residing in Smith's Falls, Ont.

    John Huggan was posted to CFB Lahr from Petawawa in 1971. On his retirement from the military, he was employed in the construction engineering department at CFB Baden-Soellingen. In 1980, he moved to Melesse, France with his wife Geraldine and was deeply involved with the War Graves Commission. He returned to Germany in the mid-1980s and resumed civilian employment. John's was every inch a piper and was immediately recognizable by his red beard.
    He was a member of Lafayette Lodge 51 AF&AM and is well-remembered for piping in the haggis at Robbie Burns suppers. His impeccable playing of the pipes added much to military parades and ceremonies.