Pipe Major 48th Highlanders of Canada

1985-2007

Alexander “Sandy” Dewar started learning the bagpipes at age seven from his father, the late Pipe Major Archie Dewar. The Dewar family is well known in the 48th Regimental family having had 10 family members serve in the 48th Highlanders to date with continuous service in the Pipes and Drums between 1928 and 2021.  His three sons, Ian, Colin and James played in the Pipes and Drums as senior NCOs.

In November 1959 at the age of twelve  he started playing with the 48th Highlanders. His first band engagement was 13 December 1959. On 2 May 1962, he was sworn into the Regiment at the age of fourteen. Promoted Lance Corporal in 1966. by 1977 he was a Warrant Officer, He was appointed acting Pipe Major in August 1985 and promoted to Master Warrant Officer in November of that year. On 1 January 1986, he was officially appointed Pipe Major of the 48th Highlanders. and promoted to Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) on 1 May 1987. Pipe Major Dewar led the band played throughout Canada and the USA and to Europe, including: Holland, Italy, and Poland.  At the time of his retirement in 2007 Pipe Major Sandy Dewar was the senior serving Pipe Major in  the Canadian Forces.