During his primary school years Bill commenced piping under the tutelage of his Uncle, Robert Sinclair. As they were next door neighbours Bill spent most of his free time having as many lessons as Uncle Robert could give him.
It was shortly after this that he joined the ranks of the Fremantle Junior Pipe Band. From there and with Uncle Robert, he was to join the 7th Field Ambulance Pipe Band also located in Fremantle. However, the Army Reserve beckoned and Bill signed up with the 16th Battalion RWAR Pipes and Drums (now known as Australian Army Pipes and Drums Perth) practicing out of the Drill Hall on Canning Hwy.
Bill was a founding member of the Celtic Pipes & Drums which became the WA Irish Pipe Band and before moving to the goldfields he joined the ranks of the City of Fremantle Caledonian Pipe Band. Across these years and to the end he was involved in tutoring many new and not so new pipers. He was also a good solid bass drummer and back in the late 1960’s completed with distinction the Drum Majors course at the Army School Of Music in Balcombe, Victoria.
A very good solo piper he was never happier than with his pipes over his shoulder. A talented highland dancer himself, he was often called upon to teach many pipers or drummers to dance. Over the past 30 odd years he has enjoyed the privilege of being Pipe Major, tutor and mentor of the Eastern Goldfields Highland Pipe Band. A true character with a good sense of humour Bill had plenty of stories to tell.
by Kerry Jones & Marie Hastings – Bill’s Sisters
