Marching to the Beat: Pipers, Parades and Unforgettable Performances

Gordon’s School is an establishment seeped in history and ceremony. Founded in 1885 by Queen Victoria, the school was established as a national memorial to war hero and philanthropist Major-General Charles George Gordon. Since then, the school has grown rapidly in size and success over the years, including its Combined Cadet Force (CCF) contingent, which is made up of the tri-services – Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

The school recently celebrated its 140th anniversary, and their contingent was at the forefront of the celebrations. We caught up with Gordon’s School CCF to learn about their recent achievements and to find out the next big challenges in store.

A Royal Occasion

Back in June 2025, the CCF’s Pipes and Drums experienced a once in a lifetime opportunity as they performed for His Majesty, The King (who is also the school’s patron) at Windsor Castle. The performance was held to commemorate the school’s 140th anniversary, with the Pipes and Drums band playing in various locations associated with General Charles Gordon. Windsor Castle was the perfect place to perform as it holds General Gordon’s Bible, which was given to Queen Victoria in 1885.

For the special performance, Drum Major Lucy Carter led the Pipes and Drums through the George IV Gateway and into the Quadrangle of the Cadets. Watched by hundreds of tourists, the band played several traditional Scottish melodies, and the drummers also performed the ‘Drummers Beating.’

The King spent time with the entire band and afterwards, they presented His Majesty with a copy of ‘Gordon’s Crown,’ - a special piece of music composed by students Harry Gordon and Logan Green alongside the Senior Pipe Major Iona Scotson to mark the occasion.

The King’s Pipe Major, Paul Burns, spoke directly to the band and commented “The King thoroughly enjoyed it. The sound of it inside the quadrangle was absolutely fantastic, well done everybody, keep up the hard work!”

Headmaster Andrew Moss spoke of his pride and added “This is probably the most unique thing you have done, so keep it, treasure it and look after it. The King said, ‘I do hope the Pipes and Drums keeps going forever.’”

A Parade to Remember

17 January 2026 saw the Pipes and Drums band lead over 200 students down Whitehall and along to the statue of General Gordon at the Thames Embankment. The school is the only one in the UK that is permitted to march along this iconic venue, and it is an annual event carried out in remembrance of General Gordon.

The parade was inspected in King Charles Street by the Chairman of the Gordon’s School Trustees, Lieutenant General Sir Richard Cripwell KBE CB.

Parents, teaching staff and tourists then joined the contingent for a short service which was conducted by the School Chaplain, the Reverend Graham Wright. Three wreaths were also laid at the statue on behalf of the school, as well as a wreath being laid on behalf of the Gordon family.

Bugler Ben Hallett has sounded the Last Post and the Reveille for the past six years for the school and the Whitehall parade marked his last performance as a student and cadet. Pipe Major Rory Green also performed The Lament, Flowers of the Forest.

Looking Ahead

It looks set to be a busy year for Gordon’s School CCF, with the contingent taking part in ranges at Longmoor, working the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and enjoying summer camps!

Congratulations to all who took part in these momentous occasions! We’re looking forward to seeing what Gordon’s School CCF gets up to next!