THE GIANT DRUM MAJORS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, 30 January 1909, Page 2

THE GIANT DRUM MAJORS.

SOME INTERESTING DETAILS. Sergeant-Major Roderick Bain M'Kenzie, one of the giant drummajors of the Kilties Band, called at this office to-day, and introduced himself to the editor. lie had to make an involuntary bow when entering the sanctum, as his bnsby considerably overtoppod the room door. Tlie Sergeant-Major, who is 32 years of ago, is 7ft. 2V£in. in height, and broad and) big in proportion, weighing 24st 4Vi]bs. He belongs to the British Army reserve, and served with the 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders enlisting in Canada, but being stationed in Scotland, India, and elsewhere with the regiment. He fought in the Boer war with General Buller's force in Natal, and throughout the war immediately under General Lord lan Hamilton, and he carri-es several wounds sunstained in the hottest of the warfare at Spionkop, Magersfontein, etc. He is a Canadian himself, being born at Lncknow, Ontario, in 1877, and his parents wer« of Cape Bro'on, Nova Scotia. But he comes of true Scottish Highland stock, his father's ancestry claiming Loch Carron> and his mother's Loch, Alch, as their home. Sergt.-Major M'Kenzie met the Kilties at the St. Louis World's Fair, when he had gone home after the war in South Africa, and there he joined them, touring with them ever since. Later on he will go to London, having been offered an appointment in the Royal Household, Buckingham Palace, 'as one of the two private bodyguards of His Majesty the King. The 'Sergt.-Major not only wears his Boer and other war medals on his war-worn tunic, Tint ho also has several medals won in athletic fioutPsts, for he has an unbeaten rpcord in numerous Highland sports, such as tossing the caber, wrestling' throwing the hammer, etc. Drum-Major Donald M'Cormaek the other giant leader of the Kilties' was formerly of the 48th Gordon Highlanders at Toronto. He ia taller that Sergt.-Major M'Kenzie, being 7ft. 4%in. in weight; but he is much more slender, being of the comparatively light weight of 16 or 17 stenes. He is of lowland descent. Later on something about the career of DrumMajor M'Cormaek may also be given. The two giants, whose arrival in the city has caused a considerable, sensation, are the forerunners of the- Band, whicjh will give concerts In Mulson next weelc. The Nelson Citizens' Band gave a Successful profjrammo of music at the corner of Trafalgar and Bridge-streets last evening.