Father Time is rapidly winning the war Nazi Germany never could. The few still surviving veterans of the Allied Forces’ invasion of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944 are all now in their late 90s or more than a century old. That’s why most observers believe this summer’s large event commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day is likely the last of its kind: with a significant number of the actual veterans who participated in the daring attack on hand to be honored.

Among the thousands of people who participated in this summer’s Normandy invasion commemoration were more than 100 Utahns associated with a musical performing group that actually predates D-Day.

The Taylorsville-based Utah Pipe Band was established in 1937 by Robert Barclay, who was born in Scotland and migrated to America after joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Barclay’s grandson, John Barclay, 69, manages the bagpiping, drumming and Highland dancing
troupe now.

“My grandfather met missionaries in Scotland as a teen and joined the Church,” Barclay explained. “He was shot twice and lost a portion of his lung during World War I. Just a few years after that, he was one of the millions of immigrants who arrived in the United States through Ellis Island.”

Landing in America in 1922, Robert Barclay quickly made his way to Utah. Although his war injuries made it impossible for him to play a wind instrument such as a bagpipe, John Barclay says his grandfather was excited to create the Utah Pipe Band.

“Many of my family members have performed in the band over the years,” he added. “At this point, I have a brother, two children and two grandchildren involved in the group.”

As luck would have it, John Barclay lives next door to Taylorsville Mayor Kristie Overson, who enjoys her neighbors and
their music.

“I am really proud of the Utah Pipe Band,” Overson said. “I have known them for many years. I am so thrilled the Barclay roots are here in Taylorsville. I have loved hearing them play their bagpipes for a
long time.”

The Utah Pipe Band travelled to Hawaii in December 2021 to perform during the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was during that trip when organizers of the D-Day commemoration first began to talk with the Taylorsville group about making their way to France this summer.

“Our entourage in Normandy had 119 people, including 30 pipers, 23 drummers and four dancers,” Barclay said. “The others were friends and family of group members. Ten of them were part of my
extended family.” 

After arriving in Paris (not quite two months ahead of the Olympic athletes), the Utahns completely filled two buses for the 3 hour drive to Normandy. From there, Barclay says a whirlwind of performances kept the Utah Pipe Band busy for several days. The visit culminated with the band marching and performing in a parade in Sainte-Mère-Église – the first French town liberated by the Allied Forces 80 years ago.

“There was just so much activity while we were there; it was completely frantic,” Barclay concluded. “I was so proud of our group members. They played so well. We had veterans rising out of their wheelchairs to march in place. Everyone was bawling. This was about the most amazing thing I have
ever done.”

Since returning from France, the Utah Pipe Band has continued to perform across the state, including appearances in the Taylorsville Dayzz Parade and the Days of 47 Parade in downtown Salt Lake City. They are also contemplating a return to Paris in less than a year.

“Before we left the D-Day anniversary events, organizers were already asking us to return for the 80th anniversary of V-E Day,” Barclay said. “We’re considering it, but those are expensive trips. The cost for 119 of us to go this summer was about $300,000. We did some fundraising, but it was mostly out of our pockets. So, we’ll have to think about it a little bit.”

As he approaches age 70, Barclay is also in the process of handing off management of the Utah Pipe Band to a relative. At the risk of some confusion, John Barclay says the next person to coordinate group activities will be Jon Barclay – this one without an “H” in his name.

“Jon is my cousin Scott’s son,” Barclay said. “He’s already taken over some of the management duties. I know he will do a
great job.”

“John is just a monument in the band – with them 60 years or so,” Jon Barclay said. “I’m happy to help him out with anything
he needs.”

Jon Barclay’s family is quite active in the Utah Pipe Band. He and his son Evan play pipes, younger son Grant is a base drummer and a third son, Dean, operates the group’s flying drone, making videos of their performances.

“My Dad was a pipe player back in the 1980s; but I just started playing five years ago,” Jon Barclay said. “Evan and I took bagpipe lessons together. Playing is in our family heritage and we didn’t want to let it die on the vine. It took us about a year to get up
to speed.”

Jon and Evan were scheduled to make their debut with the Utah Pipe Band at Taylorsville High School in March 2020.

“It was going to be a St. Patrick’s Day concert – scheduled for the very day everything went into lockdown due to COVID-19,” he said. “We ended up playing a few funerals in 2020. But we didn’t really get active with the entire band until the Pearl Harbor Day commemoration in Honolulu in December 2021.”

Utah Pipe Band members live all across our state, from St. George to Ogden. To see the group’s performance schedule – or to get information on learning to play bagpipes yourself – visit utahpipeband.org. λ