Gordon Parkes

    Richard and Gordon Parkes constituted a unique combination involving two of the country's - and for that matter the world's - leading authorities on the noble art of piping and drumming.

Musicians par excellence, the Parkes brothers have, down the years, endeavoured to assemble a group of pipers and drummers whose talents and ability would always do honour to the famous name they bore.

Following Field Marshall Montgomery's elevation to the premier division in the late 80's, Richard & Gordon set the band 3 prime objectives:-

- Firstly, it was the maintenance of their position as the best in their division at domestic level; i.e. the competition circuit on home ground.

- Secondly, was the achievement of a regular top six placement on the Grade 1 leaderboard in the five RSPBA 'majors'.

- Thirdly, and perhaps, the most important objective of the band following upgrading was that of being the first Northern Ireland pipe band to bring a major championship award out of Scotland and back to the province.

During a lifetime of endeavour, many others had 'fallen by the wayside' in attempting such a goal, but in just three seasons of Grade 1 involvement, the Field Marshal Montgomery band led by the Parkes brothers had accomplished their triad of attainment.

At the end of the 1998 competition season Gordon stepped down as leading tip, due to increased work commitments.  Gordon had been in the position for almost two decades.  During his final year in charge of the back-line, the corps won their third All Ireland award, which included the retention of the title they had lifted twelve months previously.  On top of that, the corps finished third in the World event and ended up in a similar position in the mainland ‘majors’ league.