The North West Region Army Band
The North West Region Army Band is regarded to be the successor of the 16th Artillery Regiment created back in 1854. The glorious history of the Regiment enlists the battles of Alma and Inkerman of the Crimean Campaign, the battle of Solferino of the Italian Campaign, the Chinese Expedition of 1884–1885, followed by campaigns in North Africa (1876) and Tonkin (Vietnam, 1885).
The 16th Artillery took part in the most important battles of the World War One, including Somme, Aisne and Verdun. In 1918 it has been awarded the «Croix de Guerre», and then again in 1940 for its participation in the defense of Dunkerke. Since 1983 the Division along with the Band have been stationed Rennes.
Throughout its history the North West Region Army Band has been preserving and enhancing the military musical heritage of Brittan by displaying its regional origins through the use of a typical and representative instrument — the bagpipes.
