Edmund Esson, one of only two in the Canadian Army allowed to wear a beard, had an impressive military career. Enlisting in the 72nd Seaforth Cadet Corps in 1919, he was promoted to the rank of Pipe-Major in 1937 which position he held for thirty years. During this time he became the Senior Pipe-Major of the British Empire until his retirement from the military after forty-six years of servce. Edmund Esson was a Charter Member of the British Columbia Pipers' Association at its foundation in the summer of 1932. His many contributions to the organisation were recognised by the granting to him of an Honorary Life Membership in 1961.
The Seaforth Highlanders returned to Canada towards the end of 1945. A Welcome Home Dinner, for the Regiment's Pipe Band, was given by the BCPA on the 12th of October and, from all accounts, it was quite an affair!
The following extract, from a letter sent by an ex-Seaforth, is relevent to the joint Seaforth/North Irish Horse burial service held on 25th May 1944. 
On Parade in Vancouver, 1946
"I have seen the photograph of Ed Esson playing his pipes at the funeral parade, coming out of a fog bank, with a full beard. Once you see it shivers will go down your spine, you can just feel the emotion of the day in it. Probably the best picture ever taken of a piper doing his job."The World of Piping lost a giant when Edmund Esson died on 25th June 1981 in Vancouver. For those of us who were present on that May evening in 1944, he will never be forgotten. His obituary, reproduced with permission, was published in the "Pipers Times" Vol.34, No.3, December 1981.
Links to sites in which Edmund Esson is mentioned. Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - Pipes and Drums
British Columbia Pipers' Association - History Page
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