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RHLI |
 Hamilton Viscounts |
JAMES
EDWARD INRIG
By: Fred Johnson
On December 26, 2003 Jim Inrig passed away at his home in Hamilton. Jim was
in his 71st year and is survived by his wife Connie, his children Mark, Joseph
and Paula and eleven grandchildren.
Jim started drumming in 1947 with the famous Royal Hamilton Light Infantry
Bugle Band rehearsing at the James Street North Armouries in Hamilton, Ontario.
His first rudiments were learned and practised on the then standard 14"x12" British
Army style rope drum. The RHLI originally played with "straight & crook" Bflat
army bugles. Later, they moved on to Bflat single piston bugles and 15" high
tension drums.
Jim (nicknamed "The Colonel") instructed the RHLI and several Drum
Corps in the Hamilton and surrounding area: The Hamilton Viscounts, Hamilton
Conqueror and Preston Scout House. Jim was very instrumental in the formation
of the Hamilton Firefighters Drum Corps in 1961 and instructed there for many
years. As one of the early CADRE members, Jim formed the Heritage Hands Hamilton
Drum Club.
When I first met Jim in the mid 1950's it was obvious that he had an undying
passion for good rudimental drumming. He was a drum instructor’s dream:
listen, absorb, question, then come back next week with the job done. Wayne
Peters - as a drumming buddy and close personal friend - will miss him to no
end. As an instructor, I will never forget him. The Hamilton drumming scene,
the Firefighters and CADRE has lost a great one. We know he is up there working
out on the great practice pad in the sky. God bless you Jim.
In the above photo of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Bugle Band (RHLI),
Jim is the RHLI's Lead Drummer - left side of the drum line - and his father: "Jim
senior” is the Bugle Major. In the Viscounts’ photo, Jim is also
shown on the left side of the drum line.
In addition, two of Jim's solos are available here for download. One is dedicated
to his grandson "Josh", who unfortunately passed away at a tender
young age. The other solo is dedicated to his personal friend and long-time
drumming buddy Wayne Peters.
Solos (PDF)