The formation of the Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC) Pipe Band was authorized on August 8, 1942. Lillian M. Grant of Victoria, British Columbia, an accomplished piper and leader of the women's pipe band "The Highland Lassies," was recruited as the band's pipe major and given the task of founding the new CWAC Pipe Band. It was hoped that the Pipe Band and its sister ensemble, the CWAC Brass Band, could improve public perception of women in the military and encourage more women to join the forces. At full strength, the CWAC Pipe Band consisted of 27 drummers and pipers, 26 from various parts of Canada, and one member from the United States. The Pipe Band gained tremendous popularity on its two coast-to-coast tours of Canada and briefly assisted the United States government with their war bond drive. Following VE Day the Pipe Band traveled to Europe to entertain the troops, performing mainly in England, Holland, Belgium, Germany, and France. The band was deactivated in 1946 following the conclusion of the war. The CWAC Pipe Band had the distinction of being the only active-service women's military pipe band in the Commonwealth during the second World War, and it remains the only women's military pipe band in Canadian history.