Andrews' Sabres

The ever quotable John J. Maloney started the Harold T. Andrews AL Post 17 drum & bugle corps in the fall of 1933.  He was a former National Vice-Commander of the Legion and returned from the 1933 Convention determined that Maine should have it's own corps.

They made their first appearance on Memorial Day of 1934. Their Drum Major, William Knight, was found unqualified to march in their first competitive parade, and a striking teenage blonde girl, Maureen Maloney (John's daughter) put down her drum and stepped to the front. They also attended their first State parade. In 1935, the corps appeared at their first American Legion (AL) Nationals parade and were given travelling suits by J.J. Nissen, the baker and uniforms by Col. Wm. Campbell of Goodall Mills. They returned the following year and finished finishing in second place.

In 1937, the Andrews unit entered the field of competition with their first State championship along with a 4^th place finish at the AL Nationals “Junior Division”. The following season, they repeated as State champions and represented the State at the AL Nationals. Unfortunately, the corps wasn’t properly registered and the only option offered was to compete in the “Sons of American Legion” division.

This was not a convenient option as the corps was a mixed group and therefore relinquished their opportunity to compete. This was a disappointing turn of events as the corps was positioned to take a shot at the National championships. While in Los Angeles, they did however visit Catalina Island as guests of Portland native John Ford and met Johnny Weissmuller and Shirley Temple. From 1939 to 1941, the corps won the State championships, with the exception of 1940 which was rained out. They also competed at the AL Nationals in the “Junior Division” finishing 3^rd (1939), 7^th (1940) with new uniforms and 6^th (1941).

Following the end of World War II, the corps resumed activity from 1946 to 1950 as a parade corps at the State championships, including several exhibitions and participated in the AL National preliminaries in 1951, also winning the State championships. From 1952 to 1956, the Andrews crew finished 2^nd at the State championships with the exception of 1953, when they won the crown They also participated in the AL Nationals parade in 1952. In 1957, the corps adopted the name "Andrews’ Sabres" and with new uniforms, they returned to AL National competition, placing 28^th (1957) and 19^th (1958). The corps finished 2^nd at the State contest in 1957 and won the title four consecutive years (1958-1961). They capped off the 1958 season as the Northern New England champions.

In 1960, the corps finished 8^th at the AL Nationals and in 1962, opted to perform in France at the Lion International Concave, forfeiting defense of their State championship that year. Over the next three years, the Sabres placed 3^rd (1963), 5^th (1964) and 3^rd (1965) at the State championships, winning top spot at the 1963 Northern New England circuit finals. In 1966 and 1967, the corps reclaimed their State championship title and competed once again at the AL Nationals, placing 45^th and 38^th respectively. In their final season, they won their last State championship, disbanding in 1970.

The Andrews’ Sabres were the longest active drum and bugle corps from the state of Maine in the history of the activity and performed with distinction and great pride.

 Paul Legault (DCX)

CORPS 1 items

Andrews' Sabres

AndrewsSabres,Portland,ME.Patch1-CrossedSwords(LBE)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by Larry Bell

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