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First appearing in 1914, Pioneer records cost 1/6 each, but, if you traded in an old record in part-exchange, the price reduced to 9d. They were pressed for J. Blum and Co, initially in Germany, then subsequently by the Disc Record Company of Harrow. The labels were initially black, later changing to red, and they were quite short-lived, being only available until early 1915.

The first series, with the black labels, had a numerical catalogue number, starting probably at 1 and running up to about 170.

The subsequent red-labelled issues had an alphabetic prefix, rather like Victory, Diploma &c

There was also a plain white label called PIONEER which was pasted over existing records; the example I've seen was pasted over a John Bull record using Favorite masters. This example had no catalogue number, but had face numbers in a 4000 series.

 
Courtesy of Norman Field

The initial information mostly came from Arthur Badrock; more information is gratefully received.

Other people who have helped: Mike Atkins, Paul Buck, Greg Butler, Paul Cleary, Mike Comber, Graham Farnell, Norman Field, Rob Godridge, Mike Langridge, Ian McPherson, John Norman, Alan Williams.

Page last updated on: April 26, 2023

Cat No. Matrix No Title Artist Notes
1        
2        
3        
4        
5        
6        
7        
8        
9        
10        
11        
12        
13        
14        
15        
16        
17        
18        
19        
20        
21        
22        
23        
24        
25        
26        
27        
28        
29        
30        
31        
32        
33        
34        
35        
36        
37        
38        
39        
40        
41        
42        
43        
44        
45        
46        
47        
48        
49        
50        
51        
52        
53        
54        
55        
56  

 

   
57        
58 031261
031374
Waiting At The Church
Second Conu Guards
Pioneer Military Band  
59 031070
031390
I Lee I Low [sic]
Not Because Your Hair Is Curly
Sammy Bass  (= George P Watson (yodeller))
Sammy Bass (= Arthur Collins)
ARC
60 5358 / X138
031334
Coon Medley
Silence And Fun
Pioneer Military Band US recording from Odeon 
61 031242
031291
I Am Getting Sleepy
He's Nobody's Friend, Not Even His Own
Sammy Bass (= Arthur Collins)  
62 5352
031379
Busy Bee march
March Though Catshaw [sic - anninced as "March From Boccaccio"]
Pioneer Military Band
ARC
63        
64 031340
031412
Riding Through The Glen
Alice Bleu Waltz
Pioneer Military Band ARC
65        
66        
67 1238
5356
Flying Dutchman
The Village Munster
Pioneer Military Band  
68 031263 / 601.2
031314 / 857-2
Birds At The Brook
California Dance
Pioneer Military Band (= Joe Belmont (whistling, with orch))
anonymous (= Pierre Leo (clarinet, with orch))
US Odeon
US Odeon
69        
70        
71        
72        
73        
74        
75        
76        
77        
78        
79        
80        
81        
82        
83        
84        
85        
86        
87        
88        
89        
90        
91        
92        
93        
94        
95        
96        
97        
98        
99        
100        
101        
102 1651 The Blue Danube Royal Military Band  
103 1801
1802
"Carmen", selection parts 1 & 2 (Bizet) Royal Military Band  
104 1810
1814
Il Trovatore
Cavalleria Rusticana
Royal Military Band  
105 1807
1830
Unfinished Symphony (Schubert)
Tannhauser Overture (Wagner)
Royal Military Band  
106   Hungarian Rhapsody, No. 2, parts 1 & 2 Royal Military Band  
107 1811
1835
La Danse Des Apaches
Light Cavalry Overture
Royal Military Band  
108        
109 1836
1837
"Faust", parts 1 & 2 (Gounod) Royal Military Band  
110 1838
1839
William Tell, parts 1 & 2 Royal Military Band  
111 1840
1841
William Tell, parts 3 & 4 Royal Military Band  
112        
113        
114 2004
2004
Beethoven: Symphony No.1; 2nd movement
(parts 1 & 2)
Royal Military Band  
115        
116        
117 1633
1899
Annie Laurie
"Maritana" - In Happy Moments
Madame Jomelli (soprano) (as Rose Thornton on some issues)
Alan Turner (baritone
 
118 1596
1873
The Rosary
Star Of Eve
Robert Carr (baritone)
Alan Turner (baritone)
 
119 1862
2054
When All Was Young
A Soldier's Song
Jessie Broughton
Alan Turner (baritone)
 
120        
121 1905
1906
The Diver
Drinking
Tom Watts (= Tom Kinniburgh)  
122 030809
031301 / 617
A Bit O' Blarney
Yankee Girl
F. Ferreres (banjo) (= Vess Ossman)  
123 2053
2055
The Irish Emigrant
Venetian Song
Alan Turner  
124 2071
2072
Excelsior, parts 1 & 2 Robet Carr & Gwilym Richards (duet)
[some copies play an unidentified military band medley]
 
125        
126        
127 2105
2106
When Ev'nings Twilight
Lovely Night
Oxford Minstrels (vocal quintet)  
128 2107
2109
Piccaninni LullBby
My Old Kentucky Home
Oxford Minstrels (quartette)  
129        
130        
131   Gounod's Serenade
Schubert's Serenade
Schumann Quartette  
132 031060 / 1060
031061 / 1001
I Fear No Foe
The Battle Cry For Freedom   [X968 in wax]
E. G. Barnett (= Frank Stanley)
E. G. Barnett (= Byron Harlan & Frank Stanley)

 
133 2490
2491
Imitation of F. Tinney, parts 1 & 2 Vernon Watson  
134 2459
2460
Softly Awakes My Heart
The Rosary
Jack Glover  
135 2522
2523 / D12
Home To Our Mountains
"Il Trovatore" - Miserere
Gwilym Richards & Carrie Lanceley (duet)  
136 2484
2521
Come Into The Garden Maud
Killarney
Gwilym Richards  
137 2573
2576
The Pantomime
Billy's Christmas Eve
Jack Charman & Co.  
138 2574
2575
Jack Charman & Company's Christmas Share Out
Jack Charman & Company's Christmas Reunion
Jack Charman & Co.  
139 2527
2560
Holy, Holy, Holy
It Is Well
Robert Carr  
140 2529
2533
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
Safe In The Arms Of Jesus
Robert Carr  
141 232 GG
233 GG
Rienzi, overture, parts 1 & 2 Royal Military Band  
142        
143   Raymond, overture, parts 1 & 2 Royal Military Band  
144        
145        
146 40439 Banjo Selection  (actually "Sambo's Picnic") F. Ferreres (banjo) (= John Pidoux) from Beka 96
147 2603 Maritana Stephens & Mitchell (Accordion duet)  
148 2606
2609
Men Of Harlech
Come Back To Erin
Stephens & Mitchell (Accordion duet)  
149        
150        
151        
152        
153        
154 2685
2699
Marseillaise
God Save The King
Royal Military Band (with vocal effects) (vocalist: Albert Chapman)
155 2686
2700
God Bless The Prince Of Wales
Russian National Anthem
Royal Military Band (with vocal effects)  
156        
157 2701
2702
Belgium National Anthem
Servian National Anthem
Royal Military Band  
158 031261 / 560.2
031374
Second Conu Guards (sic) (Announced as "Second Connecticut March")
Waiting At The Church
Pioneer Military Band ARC
159 031070
031392
I Lee I Low [sic]
Not Because Your Hair Is Curly
Sammy Bass (= George P Watson (yodeller))
Sammy Bass (= Arthur Collins)
ARC
160 5358
031334
Coon Medley (announced as "The Bullfrog And The Coon")
Silence And I (accounced as "Silence And Fun")
Pioneer Military Band ARC
161 031242
031291
I Am Getting Sleepy
He's Nobody's Friend, Not Even His Own
Sammy Bass (= Arthur Collis) ARC
162        
163        
164 031340
031412
Riding Through The Glen
Alice Bleu Waltz
Pioneer Military Band ARC
165 031376
031023
Rare Bit Friends
Red March (announced as "Northern Belles")
Pioneer Military Band ARC
166 031299
031327
Wait 'Till The Sun Shines, Nellie
Beyond The Smiling And The Weeping
The Pioneer Quartette ARC
167        
168 031263 / 601.2
031314 / 857-2
Birds At The Brook
California Dance
Pioneer Military Band (= Joe Belmont (whistling, with orch))
Pioneer Military Band (= Pierre Leo (clarinet, with orch))
US Odeon or ARC
US Odeon or ARC
169        

Now for the Prefixed series:

Cat No. Matrix No Title Artist
A-1 1816
1835
Old Comrades March
Light Cavalry, overture
Band of Royal Horse Guards (Blues)
A-2      
A-3      
A-4 1800
1834
Coronation Bella
Bells Of St. Malo
Band of Royal Horse Guards (Blues)
A-5      
A-6      
A-7 1836
1837
Faust, parts 1 & 2 Band of Royal Horse Guards (Blues)
A-8 1828
1881
Post Horn Galop
1812 Overture
Band of Royal Horse Guards (Blues)
A-9 1803
1804
Zampa, parts 1 & 2 Band of Royal Horse Guards (Blues)
A-10      
A-11 1810
1814
Il Tovotore
Cavalleria Risticana, selection
Band of Royal Horse Guards (Blues)
A-12      
A-13      
A-14      
A-15 1616
1620
Inperial Edward, march
The Crusader, march
Pioneer Military Band
A-16 1654
1807
"Cavalleria Rusticana" - Intermezzo
Schubert's Unfinished Symphony
Royal Military Band
Band of Royal Horse Guards (Blues)
A-17      
A-18      
A-19      
A-20 1614
1621
The Thunderer, march
The Gladiator, march
Pioneer Military Band
A-21   Ballet Russe - Czardas
Ballet Russe - valse lente
Band of Royal Horse Guards (Blues)
A-22 1651
1843
Blue Danube Waltz
Ballet Russe - Marche Russe
Pioneer Military Band
Band of Royal Horse Guards (Blues)
A-23 1650
1822
Wee MacGregor Patrol
Roaming In The Gloaming march
Pioneer Military Band
Band of Royal Horse Guards (Blues)
A-24 1649
1652
Gipsy Love
Gold And Silver
Pioneer Military Band
A-25      
A-26      
A-27   Hungarian Rhapsody, parts 1 & 2 (Liszt) Band of Royal Horse Guards (Blues)
A-28      
A-29 1885
1887
Venus On Earth
The Jolly Coppersmith
Pioneer Military Band
A-30      
A-31   Coppelia, ballet music, parts 1 & 2 (Delibes) Band of Royal Horse Guards (Blues)
A-32      
A-33      
A-34      
A-35      
A-36      
A-37      
A-38      
A-39      
A-40      
A-41 2000
2007
Gotterfunken
The Commandment, march
Band Of Duke Of Wellington's Own
A-42      
A-43      
A-44      
A-45 2001
2017
Le Nozzi Di Figaro
Tales Of Hoffman
Band Of Duke Of Wellington's Own
A-46 2008
2009
"Oh! Oh! Delphin", parts 1 & 2 Band Of Duke Of Wellington's Own
A-47      
A-48 2020
2022
The Wedding Glide (intro: Bacchanal Rag)
Ragtime Violin
Band Of Duke Of Wellington's Own
A-49 1883
2021
Teddy Bear's Picnic
Mysterious Rag
Pioneer Military Band
Band Of Duke Of Wellington's Own
A-50      
A-51      
A-52 2069
2070
Dance Of The Flowers
Always Gay
Royal Symphony Orchestra
A-53 2015
2016
The Billboard March
The National Emblem
Band Of Duke Of Wellington's Own
A-54   Rienzi, pverture parts 1 & 2 Band Of Duke Of Wellington's Own
A-55   "The Marriage Market", selection parts 1 & 2 Band Of Duke Of Wellington's Own
A-56   The Grail Song
Funeral March
Band Of Duke Of Wellington's Own
A-57 221 gg
242 gg
Steadfast And True
Puppchen, two-step
Band Of Duke Of Wellington's Own
A-58   Raymond, overture parts 1 & 2 Band Of Duke Of Wellington's Own
A-59   "The Girl On The Film", selection
Un Pen D'Amour
Band Of Duke Of Wellington's Own
A-60      
A-61      
A-62      
A-63      
A-64      
A-65      
A-66      
A-67      
A-68 2694
2699
Brittania, The Pride Of The Ocean
God Save The King
The Pioneer Band (= Band of Royal Horse Guards (Blues) ?)
A-69 2685
2688
The Marsellaise, march
The Belgian National Anthem
The Pioneer Band
A-70 2700
 
The Russian National Anthem
The Red, White And Blue
The Pioneer Band
A-71 2686
 
God Bless the Prince Of Wales
Jerrias Royal Salutre and Japanese Anthem
The Pioneer Band
A-72 2697 or 2681
2682
Eternal Father Strong To Save
Onward Christian Soldiers
The Pioneer Band (= Band of Royal Horse Guards (Blues) ?)
A-73 2695
2701
It's A Long, Long Way To Tipperary
Belgian National Anthem and La Marsellaise
Pioneer Military Band
A-74      
A-75      
A-76      
A-77      
A-78      
A-79      

 

Cat No. Matrix No Title Artist
B-1 1596
1663
The Rosary
It's A Story That Shall Live For Ever
Robert Carr (baritone)
B-2 1889
1891
Rocked In The Cradle Of The Deep
Out Of The Deep
T.F. Kinniburgh (bass)
B-3 1244
1272
Sympathy
In Sweet September
Jessie Broughton (contralto)
B-4      
B-5      
B-6      
B-7      
B-8      
B-9 1896
1897
The Sea Road
Drake Goes West
T. F. Kinniburgh (bass)
B-10 1605
1867
Little Shepherdess Of Devon
Take A Pair Of Sparkling Eyes
Robert Carr (baritone)
Albert Watson
B-11      
B-12   Annie Laurie
Bood-Bye
Madame Jeanne Jomelli
B-13      
B-14 1634
1635
The Land Of I Dunno Where
The Land Of Some Day
Robert Carr (baritone)
B-15      
B-16      
B-17      
B-18 1893
1898
Love's Old Sweet Song
She Is Far From The Land
Alan Turner (baritone)
B-19      
B-20 1972
1894
The Yeoman's Wedding Song
Toreador's Song ("Carmen" - Bizet)
Alan Turner (baritone, with orch)
B-21      
B-22      
B-23 1601
1662
Yesterday You Called Me Sweetheart
Silver Bell
Robert Carr (baritone)
The Two Quids
B-24      
B-25      
B-26      
B-27      
B-28      
B-29      
B-30 2029
2081
Abide With Me
Pro-A-Mas
Tom F. Kinniburgh (bass)
Robert Carr (baritone)
B-31      
B-32      
B-33      
B-34      
B-35      
B-36   Queen Of My Heart
Oh, Promise Me
Alan Turner (baritone)
B-37      
B-38 2074
2079
I Never Knew What "Sweetheart" Meant Till I Met You
My Heart Is Ever True
Robert Carr (baritone)
B-39 2095
2096
Nirvana
The Trumpeter
Archie Anderson (baritone)
B-40   Home To Ouir Mountains
Miserere Scene
Mr. G. Richards & Miss C. Lanceley
B-41      
B-42 2097
2099
When Love Creeps In Your Heart
Don't Play That Old Love Melody
W. Thompson (= Will Thompson) (tenor)
B-43      
B-44      
B-45 2485
2486
Because
Thora
Gwilym Richards
B-46      
B-47 2521
 
Killarney
Mother Machree
Gwilym Richards
B-48 246 gg
2451
Melinda's Wedding Day
Take Me In Your Arms And Say You Love Me
The Two Quids
B-49   On The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine
I Want The Whole World To Know
Robert Carr (baritone)
B-50 2489
2525
My Southern Maid
My Little Persian Rose
The Two Quids
Robert Carr
B-51      
B-52      
B-53      
B-54      
B-55 2623
2626
The Sunshine Of Your Smile
To Have, To Hold, To Love
G. Hayes (baritone) (= Stanley Kirkby)
B-56   Last Night Was The End Of The World
I Was Dreaming Of You Last Night
G. Hayes (baritone) (= Stanley Kirkby)
B-57      
B-58      
B-59 2670
2673
Sons Of The Sea
Boys In Khaki, Boys In Blue
Harry Cove
B-60   Soldiers Of The King
Tommy Atkins
Harry Cove
B-61 2671
2672
Motherland
You King And Country Need You
Raymond Lowe (baritone) (= Harry Cove)
B-62 2675
2676
The Boys Of The Old Brigade
Land Of Hope And Glory
Thomas Hayward (baritone) (= Robert Carr)
B-63 2689
2690
The Lads In Navy Blue
Call Us And We'll Soon Be There
Thomas Hayward (baritone) (= Robert Carr)
B-64 2691
2692
Fall In
Your King And Country Wants You
Thomas Hayward (baritone) (= Robert Carr)
B-65      
B-66      
B-67      
B-68      
B-69      
B-70      

 

 

Cat No Matrix No Title Artist
C-1      
C-2 1666
1667
Tickle Me, Timothy
Put A Bit Of Powder On It, Father
Billy Wiliams
C-3      
C-4   Jean From Aberdeen
My Girl From London Town
Billy Williams
C-5      
C-6      
C-7 1665
1670
The Old Grey Coat
I Must Go Home To-Night
Billy Williams
C-8      
C-9 1623
1624
Hitchy Koo
The Ragtime Gobin Man
The Two Quids
C-10 1626
1627
I'm Going Back To Dixie
Dicky Bird
The Two Quids
C-11 1641
1642
The Burglar Rag
How Do You Do, Miss Ragtime?
The Two Quids
C-12 1636
1637
Ragtime Cowboy Joe
Waiting For The Robert E. Lee
The Two Quids
C-13 1643
1645
Take Ma Finger Tips, Malinda
If You Want To Please Susannah
The Two Quids
C-14      
C-15      
C-16 1629
1630
Keep On Swinging Me, Charlie
There You Are Again, Mr. Rainbow
Rose Hayes
C-17      
C-18   The International Rag
On The FIrst Dark Night Next Week
Harry Cove
C-19 1657
1661
Pucker Up Your Lips Miss Lindy
Hear That Orchestra Rag
The Two Quids
C-20      
C-21      
C-22 1776
1778
Everybody's Doing It At The Seaside
I Do Like You Susie In Your Sunday Clothes
Jack Charman
C-23      
C-24      
C-25 1797
1798
You Great Big Blue-Eyed Baby
Hello, Hello, London Town
Harry Cove
C-26 1792
1794
Where Shall We Go To-Night?
Where Does Daddy Go When He Goes Out?
Billy Melville (= Jack Charman)
C-27      
C-28      
C-29      
C-30 1795
1846
Can I Get You Alone To-Night ?
Oh, Those Ever-Loving, Wonderful, Beautiful Eyes
Harry Cove
C-31 1847
1850
Have You Seen Our John?
My Boy
Harry Cove
C-32      
C-33      
C-34      
C-35 1863
1864
Goodnight Mr. Moon
We All Go Home In Ragtime
The Two Quids
Jack Charman
C-36 1856
1865
My Irish Maggie
When I Lost You
Harry Cove
C-37 1848
1849
We All Sang Too-Ral-Loo-Ral-Laddie
Let's Go where All The Crowd Goes
Billy Melville (= Jack Charman)
C-38      
C-39 1644
1858
Way Down South
Hello, Little Miss U.S.A.
The Two Quids
Jack Charman
C-40 1793
1859
Follow The Footprints In The Snow
We Don't Care A Button If We Walk Home
Jack Charman
C-41      
C-42 2033
2034
The Doorkeeper At Freightley's
I Want To Sing In Opera
Vernon Watson
C-43      
C-44 2046
2047
On The Mississippi
Kill That Bear
The Two Quids
C-45      
C-46      
C-47 2041
2042
Are You Here, Maggie Mooney?
Dance This With Me, Maggie McGee
Jack Charman
C-48      
C-49      
C-50 1315
 
I Love A Lassie
It's Just Like Being At Home
Vernon Watson
C-51 2031
2061
Just a Wee Deoch-An-Doris
The Night Watchman
Vernon Watson
C-52      
C-53 B1
B2
The Blind Boy
My Fiddle Is My Sweetheart
G.H. Chirgwin
C-54      
C-55      
C-56 2450
2463
The Girl From Boston Town
There's No Place Like London
The Two Quids (Jack Charman only on second side)
C-57      
C-58      
C-59 2474
2475
That's How I Need You
You're My Baby
Will Thompson
C-60      
C-61      
C-62      
C-63      
C-64      
C-65      
C-66 2552
2554
Some Boy
We All March To Trafalgar Square
Jack Charman
C-67   R-R-R-Rip That Melody
Hold Your Hand Out, Naughty Boy
Harry Cove
C-68 2562
2569
Popsy Wopsy
Row Row Row
Harry Cove
The Two Quids
C-69 149 gg
2452
Hey-Ho, Can't You Hear The Steamer?
When The Midnight Choo-Choo
Jack Charman
The Two Quids
C-70 2568
2569
You Didn't Want To Do It, but You Did
Hello There, Little Tommy Atkins
Harry Cove
C-71      
C-72      
C-73      
C-74      
C-75      
C-76      
C-77 1642 How Do You Do, Miss Ragtime? The Two Quids
C-78      
C-79      
C-80      
C-81      
C-82 2618
 
Tennessee Moon
In My Little Cabin Out West
The Two Quids
C-83 2621
 
Where Did You Get That Girl?
Never Mind
The Two Quids
Jack Charman
C-84 2614
2617
Sit Down, You're Rocking The Boat
He'd Have To Get Out, Get Out And Get Under (sic)
Jack Charman
Harry Cove
C-85 2640
 
Silly Dick
I'd Rather Not
Jack G. (= J.W. Gallagher)
C-86 2616
2643
You're A Friend Of Mine
Thumbs Up!
Jack Charman
Jack G. (= J.W. Gallagher)
C-87 2615
2641
La Belle France
Always Eat When You're Hungry
Jack Charman
Jack G. (= J.W. Gallagher)
C-88   Johnson's Laughing Song
Boating
Billy Whitlock
C-89   Laughing All The Day
I Had To Laugh At Once
Billy Whitlock
C-90   Angustura
Aeroplane
Billy Whitlock

 

Cat No. Matrix No Title Artist
D-1 2542
2543
Departure Of The Troupship
Wreck Of The Troupship
Pioneer Military Band
D-2      
D-3      
D-4
D-5      
D-6      
D-7 2678
2693
Departure Of The Troops For France
Arrival Of The Troops In France
(descriptive)
D-8      
D-9      
D-10      

 

Cat No. Matrix No Title Artist
E-1      
E-2      
E-3      
E-4   While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night
Safe In The Arms Of Jesus
Robert Carr (baritone)
E-5      
E-6      
E-7      
E-8      
E-9      
E-10      

 

Cat No. Matrix No Title Artist
F-1 1784
1785
A Banjo Oddity
Sweet Jessamine
Olly Oakley (banjo)
F-2      
F-3 1786
1787
Queen Of The Burlesque
Camptown Carnival
Olly Oakley (banjo)
F-4 1909
1912
Love's Dream After The Ball
I Hear you Calling Me
Schumann Quartet
F-5      
F-6 1788
1789
Lancashire Clogs
Toronto Jig
Olly Oakley (banjo)
F-7      
F-8      
F-9 2454
2455
Fairyland
Secrets
E.W. Rushforth (bells)
F-10      
F-11      
F-12      
F-13      
F-14      
F-15      
F-16      
F-17 2036
2037
Spring Song
Gounod's Serenade
The Schumann Quartette
F-18      
F-19 236 gg
237 gg
Little Grey Home In The West
Ever Thine
Alan Souter (cornet)
F-20      

 

Cat No. Matrix No Title Artist
G-1 2106
2110
Lovely Night
Sweet And Low
Pioneer Minstrels
G-2      
G-3      
G-4      
G-5      
G-6      
G-7      
G-8      
G-9      
G-10      

 

Cat No. Matrix No Title Artist
P-101      
P-102      
P-103      
P-104      
P-105      
P-106      
P-107      
P-108 2547
2548
A Christmas Party, parts 1 & 2 Jack Charman & Company
P-109      
P-110