The band was founded in 1945 in the townland of Drumalig, a few miles from Carryduff on the outskirts of Belfast.

[1] A group of farmer’s sons had decided to form a band and name it after Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery.

[1][2] Around 1970 Field Marshal merged with Raffrey Pipe Band to become Freymont, which played in Grade 3, but in 1976 it was decided to reform the band as Field Marshal Montgomery under the leadership of Ricky Newell owing to the balance of players in Freymont.

[1] Parkes was awarded an MBE in the 2004 Birthday Honours for services to pipe band music in Northern Ireland.

[1] After 43 years, in September 2024, Richard Parkes retired as Pipe Major of the band.