Chapter VI: Introduction (3)

In the attack by the 2nd Black Watch at Mauquissart, 25th
September, 1915, the pipers took a prominent part, playing
their companies up to and through the German first and second
lines. After three lines had been captured the order to attack
the fourth was given. 736 Piper David Simpson at once dashed
forward playing, followed by his company; he was killed just as
they reached the objective. His bravery earned him the title,
for long after, of "The Piper of Loos." He was recommended for
the Victoria Cross. Further on, 1839 Piper Alexander Macdonald
alternately played from one trench to the next and assisted in
bombing the enemy out of their dugouts. In the third trench he
marched, playing "Macgregor's Gathering," down the trench at
the head of the bombers, and then climbed on to the parapet and
continued playing. He was ultimately wounded and lost his leg.
For his gallantry he was given the D.C.M., but did not long
survive to enjoy the honour as he died soon after his discharge.
At the same time 365 Piper R. Johnstone went on playing until he
fell gassed. As pipers fell out wounded others took their places,
and the battalion was played continuously into and through the
action. It appears to have been a tradition among the pipers
of this battalion that they were always to play whenever an
opportunity occurred. Pipers David Armit and J. Galloway also
played right up to and through the German support trenches.

1198 Pipe Major D. M'LEOD, 4th Black Watch.

Piper M'Leod played his company into action at Loos.

During this action the commanding officer was mortally wounded;
he was brought in, under intense fire, by Pipe Major--then Corpl.
Piper--M'Leod, who received the Military Medal for his gallantry.
He subsequently got a bar to the Medal for repeated acts of
gallantry during the great advance of 1915.

410 Pipe Major ALEXANDER LOW, 4th Black Watch.

Received the Military Medal for devoted attendance to the wounded
at Neuve Chapelle.

1568 Piper ALEXANDER HOWIE, 5th Black Watch.

At Neuve Chapelle Piper Howie greatly distinguished himself in
bringing in casualties. He was killed while performing this duty.
Mentioned in despatches.

Piper R. PIRNIE, }
Piper A. FORBES, } 6th Black Watch.
Piper A. TAINSH, }
Piper R. MAPLETON, }

These men played the battalion in to the attack on High Wood,
14th July, 1916. Though much exposed they escaped unwounded.

Piper FERGUSON, 6th Black Watch.

At Laventie this man marched from one end of the line to the
other playing "Johnny Cope," which aroused the enemy, who,
expecting an immediate attack, at once started a barrage. No
attack was ever intended.

2126 Piper ALASDAIR M'DONALD, 6th Black Watch.

Near Laventie in July, 1916, a small patrol of four men operating
in No Man's Land ran into some Germans, with the result that
two of them were badly wounded and could not get back to our
lines. Volunteers were asked for, and M'Donald and another man
went out. They met a German patrol and dispersed it, but this at
once brought hostile machine gun fire on to them. They had to
hunt about for a considerable time in high grass full of barbed
wire before finding the wounded men, and, in bringing them back,
had to make use of part of a German communication trench. Piper
M'Donald was mentioned in despatches.

290056 Pipe Major THOMAS MACDONALD, }
292440 L/Corpl. G. SWAN, } 7th Black Watch.
200509 Piper A. MANDS, }
Piper GEORGE GALLOWAY, }

All these men received the Military Medal for gallantry in
carrying despatches during the Somme actions. On several
occasions they performed quite invaluable service in this way.

7671 Piper ALEXANDER HENDERSON, 1st Cameron Highlanders.

On October 22nd, 1914, Piper Henderson went out to an officer
of the battalion who was lying wounded in a very exposed
position, and applied first field dressings. He then helped
this officer back to our position under heavy machine gun fire
and then returned to his duty in the ranks. He was awarded the
Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Sergt. JOHNSON, 2nd Cameron Highlanders.

Received the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry on the
night of 11th March, 1917, when on a reconnoitring patrol on the
Struma. He killed the enemy's sentry before he had time to warn
his group, thus enabling the party to account successfully for
five out of seven of the enemy. Also for continuous good work as
sergeant in charge of regimental scouts.

As scout sergeant he subsequently still further distinguished
himself, and by his initiative and daring in incessant patrol
work, materially assisted in gaining complete ascendancy over all
the ground between our own and the Bulgar trenches. "His display
of daring, initiative and courage has been a splendid example to
all the men under him."

56 Pipe Major JOHN ROSS, 4th Cameron Highlanders.

Played the battalion to the attack at Festubert on 17th May,
1915, along with the other pipers of the battalion.

17128 Piper J. SCOBIE, Cameron Highlanders.

Obtained the M.M., D.C.M. for gallantry in action.

9158 Acting Pipe Major J. MACLELLAN, 1st Seaforth Highlanders.

During the advance in Mesopotamia ammunition happened to run
short at a point only 50 yards removed from the Turk trenches.
MacLellan at once volunteered to fetch some, and was killed as he
was bringing it up.

8391 Pipe Major D. MATHIESON, 1st Seaforth Highlanders.

Was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal "for gallant conduct
on many occasions in conveying messages under heavy fire, and
also for gallantry in attending on the wounded on an exposed part
of the line."

9446 Pipe Major NEIL M'KECHNIE, 1st Seaforth Highlanders.

During the engagement at Sheikh Saad on 7th January, 1916, the
battalion had to advance for a long distance over perfectly flat
country under very heavy fire. Casualties among our men were very
numerous. The pipe major and Pipers Colin M'Kay and Alex. M'Kay
at once started playing "Caber Feidh," and continued to do so for
some time. M'Kechnie and Alex. M'Kay were both wounded.

At Neuve Chapelle M'Kechnie had distinguished himself as a
bomber, and was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Russian
Order of St. George.

766 Pipe Major MACKENZIE, 1st Seaforth Highlanders.

Was mentioned in despatches for gallantry in Palestine.

412 Piper WILLIAM BARRY, 1st Seaforth Highlanders.

Went out into No Man's Land under heavy machine gun fire to the
assistance of a wounded comrade who was lying unable to move, and
whose clothing had caught fire. Piper Barry was recommended for
the D.C.M.; he was mentioned in despatches.

529 Piper COLIN M'KAY, 1st Seaforth Highlanders.

During the advance at Sheikh Saad some of the pipers had to bring
up ammunition. The Turkish barrage was generally late and missed
the advancing battalion, but came down behind it; this resulted
in severe casualties among ammunition parties. Piper M'Kay was
specially promoted on the field for gallantry in performing duty
as an ammunition carrier.

201307 Piper P. STEWART, 4th Seaforth Highlanders.

A company on the Ypres sector in September, 1917, had to advance
a distance of nearly two miles over flooded ground badly cut up
by our artillery. The men were very heavily laden with extra
ammunition, bombs, etc.; Piper Stewart played them along until
he fell and damaged his pipes. When they reached their position
volunteers were called for to go out and try to establish
communication with the brigade on the left, whose position was
not known. Piper Stewart went out and performed this task, but
was badly wounded in the arm. He had previously done excellent
work in collecting casualties and putting them in an abandoned
gun emplacement. He was awarded the Military Medal.

599 Piper DONALD M'KAY, 5th Seaforth Highlanders.

Was killed at Beaumont Hamel when carrying despatches. His C.O.
said of him, "It was by devotion such as his that victory was
bestowed on us that day."

21629 Piper D. FRASER, }
4661 Piper B. HAMILTON, } 7th Seaforth Highlanders.

In the attack at Loos, when the battalion was played in by their
pipers, most of these men were killed or wounded. At one time the
position became very serious and the advance was checked. Pipers
Fraser and Hamilton at once got up into the open and started
playing "Caber Feidh"; the effect was very marked as their
companies dashed forward after them. They were both killed.

8535 Piper D. DAVIDSON, 7th Seaforth Highlanders.

This man, when serving in the ranks, showed such gallantry and
initiative that he received both the Distinguished Conduct Medal
and the Military Medal.

8112 Pipe Major ALEXANDER MACKENZIE, 8th Seaforth Highlanders.

At Loos, when the battalion was played into action, there
were very heavy losses among the pipers. Pipe Major Mackenzie
distinguished himself greatly, and was given the Distinguished
Conduct Medal.

8119 Pipe Major G. GORDON, 9th Seaforth Highlanders.

Played the battalion into action at Longueval on 14th July, 1916,
and was awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre.

5745 Piper CHARLES M'LELLAN, 9th Seaforth Highlanders.

At the battle of Loos he was acting as orderly to his captain;
as they got over the parapet the officer was hit, and died a
few minutes afterwards. Piper M'Lellan then reported himself
to another officer who sent him back, under heavy fire, for
reinforcements. Having done this several times, he went to look
for his captain and brought in his body. He was awarded the
Military Medal.

10744 Corporal A. GODSMAN, 1st Highland Light Infantry.

During the action at Neuve Chapelle he repeatedly brought up
ammunition to the firing line under the heaviest fire, until he
was wounded. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and
the Russian Order of St. George.

11480 Piper JOHN BRODIE, 2nd Highland Light Infantry.

This man was one of the party with the late Col. W. L. Brodie
when that officer won the V.C.

240881 Piper WILLIAM MACKENZIE, 6th Highland Light Infantry.

In the action of 12th July, 1915, in which the battalion captured
three lines of Turkish trenches in Gallipoli, Piper Mackenzie
went into action armed with a revolver and a shovel, displaying
great gallantry and doing great execution with both these weapons
until he was wounded.

1914 Piper KENNETH MACLENNAN, 7th Highland Light Infantry.

Was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal "for playing the
pipes during the attack (on the Turkish trenches, 12th July,
1915) and advancing with the line after his pipes had been
shattered by shrapnel, and heartening the wounded under fire"
(_London Gazette_). After his pipes had been broken he continued
to play on his chanter for some time. He then made several
journeys across the open to fetch water for the wounded under
heavy fire; and also brought up boxes of ammunition.

1901 Piper D. CAMERON, 7th Highland Light Infantry.

In the attack on the Turkish trenches on 12th July, 1915, Piper
Cameron played his company right up to the captured trenches
and was awarded a special mention in Divisional Orders (52nd
Division). On this occasion, while playing, he had a revolver
hanging from his wrist, and on reaching the trenches started
using it with good effect.

Piper DONALD MACFARLANE, 7th Highland Light Infantry.

In the same action in Gallipoli on 12th July, 1915, Piper
Macfarlane played his company through a bayonet charge and
continued doing so until a shell burst shattered his pipe drones.
He then devoted himself to giving water to the wounded.

Corpl. Piper ALLAN M'NICOL, 12th Highland Light Infantry.

During the fighting at Loos and Hill 70 Corpl. M'Nicol was
employed carrying an artillery observation flag, and signalling
successive positions to our guns as they were captured. For his
gallantry in action he was awarded the Military Medal.

15006 Pipe Major WILLIAM M'COMB, 16th Highland Light Infantry.

On 14th February, 1916, the Pipe Major, though stunned and sick
from a blow by a branch of a tree which had been hit by a shell,
went forward and dug out several men who had been buried. There
was heavy shell fire at the time. He was given the Military Medal.

12095 Piper (Pipe Major) THOMAS RICHARDSON, 16th Highland Light
Infantry.

Was awarded the Military Medal for gallant conduct at Roupy in
the night of 2nd April, 1917, when the company in support was
heavily shelled and casualties were heavy. "Pipe Major Richardson
organised carrying parties and showed an utter disregard of
danger under the continuous fire of heavy guns."

Pipe Major B. M'DONALD, Highland Light Infantry.

An ammunition dump having caught fire he went in under heavy
machine gun and shell fire and succeeded in dragging out boxes
of bombs and throwing them into a shell crater full of water.
By this means he stopped the conflagration. At the time he had
just been given a commission, and he received for this action the
Military Cross.

16094 Pipe Major YOUNG GILBERT, 17th Highland Light Infantry.

On the 1st July, 1916, the battalion crawled up to within 100
yards of the Leipzig redoubt and rushed the latter when the
barrage lifted, and held on. The position was a very perilous
one, and the C.O. called on the Pipe Major to play to the men.
This he at once did and continued doing so, with the most
stimulating effect on the battalion. For this action he was
awarded the Military Medal.

5495 Piper JAMES RITCHIE, 2nd Gordon Highlanders.

On the 14th July, 1916, the battalion had to attempt the capture
of the road from High Wood to Longueval. Advancing beyond the
first objective they advanced further and tried to dig in, but
came under deadly fire from flank and rear. Of the two leading
platoons only one wounded officer and five men ever got back.
Piper Ritchie volunteered to carry a message to regimental
headquarters and bring up reinforcements. He did this twice. He
was awarded the Military Medal.

6349 Pipe Major CHARLES ANDERSON, 2nd Gordon Highlanders.

Was awarded the Military Medal. His C.O. writes: "Has done
splendid work throughout; his cheerfulness and gallantry have
been at all times most marked, and he was a splendid example to
all until he was severely wounded at Hulluch on 25th September,
1915."

6863 Piper R. STEWART, 2nd Gordon Highlanders.

From the commencement of the war Piper Stewart's gallantry was
repeatedly brought to notice and especially during the fighting
in October and November, 1914, and at Ypres. He was specially
promoted to Sergeant and awarded the D.C.M. and the Russian Order
of St. George for bringing up ammunition under particularly
trying circumstances at Ypres. He was killed at Loos.

Pipe Major (Sergt. Major) ANGUS MACLEAN, 2nd Gordon Highlanders.

Rejoined his old battalion on the outbreak of war and was
transferred from the pipes to a company as sergeant major. He was
awarded the Military Medal for "conspicuous courage and ability
in organising work under very dangerous conditions."

THE 2ND GORDON HIGHLANDERS IN ITALY.

In the summer of 1918 the pipers, during the offensive, were
attached for duty to the 23rd Field Ambulance. All the wounded
had to be carried across a deep and very rapid burn, which was
difficult to get across for a single man. These pipers, however,
with four men to a stretcher and four more to steady them, and
without their kilts and hose, succeeded in getting large numbers
of casualties over. They stood in the water for many hours.
Subsequently they went out to look for wounded and brought in
many more. "But for the work of the pipers and drummers it would
have been impossible to evacuate the wounded that night."

Piper GEORGE PATERSON, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

In the fighting outside Cambrai in November, 1917, Piper Paterson
played the battalion into action and charged in three successive
waves; he also played it into Cantanig under heavy fire. Here he
was wounded. He was awarded the Military Medal.

Piper WILLIAM WEBSTER, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

In the face of heavy fire during the retirement in March, 1918,
repeatedly brought up ammunition to men in the front line. Was
awarded the Military Medal.

Piper P. BOWIE, }
Piper P. PATERSON, } 4th Gordon Highlanders.
Piper R. PRENTICE, }
Piper G. DAVIDSON, }

In the Ypres fighting on 31st July, 1917, Piper Bowie rallied the
men at a time when things were looking very bad. He was awarded
the Military Medal. At the Marne, too, he and Pipers P. Paterson,
R. Prentice, and G. Davidson played their companies into action
"and the example set by them roused the troops to further efforts
to force the enemy from a difficult position and enabled them to
gain a great victory."

1985 Piper CHARLES THOMSON, 5th Gordon Highlanders.

At Festubert Piper Thomson showed great courage as an observer,
and repeatedly crossed a heavily shelled zone, which was
also under fire by snipers, carrying messages to battalion
headquarters.

Piper H. LUNAM, 5th Gordon Highlanders.

In the action at High Wood on 18th July, 1916, Piper Lunam "very
heroically played his company into action in face of heavy
machine gun fire and a heavy enemy barrage. He got no official
recognition, but the thanks and respect of his comrades who
followed him."

10115 Pipe Major J. HOWARTH, 6th Gordon Highlanders.

During the fighting at Loos Pipe Major Howarth was acting as
orderly to the commanding officer, and, in the course of the
advance, was wounded in the feet. A shell had burst and knocked
over a dozen of our men and he at once went off to give first
aid. On the way he saw Captain ---- of the 2nd Gordons lying
wounded. As, on account of his own wound, he was unable to carry
the wounded officer in, he took off his own puttees, wound them
round his knees as a protection, took Captain ---- on his back
and crawled back on hands and knees to our own line.

Pipe Major Howarth had already received the D.C.M. for his
gallantry in tending the wounded at Neuve Chapelle. For his
action on this occasion he was awarded a bar to the medal.

10700 Piper W. BANNERMAN, 6th Gordon Highlanders.

In the fighting at Givenchy on 2nd June, 1915, some of the pipers
were employed in the ranks. Piper Bannerman was mentioned in
despatches for great gallantry in leading a bayonet charge.

Piper (Sergt.) PETER DEAN, 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

When serving in the ranks as a machine gun sergeant he worked his
gun alone in an exposed position when the rest of the gun team
had all been killed or wounded. He was awarded the Distinguished
Conduct Medal.

3162 Piper WILLIAM CARLYLE, 6th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

After a bayonet charge at Festubert on 16th June, 1915, the
battalion was lying on the ground under heavy fire. Near the
enemy's line was a wounded man. Piper Carlyle crept out on hands
and knees to try and bring him in; just as he reached the man
and had started to lift him, he was killed. Piper Carlyle was
mentioned in despatches.

Piper JOHN WALLS, 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Was awarded the Military Medal for devotion to duty as battalion
runner through the barrages on 23/24th July, 1915.

Pipe Major J. WILSON, 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

On the 8th April, 1916, a German raiding party of considerable
strength entered our trenches in the Labyrinth after the
explosion of several mines which inflicted heavy casualties. Pipe
Major Wilson at once organised a counter attack and drove out the
enemy. He received a Divisional certificate of gallant conduct.

266 Piper GEORGE SHEARER, 9th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

When employed as a bearer on 24th May, 1915, brought in a
wounded man out of No Man's Land under particularly difficult
circumstances, and was awarded the D.C.M.

4627 Pipe Major THOMAS AITKEN, 10th Argyll and Sutherland
Highlanders.

During the fighting at Longueval in July, 1916, although a man
of sixty years of age, Pipe Major Aitken, at his own request,
acted as orderly to the commanding officer for the whole day;
he was ultimately wounded. He was awarded the Distinguished
Conduct Medal "for conspicuous gallantry on this and many other
occasions."

6191 Piper J. DALL, }
2616 Piper D. WILSON, } 10th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

When the battalion attacked Longueval it was met by heavy
machine gun fire, which caused very severe casualties. Part of
the enemy wire had been left uncut by our bombardment, and this
caused momentary confusion in the ranks, as it was very dark.
The advance was held up by some ruined dwellings in the streets
of the village which had been turned into machine gun nests.
Pipers Dall and Wilson at once started playing, and in spite
of the noise of shell fire all round them, they succeeded in
rallying the men, and in leading an attack which proved to be
irresistible. Piper Dall was wounded. Piper Wilson was awarded a
mention in despatches.

569 Piper G. GAMACK, 10th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Received the Military Medal for great gallantry in evacuating
casualties during the storming of the St. Quentin Canal, Sept.,
1918.

Pipe Major DONALD MACFARLANE, 11th Argyll and Sutherland
Highlanders.

In the action of Loos the Pipe Major was employed as a despatch
runner carrying messages back from Hill 70. He continued doing
this though severely wounded in the arm. He was recommended for
the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Piper CHARLES HOEY, }
Piper J. BARNETT, } 11th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
Piper T. WALLACE, }

In the attack at Loos these men all played their companies into
action. Piper Barnett was killed while doing so.

Piper CHARLES CAMERON, 11th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

When the battalion attacked Hill 70 on 25th September, 1915, the
pipers led their companies and suffered heavy casualties. The
15th Division hung on to the slope of the hill until next day,
but ultimately had to fall back, being heavily counter-attacked.
The men of different units got mixed up in the hand to hand
fighting which ensued, and it was necessary to rally them in
their own units. Piper Cameron stood under heavy fire playing,
and rallied the men of the 11th. His bravery resulted in his
being known in the division as "The Piper of Loos."

598 Corpl. Piper R. STEVENSON, 12th Argyll and Sutherland
Highlanders.

Many of the pipers of this battalion were employed as scouts,
and Corpl. Stevenson rendered particularly good service in
this capacity, especially in August, 1918, when, in spite of
heavy enemy fire, he went forward and carried out a successful
reconnaissance of the wire on the enemy's trenches. For this he
got the Military Medal.

139 Corpl. Piper H. G. LATHAM, 1st London Scottish.

On account of heavy losses at Messines the pipers of this
battalion during the early part of the war were employed in
the ranks. Corpl. Latham was a crack shot and had got into the
final stage of the King's Hundred at the Bisley Camp in 1914.
He was accordingly employed as a sniper with much success. He
took a prominent part in the bayonet attack at Messines. He was
killed at Zillebeke 16th November, 1914. Was awarded a mention in
despatches.

Piper SYDNEY WILSON, Liverpool Scottish.

This man served in the ranks. He was awarded the certificate for
gallantry on three separate occasions.

290 Pipe Major JOHN WILSON, } 1st Tyneside Scottish.
1525 Piper GEORGE TAYLOR, }

Both these men received the Military Medal for bravery in playing
their battalion into action at La Boiselle on 1st July, 1916.
The whole of the pipers of this and the 2nd Battalion took part
in this, one of the most spectacular attacks on the Somme; and
their behaviour was an inspiration to the men. They were exposed
to very heavy fire and to every sort of obstacle on the ground,
but went on playing after ten pipers had been killed and five
wounded. 1525 Piper James Phillips of the 2nd Battalion, after
having his pipes shattered, started bombing the German trenches.
He was mentioned in despatches.

Sergt. JOHN MACDONALD, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light
Infantry.

At Hooge on 8th May, 1915, after a front trench had been
obliterated by shell fire, Sergt. Macdonald dug out two wounded
men who had been buried, and carried one on his back and assisted
the other to a place of safety under very heavy shell and rifle
fire. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. In Sept.,
1916, he died of wounds.

24011 Lance Corpl. J. DYCE, 13th Royal Highlanders of Canada.

During the Ypres fighting in April, 1915, Corporal Dyce was
employed as a despatch runner and had to cross ground heavily
bombarded by the enemy. While doing so he was shot through
the chest, and became unconscious; on coming to, knowing the
importance of the despatch he was carrying, he started crawling
in to deliver it at battalion headquarters, collapsing when he
arrived there. He was mentioned in despatches.

29327 Pipe Major JAMES GROAT, 16th Canadian Scottish.

In the attack on the Vimy Ridge Pipe Major Groat and the pipers
of the battalion played them to the attack, Groat accompanying
the commanding officer. They had to advance over a mile under
terrific fire. On this occasion he received the Military Medal.

Subsequently, in the attack on Hill 70 on 15th August, 1918,
he again led the battalion and was awarded a bar to the Medal;
and on 2nd September, 1918, at Arras, he got the Distinguished
Conduct Medal for a similar action. He had played the battalion
through five successful attacks when he was finally wounded.

28930 Piper JAMES RICHARDSON, V.C., 16th Canadian Scottish.

At Festubert in May, 1915, he showed the greatest gallantry in
carrying despatches, and also saved a wounded comrade's life.
In the attack on the Regina trench on 8th October, 1916, he
played his company to the attack. When they got near the enemy's
position very heavy wire entanglements were encountered, which
took a considerable time to cut through; while this was being
carried out Piper Richardson marched up and down outside the
wire playing, while the men were falling all round him. When the
wire had been cut he continued at the head of his company, and
played the "Reel of Tulloch" on the German parapet, followed
by the "Deil in the Kitchen" as the battalion started bombing
the dugouts. At this moment the Company Sergeant Major was
dangerously wounded and Richardson volunteered to take him
out. He successfully accomplished this and then said he must
go back to fetch his pipes which he had left behind in the
captured trench. He never returned and must have been killed. The
Commanding Officer[13] writes of him: "I really think his V.C.
performance was one of the great deeds of the war. The conditions
were those of indescribable peril and terror. The lad's whole
soul was bound up in the glory of piping, and he was only taken
into action after imploring his colonel with tears in his eyes.
Altogether a most wonderful example of high souled courage and
enthusiasm."

A year after Piper Richardson's death he was awarded a posthumous
Victoria Cross.

28557 Piper ALEXANDER M'GILLIVRAY, }
29048 Piper ALLAN CAMERON M'NAB, }
429603 Piper GEORGE PAUL, }
466703 Piper JOHN M'ALLISTER, }
603174 Piper GORDON CRUICKSHANK, } 16th Canadian Scottish.
467573 Piper ALEXANDER ROBERTSON, }
737176 Piper JOHN M'LEAN, }
633179 Piper ARCHIBALD M'DOWELL. }

The whole of these men received the Military Medal for playing
their companies into action on different occasions. No man was
ever recommended for reward unless he had played into action on
three different occasions, and every man had to volunteer for the
duty. As a matter of fact so keen was the competition that lots
had to be drawn to decide who should play.

429603 Piper GEORGE PAUL, 16th Canadian Scottish.

After winning the Military Medal for his gallantry in playing his
company to the attack on Hill 70 on 15th August, 1918, Piper Paul
went into action at Amiens playing on top of the tank "Dominion."
While doing so he was killed. His action on this occasion roused
the wildest enthusiasm among his comrades and contributed greatly
to the success of the operation.

59224 Corpl. WILLIAM CURRIE, 21st Canadians.

On several occasions Corpl. Currie showed extraordinary gallantry
in bringing in wounded men from positions in which any attempt at
rescue appeared hopeless, on account of the heavy fire brought
to bear on any one trying to approach. The last man rescued by
Corpl. Currie had been shot by a sniper and was lying in a trench
only a foot deep. Currie succeeded in getting him away although
he was badly wounded in the process. He was several times
complimented officially and was finally specially promoted and
awarded the Military Medal. He subsequently got a Commission and
won the Military Cross for gallantry.

60115 Piper HUGH MACKENZIE, 21st Canadians.

At Hill 70 volunteers were called for to bring in a man who was
lying wounded in No Man's Land. Mackenzie was one of three who
volunteered to get him; two of these men were killed. Mackenzie
was given the Military Medal.

Piper W. BRAND, } 25th Canadians.
Piper WALTER TELFER, }

In the attack on the Vimy Ridge 9th April, 1917, these two pipers
played their companies into action. Telfer was so badly wounded
that his leg had subsequently to be amputated, but continued
playing, until he fell. Both of them were awarded the Military
Medal.

1246 Piper JOHN MACDONALD, 1st Canadian Machine Gun Corps.

During an action the attack was held up and most of the teams
of the machine guns were killed. Piper Macdonald succeeded
in pushing forward to the objective with a gun and held on
until dark. He was the last to leave, carrying the gun on his
shoulders. For this he was promoted Quartermaster Sergeant, and
was awarded the Military Medal.

Pipe Major ALEXANDER GRIEVE, }
Piper J. WATERHOUSE, } South African Scottish.
Piper A. GRAY, }

When the Germans advanced on the Cambrai front in March, 1918,
the pipers were frequently called upon to serve in the ranks in
various capacities. At Houdincourt they were suddenly required to
reinforce a position and piled their pipes on the ground. A shell
burst destroyed the whole of the pipes. For gallantry when acting
as despatch runners Pipe Major Grieve got the D.C.M. and Pipers
Waterhouse and Gray the Military Medal.

Pipe Major J. ROBERTSON, 2nd Auckland Regiment.

The pipers served in the ranks. Pipe Major Robertson received the
D.C.M. for conspicuous gallantry at Bapaume.

Piper A. AITKEN, } 42nd Australians.
Piper R. GILLESPIE, }

These men were employed as scouts and both received the Military
Medal for valuable observation work prior to the action at
Messines in June, 1917.

FOREIGNERS AND THE PIPES

Brought in contact as Scottish troops have been with those of our Allies it is not surprising that military pipers have attracted the attention of observers and writers who, before the war, knew nothing of their existence. From the early days of the war the pipes, the tartan and the kilt aroused the liveliest interest in France; and perhaps the sincerest tribute to them is the fact that, in their caricatures of the nations, the Germans usually depicted the British soldier as a particularly unattractive Highlander.

At first the French writers were mildly sarcastic about the players of the "cornemuse," and regarded them as an amiable weakness of the comrades of the "auld alliance"; but gradually they discovered that pipes and tartan were the outward and visible signs of a spirit which won their whole-hearted admiration, and then their attitude changed.

Describing an attack by the 51st Division a French observer wrote:

"Resolutely they crossed what seemed to be impossible ground ... they charged to the shrill sounds of the bagpipes ... they charged like heroes of Walter Scott--_leurs bonnets à rubans et leur jupes de danseuses_."

Though the Breton bignon, the cornemuse, the German dudelsackpfeife are no longer--if they ever were--instruments of war, the instinctive admiration for the pipes remains in the most unexpected quarters; and in France, Flanders, Italy, the Balkans, and even the occupied portions of Germany, "_piob mhor_" has aroused race memories long dormant. One effect of this is the demand which has recently arisen in Italy for pipes from this country; another is the fact that the French Government have added a painting of a piper by a French artist to the official collection of war pictures.

American observers were often very ignorant of the mysteries of the bagpipe. A writer in the _Boston Evening Transcript_, after eulogising the piper as a military institution, informs his readers that in the hands of a really skilled performer the strains of the pipes can be heard for a distance of six miles against the wind or ten miles if the conditions are favourable. The writer may have been of M'Crimmon descent, but his enthusiasm exceeded his powers of observation.

One thing is quite certain, viz., whatever their inmost feelings regarding the musical qualities of the pipes, foreigners generally appreciate their military value in war and share the opinion of the court-martial in 1746 that they must be regarded as an "instrument of war."

The Germans certainly were not slow in forming an estimate of the military value of the piper. From a very early stage in the war they learned to associate the instrument with a type of troops for whose mentality, as exhibited in the attack, they had more respect than sympathy, and the piper at once became a marked man whenever he went over the top. The casualties among pipers while playing would of themselves suggest that this was the case; but the statements of officer prisoners show that orders were given to pick off pipers for precisely the same reason as officers commanding platoons or companies.

THE PIPES IN CAPTIVITY

Even pipers fall into the hands of the enemy occasionally, but they were never allowed to take their instruments with them into captivity. Gradually, as "comforts," pipes were sent out to individual officers and men; and the following letter from an officer of the Gordon Highlanders who was at Friedberg Camp, indicates how popular pipe music became among his fellow-prisoners of the Allied armies.

AT QUATRE-BRAS

_From the Painting by Lockhart Bogle, by kind permission of the Officers of the 1st Cameron Highlanders_]

"FRIEDBERG, 11/1/1917.

Though only a young player I play here every day and do not find
people too hostile to me. The Russians, French and even the
Germans greet me with great interest and seem to find pleasure
in listening to me--though as I said I am no great player; the
most unsympathetic are always to be found among the ranks of the
"Sassenach." I learnt to play in 1911, on joining my Regiment,
under George MacLennan, who was Pipe-Major at that time. While on
leave in Edinburgh I used to have lessons with his father--Jno.
MacLennan. Up till now I have only attempted "The Glen is
mine" and "Struan Robertson" in Piobaireachd, but having been
thoroughly taught by the MacLennans I naturally follow their
way of thinking. Yesterday I played to a Russian who is a
very good player of the piano. He was delighted with the Pipes
and I could not play too many tunes for him. Strathspeys and
Reels are greatly appreciated by all our Russian friends. Last
St. Andrew's Day we organized an Exhibition of dancing which was
a complete success. As the Scottish Colony here is so small we
asked the Russians to come and help us. This they did right well
with dances and songs, the music being provided, in both cases,
by "Balalaika," or Russian national instrument. For our part we
danced two foursome Reels (dancing two different sets of steps),
a Sword Dance and a Highland Schottische. In the latter dance we
each took a Russian as a partner, they having been trained up
for the event. We sang "Bonnie Dundee," "Lassies of Scotland,"
"MacPherson," and finished up with "Auld Lang Syne." For the
Reels my Russian friend provided the music on the piano. Our
costume was of course improvised. Kilt, shoes and hose we had,
we wore white shirts with lace cuffs, a strip of tartan fastened
with a brooch at the shoulder to do duty as a plaid and a black
velvet band with a lace ruffle, falling down in front, round our
necks. Our sporrans, with the exception of one which was made
out of a local rabbit, all came from home. I had several pretty
compliments paid to me by the Russians and French, both on our
costume and dancing. Five of us took part altogether. I wonder
if it would be too much to ask you to send me instructions for
dancing the "Lochaber Broadswords" and the "Seann Triubhas," in
case we have the misfortune to pass another St. Andrew's Day
here in Germany. If we do we shall give another Exhibition and I
would like to be able to vary it. I only know 12 Strathspey steps
and 8 Reel steps. Since I have been a prisoner I have taught
over 30 people to dance the Reel--including two Frenchmen and
one Russian, and at present I have five pupils on the chanter.
We are 16 Scots here, so can you say we are losing our national
distinctions? I have only told you this because I thought it
would interest you."

In Holland, in the internment camps, an organised pipe band was instituted by the writer of the above letter, and consisted of thirteen pipers of whom two were pipe majors.

MILITARY PIPE BANDS, AND REFORM

In preparing this record of the pipe bands of our Armies during the war the opportunity has been taken of consulting pipe presidents and pipe majors as to the present condition of military piping and the manner in which obvious defects might be remedied. Like other experts they exhibit divergences of opinion, sometimes as regards the nature of the defects, sometimes as to the best method of remedying them. In certain matters, however, there is absolute unanimity, and these are deserving of attention by the military authorities.

"_Sergeant piper._"--Throughout the Army there is, and has always been, a strong objection to the title of "sergeant piper," which in official parlance is employed instead of "pipe major." No one ever calls a pipe major a sergeant piper, except in returns; and withdrawal of this modern and indefensible title could result in nothing but good. As there is no financial aspect involved in the change, it would be a graceful and inexpensive concession to a body of men to whom the Army and the nation owe much.

_Rank of the Pipe Major._--On another point there is absolute unanimity of opinion, viz., the rank of the pipe major. As responsible for a band possibly numbering twenty or more pipers, the pipe major ought to have the same rank as a bandmaster. To limit the career of a piper to the possibility of becoming a pipe major with the rank of sergeant is to prevent good men accepting the position; and many a man, seeing he can hope for no advancement, leaves the pipes and returns to the ranks, thus getting a chance of rising to warrant rank.

This question of rank has a most important bearing on the interests of piping generally, and is therefore a national one. As instructor to his men the pipe major should be a first-class performer himself, and this--although the public appear to be unaware of the fact--involves long and assiduous training. It is useless asking a man to attain the necessary standard of excellence for this purpose and to offer him the pay of a sergeant in return. The consequence is pipe majors are not always the best pipers--from the professional point of view--in their units; and this ought to be remedied, even though it does cost the nation the difference between the emoluments of a warrant officer and of a sergeant in each unit.

_The Appointment of "Piper."_--Another necessary reform, which also has the merit of costing nothing, is the official recognition of "piper" as an appointment. In the Army "drummer" is an appointment, but a piper is a private.

One result of this is that, on mobilisation, all pipers revert to the ranks, excepting six (including the sergeant piper) per battalion. Apart altogether from the special liability to casualties among the "full pipers" when playing in action, it is evident that so small a band may, under the ordinary conditions of modern warfare, be put out of action; and then great difficulty is experienced in raising another band. In many battalions during the war this happened, sometimes more than once; and it is these battalions which are most insistent on the strength being twelve instead of six pipers.

_Lowland regiments._--A grievance which cries for remedy at the hands of the War Office is the treatment of pipers in Lowland regiments. The official view appears to be that the existence of the pipes in regiments such as the Royal Scots, the K.O.S.B.'s and others is an unreasonable concession to a sentiment which is vulgarly called "Scotch," but which, though believed to be nebulous, happens to be too strong for the military reformers to ignore altogether. This view indicates ignorance of the history of the pipes and of the Lowland regiments; the one may be pardoned, the other is inexcusable.

It is absolutely certain that Lowland regiments had pipers before the existing Highland regiments were raised at all; and the pipes were a national instrument all over the Lowlands for centuries before there was any Regular Army at all.

This being so it is quite illogical that the maintenance of their pipe bands should be a greater financial burden on officers of a Lowland than of a Highland regiment. The value of the institution, from a military point of view, is the same in both; and pipe bands should be treated as part of the recognised establishment in one as in the other.

_Standardisation of military pipe music._--There is one grave defect in military piping which is capable of being remedied quite easily. Anyone who knows anything of piping knows that each individual piper learns his tunes after the setting of some well-known authority, and is for ever after prepared to maintain that that version alone is the correct one. Unfortunately every battalion has its own setting for every tune played in the band and declines to admit the possibility of any other setting being used in any circumstances. Even in the case of distinctively regimental tunes, _e.g._ "_Cabar Feidh_," the two Regular battalions of the Seaforth Highlanders play--or used to play, just before the war--different settings of that tune, and a man transferred from one battalion to another had to learn the slight differences which his new unit preferred. The same remarkable individuality exists in every battalion and makes it very difficult indeed to get a number of pipe bands to play even the best-known tunes together without considerable practice.

This is quite wrong. By all means let the individual piper learn and adhere to the setting of piobaireachd by his favourite authority; but to have as many settings of an ordinary march as there are battalions in the Army is not to the advantage of piping.

The remedy is simple enough,--the standardisation of pipe tunes for military purposes, in precisely the same manner as obtains with the National Anthems and trumpet and bugle calls; and, just as no departure to meet regimental custom or prejudice is permitted in the case of these latter, so the setting laid down for the Army in the case of pipe tunes should be strictly defined and adhered to.

The superiority of one setting over another does not enter into the question; what is essential is uniformity.

Many pipe majors have pointed to this standardisation as one of the most important measures to be adopted after the war, in the interests of piping in the Army.

_Neglect of Piobaireachd._--It is open to argument whether the military piper does or does not exert a determining influence on the cause of piping generally. Allowing fully for the great value of the recognised societies and the periodical piping meetings throughout Scotland, in keeping up the standard of the national instrument and offering inducements for its study, it will be readily admitted that, by their mere existence as permanent institutions, military pipe bands keep up the cult of the pipes, at home and abroad, to so marked a degree that any decline in their standard must have a deleterious effect on piping generally.

To what extent, then, if at all, is military piping conducted to the best advantage of the cause of piping, and is there room for reform?

It may be taken as generally the case that, in so far as a military pipe band is regarded as designed for duty on the march, and for various routine military musical duties, it fulfils its functions to the satisfaction of all concerned. It is too much to expect the War Office--or even individual commanding officers--to accept the view that neglect of "ceol mor" is not compensated for by a high standard of excellence in the "middle music" and in dances and marches. Individual pipers in every battalion are players of "piobaireachd"; but any one with experience of regimental or garrison piping competitions knows how small is the number of men who enter for that class of event, as compared with performers of the march, strathspey and reel.

The explanation is simple enough--the men play what their audience demands, and "Leaving Glen Urquhart" or "Duntroon" appeals to more people, military or civil, than the finest piobaireachd. Pipe majors, even when themselves anxious to teach their pipers the higher class of music, recognise that to attempt to do so would often be wasted labour--men come to them too old to make piobaireachd players, and, in any case, the opportunities for playing it in the Army are too few to make it worth while trying to get men to go through the initial drudgery. Being human they naturally turn to march and dance music; and the result is that, except in the case of professional pipers who have enlisted, the soldier piper generally ignores altogether the classical side of his music.

This is a defect in military piping, and it should be remedied by insisting that, before promotion to pipe major, a piper should pass an examination in every branch of pipe music.

_A school of piping._--The time has come to establish a school of piping for the army at which likely pipers could undergo refresher courses of instruction in all classes of pipe music, in the correct writing of music--a subject which is lamentably ignored, in the theory of music, and in methods of instruction of recruit pipers. In other words it should fulfil the same functions as regards the training of future pipe majors, and the improvement of the standard of playing in the army, that Kneller Hall does in the case of bandmasters and military musical education generally.

No piper should be promoted pipe major until he has undergone a complete course lasting at least six months, and has passed an examination at the end of it.

Such a school should be open to civilian pipers and should become the Macrimmon school of to-day.

The Piobaireachd Society have already decided to institute a memorial to fallen pipers which shall take this form, and to the necessary endowment the proceeds of this book will be devoted. But the army must contribute towards its maintenance.

REGIMENTAL RECORDS

These Records are not based on military returns, and are therefore not, in all cases, complete. They have been obtained by correspondence with commanding officers, pipe presidents, pipe majors and many others, but the exigencies of war have prevented the information so obtained being absolutely accurate.

In many cases, units, reduced by fighting to mere cadres, have been absorbed into other units and their pipers scattered; in others, the field records of the units themselves have been lost or have ceased to be available; and, in several, correspondence has been abruptly terminated by the correspondent himself being killed or wounded.

In the circumstances it is satisfactory that so much information has been obtained.

THE SCOTS GUARDS

1ST BATTALION.

During the first few months of the war there were very heavy casualties among the pipers, and the band soon ceased to exist in consequence. It was reconstituted in 1916, but was not again utilised in the front line.

REG. NO. RANK. NAME. RECORD.

Pipe Major ALEX. ROSS
3707 Sergt. SAMUEL RICHARDSON Died of wounds, Battle of
Aisne, 14/9/14.
6495 Lance-Cpl. DAVID SMITH Wounded, the Aisne, 14/9/14.
6926 Piper KENNETH M'KAY Wounded, Ypres, 31/10/14.
6999 " BRUCE HOBSON Wounded, Ypres, 31/10/14; taken
prisoner.
991 " ALEXANDER MARTIN, Won D.C.M.; killed 19/2/16.
D.C.M.
8543 Piper JAMES M'KENZIE Killed, Ypres, 31/10/14;
despatches.
7529 " MURDOCH M'DONALD Wounded.
8423 Corporal JAMES CARSTAIRS Wounded, Ypres, 26/10/14.
6456 Piper ROBERT PATON Wounded, Ypres, 31/10/14.
5437 " A. M'RURY
11150 " CHRISTOPHER M'PHERSON
9456 " ALAN M'PHEDRAN
" HECTOR M'NAIR
" J. SMITH Wounded.
" THOMAS ANDERSON
" MALCOLM M'KENZIE Killed, Oct. 1914.
" J. M'DONALD Wounded.
" E. KENNEDY
" J. ORMISTON
" D. M'INNES
Corpl. D. HOWISON
Piper A. CARMICHAEL Killed, 1915.
" T. BROWNLOW, D.C.M., Military Medal, D.C.M.
M.M.
" D. TAYLOR
" D. MARSHALL
" C. M'PHERSON
" J. COVENTRY
" R. PATON Wounded.
" J. JOHNSTONE
" W. M'LEOD Wounded.
" C. M'RAE Wounded.

2ND BATTALION

There were heavy casualties in the Ypres fighting in Oct. 1914, and by the end of March, 1915, practically no pipers remained. The band was subsequently reconstituted, but like that of the sister battalion, was as far as possible saved from further decimation.

REG. NO. RANK. NAME. RECORD.

Pipe Major WILLIAM ROSS Invalided.
7743 Sergt. ANDREW M'INTOSH
" DONALD M'INTOSH
3681 Lance-Sgt. ARCHIBALD M'KIMM Wounded and taken prisoner,
Zonnebeke, 26/10/14.
Lance-Cpl. HECTOR M'KIMM Killed, Zonnebeke, 26/10/14.
5539 Piper ALEXANDER RUSSELL Wounded, Ypres, 21/10/14.
7281 " WILLIAM GRANT Wounded, Gheluvelt, 28/10/14.
8053 " JOHN CONNOR Wounded, 28/10/14.
7725 Piper JAMES WELSTEAD Wounded and taken prisoner,
Zonnebeke, 26/10/14.
8341 " WILLIAM M'DONALD Wounded; invalided, 26/10/14.
8349 " ARCHIBALD M'PHERSON Wounded, Neuve Chapelle,
11/3/15.
" M. M'PHERSON
8081 " CHARLES M'GUIRE Died of wounds at Ypres,
29/10/14.
8852 " COLIN LIVINGSTONE Wounded, Ypres, 27/10/14;
burned with liquid fire,
Neuve Chapelle, 13/3/15.
11148 " JAMES COVENTRY
7039 " JAMES M'DONALD Wounded, 13/3/15.
" T. MARSHALL
" C. MUNRO
" D. MARSHALL
" W. CRAIG
" D. M'PHEDRAN Wounded, Ypres, 27/10/14.
" J. M'PHEDRAN
" D. M'ARTHUR
" J. WALKER

These two battalions, in the first year, had 7 pipers killed and 17 wounded.

THE ROYAL SCOTS

1ST BATTALION

In the capture of Karadzakot Zir, in the Salonika operations, the battalion was played to the attack by Pipers Collins, Clancy, Smart and Mallin, and the C.O. considers that their services on this occasion "were of inestimable value; it was largely due to the presence of the pipers with the leading wave that the enemy evacuated their trenches and retired in disorder." Besides their value on the march and in billets "they were invaluable in inspiring _esprit de corps_ under fire."

Pipers were also employed as observers, messengers, scouts, etc.

REG. NO. RANK. NAME. RECORD.

10369 Pipe Major G. J. ALLAN
8473 Sergt. J. M'NAB Promoted Pipe Major, 1st R.S.F.
10122 Corpl. R. SOFTLEY Wounded, May 1915, France.
10123 " E. COLLINS
10183 Piper J. CLANCY Invalided.
10754 " J. BURNS
11002 Corpl. W. M'MILLAN, D.C.M.
10032 Piper P. MALLIN Invalided.
9885 " W. M'ARTHUR Invalided.
" E. DUGUID
10639 " J. SMART
8450 " R. DRUMMOND Wounded, May 1915, France.
39291 " H. THOMSON
10273 " R. ARMOUR Wounded, Karadzakot, Sept. 1916.
13859 " D. WHITE
43315 " H. M'WILLIAMS Wounded, Aug. 1918.
32844 " J. NOBLE
48594 " D. M'DONALD Died in hospital, Bulgaria.
16443 " A. ALVES
200297 " W. HOVAN

2ND BATTALION

The 2nd battalion took part in the original fighting of the war. During the retirement from Mons the pipers were chiefly employed as despatch-runners and orderlies. They went out with 16 pipers and lost 6 during the first few weeks. Four pipers, including Pipe Major Duff, were taken prisoner at Audincourt on 26th August, 1914.

During the Somme fighting they were employed as stretcher-bearers and suffered severe casualties. On one occasion they did invaluable service in bringing water up to the battalion. At Ypres in September, 1916, the pipers were carrying barbed wire up to the front when a shell wounded three. After that the band was withdrawn from the front line and employed in playing the battalion to and from the trenches. By the end of 1918 there had been 7 pipers killed, 16 wounded and 4 taken prisoner, and, to quote the pipe major, "I have seen 3 bands disappear and the fourth is now on German soil."

Apart from the difficulty of replacement of casualties one of the reasons why pipers were not used in attacks was because it was felt "when the men heard the pipes they would lose control of themselves and, in their eagerness to get forward would be apt to rush into their own barrage."

REG. NO. RANK. NAME. RECORD.