The Piper of 1 Bn RIF, Tunisia, 78th Div – 8th Army.
Ian S. Williams | April 20, 2014
The Canadian Scottish at Kitcheners’ Wood
Ian S. Williams | January 6, 2012
Two years after the “Terrific Drive” by the Canadians in April 1915, Frank Dadd composed this sketch. The fact that this was done so long after attests to the significance of that event in the war. In fact it was a major event in history. It marked the first significant use of poison gas as […]
Piper E. J. Dawson
Ian S. Williams | June 17, 2011
James Dawson was a regular soldier who enlisted into The Black Watch before the outbreak of the First World War. He held the appointment of “Piper.” As a Private he fought with the 1st Battalion Royal Highlanders when it landed in France on 13 August 1914. There he most probably served at the Battle of […]
The Heroism of Piper A. McDonald
Ian S. Williams | March 20, 2011
During and immediately after the Great War there were many popular publications designed to keep the home front informed. In retrospect many might not consider them fair and balanced in their reporting, and that would be true. The purpose of these publication was to boost national morale and highlight the valour of it men on the front lines. Often artist were commissioned to illustrate an action for which no photographs could be found. In an age where combat photography was in its infancy artists were steadily employed. In this image, John F. Campbell captures the gallant action of two pipers leading their company into the fray. Piper McDonald was awarded the D.C.M. for “conspicuous gallantry” for leading the men across two lines of enemy trenches. At the third line his companion piper was shot and killed. That moment depicted by the artist captures the life and death actions of warrior pipers in battle. These images have a worth beyond that of a still archival photograph. They capture the glory and emotion in a way that a stark black and white grainy image from that era never could.