Final Message from the Front

I find myself working late into the night on the Pipes of War film project. As the 7th of October 2014 becomes the 8th my mind ponders what Jimmy must have been thinking 98 years ago this very night.  Only  a few hours earlier he would have “implored the Commanding Officer with tears in his eyes” for the right to pipe the men into the battle. His exact words are were not recorded, but having studied his writing I’ve imagined the conversation… the entirety of which will be revealed in the film, but it concludes with the pure and simple statement accented by a single tear…”Please sir, I am a piper.”

Jimmy’s plea was so moving that his Commanding Officer relented. Jimmy along with 3 other pipers were allowed to lead each company over top. James and John Park did not survive the battle.

(apropos to my thoughts the soundtrack to Les Miserables is playing in the background while I write and Alfie Boe is signing “Bring him Home”… but I return to this post…)

Jimmy, along with the majority of the 16th Battalion would have taken a moment to scribble a final message home. It took the form of the Field Service Post Card seen here.  A few hours later he would take up position in the first wave of men to advance on Regina Trench at 4:50am.  Today, 2014, in a strange twist of cosmic fate I will observe a lunar eclipse where the Earth’s shadow passes across our moon creating a phenomenon known as the blood moon. The celestial event will occur between 4:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. over my little spot on this globe…. and so I will watch and remember. I will remember James and the brave men of the 16th who fought and bled this day so long ago.

Field Service Postcard written by James Richardson just before the attack on Regina Trench. This is the final document he mailed before he fell earning the Victoria Cross.

Field Service Postcard written by James Richardson just before the attack on Regina Trench. This is the final document he mailed before he fell earning the Victoria Cross.

Front of Richardson's final postcard dated October 7, 1916.

Front of Richardson’s final postcard dated October 7, 1916.


About The Author

Ian is an acclaimed writer, producer, and director of documentary films and multimedia events. He is also a competitive bagpiper and has produced large scale multimedia concerts and pipe band recordings. It is his combined passion for film and piping that endow him with a unique and personal perspective for the Pipes of War project.

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