WW1 Piper in kilt on battlefield

[brewerpaul]

Was browsing Britishpathe.com and found this interesting photo of a kilted piper on the battlefield. Ive included the text with the photo and a link to the page with the other 10 photos. This is the only one of a kilted piper, the rest are of the men in the trenches.



Included text with the photo.

"The Pipers
Over a 1000 pipers died during WWI. These extraordinary men were sitting ducks as they went over the top to pipe their men into battle. Piper Harry Lunan was the last surviving piper and he said,

"I just played whatever came in to my head, but I was worried about tripping on the uneven ground, which interrupted my playing. The enemy fire was murderous, the men were falling all around me. I was lucky to survive. Hearing the pipes gave the troops courage." "


Link to the rest of the photos on Britishpathehttp://www.britishpathe.com/gallery/ww1-telling-images/

[freddie]

A great photo and what brave men. Thanks for posting it.

[guardsman]

amazing , makes me think of the tune green hills of tyrol

[Matty Ross]

Remindes me of this song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdxgNPb5xWo

[TheOfficialBren]

Those guys had serious balls. Such valour!

[ThistleDown]

James Richardson VC. Regina Trench, Vimy Ridge, 1915

[OC Richard]

Isn't that a KOSB cap badge there on his bonnet?

https://www.google.com/search?q=kosb...w=1920&bih=943

[brewerpaul]

Isn't that a KOSB cap badge there on his bonnet?

https://www.google.com/search?q=kosb...w=1920&bih=943

Looking at the images on the link you provided and zooming as close as I can to the photo they do look similar. I wish I could get a clearer view zoomed in but it tends to pixilate. Perhaps some others here can view it better. These young men were quite brave to do this. War at that time had changed so much with the advent of air attacks, mustard gas and other "technical advancements.' This photo strikes me showing the bravery and the loneliness of the battlefield.

[Blupiper]

Can you imagine? In this picture, the piper isn't playing yet. By the way he is holding the pipes and the attitude of them, he is inflating the bag in prep to strike in and begin the drones sounding and then to play. It seems obvious to me, he has gone over the top, is looking out over the battlefield and into the teeth of the enemy. He is starting in to play to hearten and rally his lads to do what they are ordered to do. I feel from the way his feet are set, he is squaring himself, preparing to strike in his pipes and move out into the fray. Maybe it's reading a little much into the photo, but the facts of what I see tell me this. And on this day of all days, we can appreciate what has been done by many we will never know to give us the lives we lead today.

JMB

[MacGumerait]

Blupiper , I think you are correct . It very much appears that he is striking in the pipes and squaring up his stance .

You are also correct about this day " Veteran's Day " and all that are living or who have passed from past or current generations and giving us the life we lead today .

Best said by an old poem :

It is the Soldier, not the minister, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the organizer, who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

My salutation , appreciation and respect to all Veterans and to all Serving .

Best regards , Mike