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During World War One, piper Daniel Laidlaw showcased incredible courage and bravery in the face of danger. With only a set of bagpipes, this Scotsman led his regiment through chaos and panic when they were trapped at the Battle of Loos in France. His quick thinking and musical prowess inspired the troops of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers to press on in the attack against the enemy. This act of heroism earned Laidlaw the highest military honour in battle – the Victoria Cross (VC), making him one of only three pipers to receive this recognition.
Despite being wounded twice, Laidlaw continued to play his bagpipes until the attack ultimately failed. The London Gazette published the citation for his VC on 18 November 1915, describing how he demonstrated “absolute coolness and disregard of danger” as he led his company out of the trench with his music. Approximately 30,000 Scots from 45 battalions participated in the Battle of Loos, resulting in around 7,000 casualties. Laidlaw’s actions stood out as a shining example of bravery amidst the chaos of war.
Born in 1875 in Little Swinton, Berwickshire, Laidlaw had served in the Army in India before re-enlisting with The King’s Own Scottish Borderers at the outbreak of World War One. Following his heroic actions, Laidlaw struggled with the fame and notoriety that came with his VC. He eventually settled in Norham, Northumberland, where he worked as a sub-postmaster until his passing in 1950 at the age of 75. Today, there are campaigns to erect a statue in his honor and establish a scholarship in his name to inspire future generations of pipers.
Laidlaw’s medals are on display at the National Museum in Edinburgh, while his bagpipes are housed at the King’s Own Scottish Borderers regimental museum in Berwick. Susan Higgins, the curator at the museum, emphasizes the importance of celebrating Laidlaw’s extraordinary bravery and the impact of his music in calming and rallying his comrades during dire circumstances. Although pipers are no longer permitted to lead troops into battle, the legacy of Daniel Laidlaw lives on, inspiring others to remember his remarkable feat and honoring his memory for generations to come
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