London Gazette, 18 November, 1915. For most conspicuous bravery prior to an assault on German trenches near Loos and Hill 70 on 25th September 1915. During the worst of the bombardment, when the attack was about to commence, Piper Laidlaw, seeing that his company was somewhat shaken from the effects of gas, with absolute coolness and disregard of danger, mounted the parapet, marched up and down and played the company out of the trench. The effect of his splendid example was immediate, and the company dashed out to the assault. Piper Laidlaw continued playing his pipes till he was wounded.
Issue 829. - Vol 63 - Dec 11 1915 - Sphere
Prior to the assault on the German trenches in September, Piper Laidlaw, with absolute coolness, mounted the parapet during the worst of the bombardment and played the regimental march of the K.O.S.B., “Blue Bonnets Over the Border.” The effect of his splendid example was immediate, and the company ... to the assault. Piper Laidlaw continued playing his pipes till he was wounded. For his act of superb bravery the piper was awarded the V. C.
In a publish... gave the circumstances underwhich the episode took place. “There was a light wind that morning. he said. “It was blowing a bank of gas towards the German trenches when their high-explosive shells burst in its midst and sent it among our own men. For a minute or two it had a bad effect on my company; but in a flash Lieutenant Young sized up the situation, and, noticing I had my pipes, exclaimed, ‘For God’s sake, Laidlaw, pipe them together.” The brave piper is here seen playing the pipes in full view of the enemy.
Dec 4 1915 - Illustrated London News
Piper Daniel Laidlaw of the 7th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, has added one more glorious page to the annals of the Scottish bag-pipes-annals which include the story of ”The Pipes at Lucknows,” as told in Whittier’s poem, and the heroism of Piper Findlater, of the Gordon Highlanders, at Dargai. The latter, it say be recalled, continued piping after he was wounded in the storming of the Dargai Heights on October 20, 1897, during the Tirah Campaign. Piper Laidlaw will henceforth stand beside Piper Findlater among the heroes of the bag-pipes, and for a very similar exploit. In the words of the official account, the V.C. was awarded to Piper Daniel Laidlaw “for most conspicuous bravery prior to an assault on German trenches near Loos and Hill 70 on September 25, 1915. During the worst of the bombardment, when the attack was about to commence, Piper Laidlaw, seeing that his company was somewhat shaken from the effects of gas, with absolute coolness and disregard of danger, mounted the parapet, marched up and down (i.e., outside), and played his company out of the trench. The effect of his splendid example was immediate, and the company dashed out to the assault. Piper Laidlaw continued playing his pipes till he was wounded.” A fragment of wire was blown through his foot as he was approaching the German trenches, but he still went on piping. He is seen marching up and down outside the British trench, playing “The Flowers of the Forest,” while Lieut. Young, the neat man out of the trench, is climbing over the parapet. The men are wearing their gas-masks. In the background is the ” Tower Bridge ” of Loos. Piper Laidlaw is the first man of the Scottish Borderers to win the V.C. in the present war.
Piper Daniel Laidlaw marching up and down the parapet of his trench playing his pipes to rally men shaken by the effects of gas, Battle of Loos, 25 September 1915. Illustration for Deeds That Thrill The Empire (Standard Art Book Co, c 1919).
Artist: Bagdatopoulos, William Spencer (1888-1965)
