May we never underestimate the power of music. James Richardson, a Canadian piper in World War 1, certainly didn’t.
In the bloody Battle of the Somme, the 20 year old Canadian stood atop the trenches in full view of the enemy, and used the cry of his pipes to inspire his company to go “over the top”. His heroics and his inspired fellow soldiers helped to seize an important position that ultimately put an end to the battle.
What happened to the Piper?
His heroics didn’t end there. Later that day, after rescuing a wounded soldier, James Richardson returned to the battlefield to retrieve his pipes but was never seen again.
What happened to the Pipes?
For 90 years it was believed that the bagpipes were lost in the mud… until they were found in a Scottish elementary school in 2002 having been retrieved by an Army Chaplain who returned from the war to become a teacher.
The mud-caked and blood-stained pipes, were returned to the Canadian army and are on display in the British Columbia Legislature.
So let’s Remember…
The heroic men and woman from yesterday and today who put their lives in harms way so our children and our children’s children can live in peace.
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