LORD ASHCROFT'SSergeant "HERO Piper OF Daniel THE Laidlaw MONTH" VC SergeantLORD ASHCROFT'S Piper Daniel Laidlaw "HERO VC OF THE MONTH" On the very day of his some eight years. In 1929, however, LEFT: bravery, Laidlaw was promoted he re-enacted his VC action for the Sergeant Piper to corporal for his distinguished film Guns of Loos and in 1934 he also Daniel Laidlaw SERGEANT PIPER pictured in service in the field. Sadly, the took part in the film Forgotten Men. action during equally inspirational Second By now, Laidlaw was affectionately the opening day Lieutenant Young, who had known as the ‘Piper of Loos’ – or of the Battle of been severely wounded in the sometimes just ‘The Piper’. For a time, Loos. (HISTORIC fighting but who insisted on Laidlaw worked as a chicken farmer MILITARY PRESS) walking to the dressing station and, from 1938, as sub postmaster rather than being stretchered at Shoresdean, near Berwick-upon- DANIEL there, died from loss of blood. Tweed. After the outbreak of the Over their three days of fighting Second World War, his son, Victor BELOW: LORD ASHCROFT'S until 27 September, the 7th joined the KOSB in 1940, aged 20. When news "HERO OF Battalion suffered 656 casualties Laidlaw died at his home in Shoresdean of Laidlaw’s THE MONTH" (dead and wounded). on 2 June 1950, aged 74. Hundreds VC actions VC Laidlaw’s VC was announced of mourners attended his funeral. became public LAIDLAW on 18 November 1915 when Memorials in his honour include a knowledge, they became, perhaps his citation detailed how he plaque on a wall at St Cuthbert’s Church, unsurprisingly, had ‘played his company out Norham, the venue for his funeral. His the subject BOLDNESS of the trench’. His citation VC medal group was donated to the of numerous • concluded: ‘The effect of National War Museum of Scotland on 25 artists and AGGRESSION BOLDNESS his splendid example was September 2005 when, to mark the 90th illustrators – as • immediate, and the company anniversary of the Battle of Loos, pipers, these drawings, INITIATIVE LEADERSHIP for different dashed out to the assault. Piper including Laidlaw’s great grandson, SACRIFICE • SKILL • publications at Laidlaw continued playing his re-enacted his VC action at the spot the time, testify. ENDURANCE pipes until he was wounded.’ where he had stepped on to the trench (HISTORIC MILITARY 7th was ordered to attack at He received his VC from parapet in 1915. PRESS) The many Victoria Crosses and George Crosses in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum in 06.30 hours but everyone stayed where London are displayed under one of seven different they were. Second Lieutenant Martin qualities of bravery. Whilst Sergeant-Piper Daniel Young, the company commander, Laidlaw’s award is not part of the collection, Lord realised inspiration was required in the Ashcroft feels that it falls within the category of difficult circumstances and he shouted boldness: at Piper Laidlaw: ‘For God’s sake, “At certain times people take a calculated risk. With audacity, dash and daring, much can be achieved. In Laidlaw, pipe ’em together.’ simple terms, who dares wins. Boldness combines Laidlaw seized the moment and, force with creative thinking. It is impetuous and often disregarding the gas and the heavy completed before anyone knows what is going on.” enemy bombardment, advanced over the parapet, accompanied by Young, and marched up and down playing ABOVE RIGHT: ANIEL LOGAN Laidlaw A contemporary was born in Little Swinton, Blue Bonnets over the Border. drawing Berwickshire, on 26 July 1875. Encouraged by the skirl of the pipes depicting British He was one of four sons of Robert Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) until jobs included working as a canteen and roused by Young’s call for action, troops assaulting 11 April 1912. On 11 April 1906, he had manager and at a horse-breeding the men of the 7th Battalion went German trenches Dand Margaret Laidlaw, who lived in Coldingham, Berwickshire. After married Georgina Harvie at the Baptist centre. After the outbreak of war, ‘over the top’; other troops soon on the opening Church, Alnwick, Northumberland, Laidlaw re-enlisted in the KOSB on day of the attending the National Schools at followed. Battle of Loos. Berwick-upon-Tweed and Lesbury, and the couple went on to have 1 September 1914 and, in June 1915, As the sole piper in No Man’s Land, Note how some Northumberland, Laidlaw joined the five children: three sons and two he travelled to France as part of the Laidlaw was the obvious target for the attackers are Army on 11 April 1896. daughters. regiment’s 7th (Service) Battalion. enemy but he initially escaped injury. wearing PH Gas Until June 1898, he served in India After returning from India in 1912, The 7th was selected as an assault However, as he advanced towards the King George V in an investiture at Helmets. with the Durham Light Infantry. Next, Laidlaw was put on the Reserve battalion for the approaching Battle of enemy lines, still playing his pipes, Buckingham Palace on 4 December (HISTORIC MILITARY PRESS) Laidlaw served as a piper in the King’s and during this time his civilian Loos and its men, including Laidlaw, he was hit in his left leg and ankle 1915, while still recuperating from his VICTORIA CROSS HEROES trained for four weeks at Labeuvrière, by shrapnel. Limping forwards, he injuries. Laidlaw was also awarded the i Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC is a RIGHT: near Béthune. On the night of 24 switched his tune to The Standard French Croix de Guerre. businessman, philanthropist, British troops September 1915, they went to their on the Braes o’ Mar but soon he was Laidlaw’s wounds were treated at Lord author and pollster. His five advance through assembly trenches and the two leading wounded again by shrapnel, further Derby’s Hospital, near Warrington, books on gallantry include a cloud of poison brigades (44th and 46th) were initially Victoria Cross Heroes. gas as viewed injuring his left leg. With the battle Lancashire, but he eventually returned For more information, from the trench tasked with capturing the Lens Road won, Laidlaw hobbled back to the to serve in France. He was promoted to please visit: www. which they and the Loos Road Redoubts. British trenches, dragging his beloved sergeant-piper on 12 October 1917, his victoriacrossheroes.com have just left: The battle began in earnest early bagpipes with him. final rank, and survived the war before Lord Ashcroft’s VC and GC a remarkable the next day, 25 September, and, after Laidlaw later recalled: ‘I kept on being demobbed on 3 April 1919 after collection is on public display snapshot taken the final bombardment of the enemy at Imperial War Museum, by a soldier of piping and piping, and hobbling after twenty-two years and two months of close to Loos and Hill 70, the 7th KOSB London. For more information the London Rifle the laddies until I could go no farther, service. visit: www.iwm.org.uk/ Brigade on the waited for the release of poison gas and and then, seeing that the boys had won Despite being a VC recipient, heroes. For details about his opening day smoke on the German lines. However, the position, I began to get back as best Laidlaw found it difficult to find VC collection, visit: www. of the Battle the adverse weather blew the gas back I could to our own trenches.’ He said regular employment after leaving lordashcroftmedals.com of Loos, 25 towards the British positions and that his once black hair had turned the military. For a time he worked at For more information on Lord September 1915. troops manning the trenches were white within hours of his Victoria the Sunderland shipyards but during Ashcroft’s work, visit: www.lordashcroft.com. (COURTESY OF Follow him on Twitter: @LordAshcroft MARK KHAN) badly affected. Amid chaotic scenes, the Cross action. the recession he was unemployed for www.britainatwar.com www.britainatwar.com.