Summary
Piper Daniel Laidlaw showed remarkable bravery during World War One by playing his bagpipes to rally his regiment. He did this at the Battle of Loos in France, helping his fellow soldiers despite the presence of poison gas and enemy fire. Laidlaw received the Victoria Cross, a high military honor, and there is now a campaign to honor him with a statue.
Key Facts
- Daniel Laidlaw played bagpipes to rally his regiment during World War One.
- He did this during the Battle of Loos in 1915 under dangerous conditions, including poison gas and machine gun fire.
- Laidlaw was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.
- Only three pipers have ever received the Victoria Cross.
- There is a growing effort to honor Laidlaw with a statue in his hometown.
- A plaque already commemorates Laidlaw’s Victoria Cross, and his bagpipes are displayed at the regimental museum.
- Laidlaw's great-grandson is part of the campaign for the statue.
- Laidlaw was born in Berwickshire in 1875 and served in the Army before World War One.
