THE PIPER'S V.C.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1916, Page 4

THE PIPER'S V.C.

'•BLUE BONNETS." '•Good-bye, Dan. Be sure you 'bring back the V'.C." Thus Mrs. Daniel Laidlaw to her husband when the left for France some seven month's ago. Dan has * "proved a dutiful husband. He has brought homo the V.C,

Behind the bald official announcement of his cool heroism near Loos and Hill 70 on •September 25 lies as stirring a story as is written in military annals. Yet, says the Daily Graphic, ho toldSt as though it was quite an ordinary event. "There was a light wind that morn* ing," he said quietly. "It was blowing a bank of gas towards the German trenches when th'?ir high exphwive shells.burst in its midst and; sent it amongst our own men (the 7th King's Own Scottish Borderers). 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 pipta, exclaimed! 'For GodWsake, Laidl&w, pip* them together!'" * To mount the parapet in front of hi« comrades was but a moment's work. And in another moment Piper Laidtaw teht out upon the light morning breeie the stirring ajraina of the K. 0.5.8. regimental march, "Blue Bonnets Over th* Border." The effect was magical: At once the men regained all their dash and nerve, hurtled out of their position, and swept down upon and captured (he fior-

man's drat trench. Then forward Piper Laidlaw marched, changing his tune to "The Braes of Mar;" his comrades following to 'the next and # the next German lino. Hut Piper Laidlaw could go no farther. A German shell, * the fragments of which inflicted a mortal wound on Lieutenant Young, hurled at him a stump of a post and some tangled strands of barbed wire. The wire out _ oir the heel of his boot as with a razor stroke, and a strand embedded itself through his boot leather into his foot. > Shrapnel, too, had struck him in the face and on the hands. Nevertheless, as lie lay on the ground, he piped as long as strength remainde. By now the ptpea had worked their charm to the full. From where he lay, Piper Laidlaw could see his comrades' walkthrough the third lino ' of the ••ierman trenches. When he was able to hobble back to his own lines, clutching tightly his precious pipes, lie was met by bis com- ■ maiider, Colonel Verncr, and the adjutant, Lieutenant Lethbridge. The latter clapped him heartily on the back, ex- - claiming, "You've done well this morning, Laidlaw!" , , His first comment on hearing ol his honor was a fine one. ,- r only wish my officer, Lieutenant Young, was with us; he deserved it more than L' Then, after a moment's reflection, Laidlaw. added, 'Anyway, I'm mighty pleased my captain", Caotain Dennis, has got..the D.S.C, He's a great soldier, tye was severely wounded, but kept the men together and led them splendidly."