Did anyone else see this documentary? I caught it the other night, it was very moving, almost impossible to keep a dry eye. What incredibly brave and devoted men. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b046y9td/pipers-of-the-trenches
My husband and I watched it. Very good programme, about something which I knew nothing about beforehand.
Fantastic programme, you beat me to this. What l found so moving was their sound recording of the battle. Sounded pretty real me. And then you had the personalities, pictures, the guys who were there. Just stand up there on the top and play your pipes and we will follow you over? Nick KenFentonsWar.com
Our nearest main shopping centre of Chilliwack has it's own Piper Henderson V.C. honoured with a statue outside the main Library which was unveiled by the last WW2 Canadian V.C. - "Smokey" Smith some six years ago… Henderson laid down his pipes to lift many wounded men to safety and thus earned his V.C…..the main point of interest was that the Pipes went missing and were presumed lost for ever only to be found in a collection in Scotland and thus returned to Chilliwack where the Council decided that a statue should be built…one of the last acts of "Smokey" as he died shortly afterward at aged 91 - he was laid in State in Ottawa then had a full military funeral in Vancouver with his ashes thrown in the Straits of Georgia - my own connection with "Smokey' was that he could often be found on the back of my Tank going into action during the Gothic Line battles- cracking jokes of course …. on his way to the UK for the King to present the V.C. to him - he spent the night in the slammer in Naples in case he found a pub and missed the plane …… They don't make them like "Smokey" these days Cheers
Hi Nick, The sound recording was one of the important aspects of the program in my view, brilliantly conceived, and as was clearly visible, painful to listen to. I was interested, but not surprised by the scientific trial relating to the inspirational effect of the pipes on Army service personnel of Scottish heritage. I actually believe the sound of the pipes would fill many of us with extra adrenaline during such moments of conflict. Cheers Steve
It was an excellent programme and very moving. When the pipes were played at the canadian memorial was just one of the moments that made you dab youre eye , the same pipes that played there 100 yrs before . To go over the top with a rifle was extrordinarily brave to do it with nothing to defend yourself was unbelievable . A truly brilliant piece of tv. dave
Thanks for posting that. We can't get the BBC feed but it is available on YouTube. The scene at Vimy was particularly inspiring.
Steve, The pipes have an effect of the Brits, English, Welsh, Irish or Scots and l am sure, many of our allies. I know that for a fact. The fact that they were drowned out would not matter if you could see him there, playing away. Certainly did not stop the piper. Not sure anything could play above that orchestra of death!!!! Great programme. Nick
good day bamboo43,very senior member,yesterday.05:36pm.re:the pipers of the trenches.your link is for uk only but i will try u.tube,thank you for posting regards bernartd85
Thanks again for the replies, I'm pleased that those outside of the UK can pick the program up on You Tube.
In case anyone missed when it was first shown it was on today and can be seen on iplayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b046y9td
