Bannockburn pipers pay tribute to fallen
Trio fromTulliallan Pipe Band take part in cenotaph service
Three Bannockburn pipers — two with a family link to World War One — took part in a nationwide tribute to those who died in the conflict.
Craig Howie, plus 14-year-old Aaron Taylor and his 10-year-old brother Callan — from the Tulliallan Pipe Band — participated in a ceremony at the cenotaph in Bannockburn on November 11, the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice.
They piped ‘Battle’s O’er’, a traditional Scottish lament which is typically played at the end of fighting. The 6am tribute to the fallen was the prelude to a day of nationwide events to commemorate those who died in the First World War.
More than 2000 pipers took part across the country, commencing the day’s events.
After the boys finished piping, Arron and Callan’s mum Aileen read out a poem as those in attendance paid their respects to the fallen.
These included Allan Taylor, 91, who was a piper during the Second World War.
Allan was one of the first men to step foot in Japan after the Hiroshima bombing in 1945, where he piped the men off the boats.
Drew Taylor, dad of Aaron and Callan, said of his father Allan: “I have so much admiration for what he and others like him did during their time in the army, the stories that he has told us are incredible”.
The family then visited Bannockburn cemetery, where they piped for Drew’s grandad John Taylor, who was a runner in the World War One.
John was gassed in the trenches and spent two years in a military hospital in England before returning home to his native Cambusbarron.
“When he arrived home, stories that we have heard about his time in the army were also incredible and gut wrenching at the same time. It was a miracle that he survived.”
Bruno Peek, pageant master, who helped organise the national piping tribute, thanked all those who took part, adding: “Their involvement in this unique historic tribute to those who either died or returned home dreadfully wounded... is truly amazing to say the least”.
He added: “The playing of Battle’s O’er by over 2000 pipers at individual locations around the world will be marked in history as one of the most moving occasions of all time and those taking part should be congratulated.”
More than 1000 beacons were also lit on the November 11 to symbolise “an end to the darkness of war”, and thousands of churches rang their bells for peace.
Their role in historic event is amazing