Pipers to play in tribute to war heroes

Hundreds of pipers around the world will join in playing a tribute to thousands of Scots who died or were captured during “the forgotten Dunkirk” 80 years ago.

More than 200 pipers from 16 countries have signed up to play Heroes of St Valery on their doorsteps at 10am on June 12.

On that date in 1940, just days after the mass evacuations at Dunkirk, thousands of British troops remained in continental Europe under French command and were surrounded at St-Valery-en-Caux.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response so far”

Those who were not killed in the fierce fighting marched hundreds of miles to prisoner of war camps in eastern Europe.

Willie Armstrong, a founding member of Celtic rock band the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, is among those to play.

Mr Armstrong, who served in the Royal Navy for four years and is a retired fire service officer, said: “I’m delighted to be involved and it’s amazing to see the global piping community come together for such an important commemoration.”

Neil McLennan, Aberdeen University director of leadership programmes and RCET director, has been convening the St Valery 80th Commemorations Committee.

Organisers hope it could be the biggest pipeplaying event in history.

He said: “We have been overwhelmed by the response so far. There are pipers signed up from as far afield as Peru and Singapore, with scores more joining every day.”

To register interest in taking part visit www. poppyscotland.org.uk/ st-valery