Chanters silenced: pipers lost in the Great War – Angus Morrison, a heroic Uist piper killed

One wonders just how many pipers died as a result of World War I. Had they lived, what might have been the positive effect on the progression of the art?

In honour of the centenary of the end of the Great War, we continue our “Chanters Silenced” series. pipes|drums will pay homage to the sacrifice made by many of the world’s best and brightest young pipers of the time by bringing our readers regular installments from our archives as we approach November 11, 2018.

+ Chanters silenced: pipers lost in the Great War

The next time you might feel anxious competing in a competition, gathering up enough courage to play your pipes or drum, try to imagine those who carried a tune for their company on a raging battlefield in France or Belgium during this atrocious conflict.

Perhaps it will help to calm you by putting things in better perspective.

We hope that you appreciate this series, and pause to reflect on the courage of these Highland pipers.

SATURDAY, JULY 17, 1915.

A HEROIC UIST PIPER KILLED.

Piper Angus Morrison.

Deep regret is felt over the district of Iochdar, South Uist, on official information being received by Mrs Dugald Morrison that her son, Piper Angus Morrison, 16th Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, was killed in action about the 28th May. Piper Morrison went to Vancouver eight years ago, and on the outbreak of the War joined the 72nd, and came over with the first Canadian Contingent. He went through some stirring engagements, including, the recovering of the lost guns when the Canadians were gassed by the Germans. He was 32 years of age. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs Morrison, who has other three sons serving their King and Country – two in the H.L.I. and one in the Navy.

Stay tuned to pipes|drums for the next in our ongoing “Chanters silenced: pipers lost in the Great War” series, leading up to November 11.