Daniel Laidlaw

Daniel Logan Laidlaw VC (26 July 1875 – 2 June 1950), nicknamed "The Piper of Loos", was a Scottish soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces, for his actions during the Battle of Loos in the First World War.

Only one other piper was awarded a VC during the First World War, the Scottish-born Canadian soldier James Cleland Richardson.

Early life Laidlaw was born at Little Swinton, Berwickshire on 26 July 1875 and joined the Army in 1896. He served with the Durham Light Infantry in India, where he received a certificate for his work during the Bombay plague epidemic of 1898. He then transferred as a piper to the King's Own Scottish Borderers, and in 1912 he transferred to the reserve.

First World War

Laidlaw re-enlisted on 7 September 1914 and was appointed acting Corporal before leaving to serve in France in February 1915.

He received the VC from King George V at Buckingham Palace in early 1916. This was followed by two promotions, to Corporal and then Lance Sergeant by the end of 1917. In the same year, the French awarded him the Croix de Guerre, which was commonly awarded to members of allied armed forces for heroic deeds. He was demobilised in April 1919 and transferred to the Class Z Reserve later that month.

His grandson, Victor, donated his Victoria Cross and other medals to National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street, Edinburgh,

Personal life In April 1906 Laidlaw married Georgina Mary Harvie at the Baptist Church, Alnwick, Northumberland. They had three sons and three daughters.

He died at Shoresdean, near Berwick-upon-Tweed, on 2 June 1950, and was buried in St Cuthbert's churchyard, Norham, Northumberland.