Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The ‘Battle of Loos’ Wauchope Gallantry Medal awarded to Piper D. Armit, 2nd Battalion, The Black Watch

Wauchope Medal, for the Battle of Loos, obverse inscribed ‘For conspicuous gallantry in the capture of German Trenches Sept. 25th 1915’, reverse inscribed ‘2nd Bn The Black Watch, To Piper D. Armit from Lt. Col. A. G. Wauchope’, good very fine and rare £500-600

In the attack by the 2nd Black Watch at Mauquissart on 25 September 1915, the pipers took a prominent part, playing their companies up to and through the German first and second lines. After three lines had been captured the order to attack the fourth was given. Piper David Simpson at once dashed forward playing, followed by his company; he was killed just as they reached the objective. His bravery earned him the title, for long after, of “The Piper of Loos.” He was recommended for the Victoria Cross. Further on, Piper Alexander Macdonald alternately played from one trench to the next and assisted in bombing the enemy out of their dugouts. In the third trench he marched, playing “Macgregor’s Gathering,” down the trench at the head of the bombers, and then climbed onto the parapet and continued playing. He was ultimately wounded and lost his leg. For his gallantry he was given the D.C.M., but did not long survive to enjoy the honour as he died soon after his discharge. At the same time Piper R. Johnstone went on playing until he fell gassed. As pipers fell out wounded, others took their place and the battalion was played continuously into and through the action. It appears to be a tradition among the pipers of this battalion that they were always to play whenever an opportunity occurred. Pipers David Armit and J. Galloway played right up to and through the German support trenches.

The regimental history records that ‘Piper Armitt (sic), after playing his platoon into battle, assisted the bombing parties to drive the enemy back.’