Storming of Dargai Heights by the 1st Gordon Highlanders. The Wounded Pipers Gallantry by Richard Caton Woodville.
Christmas, which is essentially the spirit of home, turns our thoughts more sympathetically then at any other season of the year to our kinsmen across the seas, especially to our soldiers in the lonely outposts of the Empire. This picture recalls a famous incident in the story of our Indian Frontier which was thrilling the Motherland about this time twelve years ago. On August 23rd, 1897, the warlike tribe of the Afridis attacked Ali Musjid and Fort Maude. In October a British force was despatched to punish them by invading Tirah, their summer home, and on the 20th of the month occurred the fight on the Dargai Heights, where the enemy had taken up a strong position. The Gurkhas were first sent up, but were met with a withering fire. Then the Derbys and the Dorsets tried to rush the entrenchments; but at last the (1st) Gordon Highlanders were told off for the perilous task. Headed by their pipers, and led by Lieut.-Colonel Mathias, they dashed through a murderous fire, and in forty minutes won the height, leaving three officers and thirty men killed and wounded on the way. The individual acts of courage were equally splendid, and the conduct of the pipers in particular roused great enthusiasm. Their Lance-Corporal was shot through the chest, but Piper Findlater, after being shot through both feet and unable to stand, sat up under a heavy fire and continued playing the Cock o the North to encourage his comrades. His gallantry raised an enormous wave of public enthusiasm. He received the V.C. and retired on a pension to his native Aberdeenshire.
Open edition print. Image size 14 inches x 9.5 inches (36cm x 24cm). Price £16.00
**Open edition print. (3 copies reduced to clear) Image size 14 inches x 9.5 inches (36cm x 24cm). Price £10.00
ITEM CODE DHM0020
