Pipe Major Charles Gilbert Taylor 5th Cameronian Sgian Dubh
Pipe Major Charles Gilbert Taylor - WW1 5th Cameronian (Scottish Rifles)
We acquired a fine 1938 sterling silver sgian dubh made by the famous bagpipe maker Peter Henderson of Glasgow. Due to its interesting history it required some research.
Charles Gilbert Taylor - Regimental number 5476 - Cameronian (Scottish Rifles)
Charles was born at 88 Albert Street, Glasgow on the 26th April 1888. His parents were Archibald Taylor (Brush maker) and Marion Taylor M.S. Campbell
Charles or Chas Taylor joined The Cameronian - Scottish Rifles in 1914. He became Pipe Major of the 5th Cameronian (Scottish Rifles) in 1915 after the former Pipe Major Archibald Paterson was killed by a tram in Glasgow on 25th November 1914. PM Paterson was previously Pipe Major of the HLI and was at the battle of Tel el Kebir. He had then become Pipe Major of 1st Lanark Volunteer Rifles which became the 5th Scottish Rifles.
In the book Pipes Of War it lists him as being the Pipe Major ( Rank of acting Sgt ) of the 5th Battalion and being invalided on the 1st October 1915 during an action during the Second Battle of Ypres, Flanders.
The Pipe Band of the 5th Cameronian Rifles ceased to exist from mid 1915 to the end of 1916 due to the pipers becoming wounded whilst serving in the ranks. The band was reformed in 1916, but the men did not take part in front line action until the last phase of the war where they had to be employed in the ranks. The 5th Cameronian pipe band played the battalion back out of the Hindenburg line in April 1917.
On the medal roll for Pipe Major Charles Taylor 1914 Star it records him as being Discharged on the 21st April 1916. His full record of his medal awards show the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal on 1st July 1915, Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
After the war Charles became a Electrical Engineer but continued piping.
He died on the 3rd January 1958 at 72 Midcroft Avenue, Glasgow.
Peter Henderson shop 1932 Renfrew Street, Glasgow
Peter Henderson Bagpipe & Highland Dress
Peter Henderson was born on 14 November 1851 at Inverkeithing, Fife and his company, Peter Henderson Limited, was founded in 1880. He took over the premises from Donald MacPhee who had been in business since 1868 and continued his tradition. The first recorded Peter Henderson P.H Glasgow sterling silver hallmark we have recorded is 1911.
Peter Henderson was Pipe Major of the Glasgow Volunteers and won the marches at the Northern Meeting, 1884. He also published bagpipe music, such as the Henderson’s Collection 1888.
Peter Henderson died aged 51 and the family continued to run the business until 1973 when it merged with R G Hardie bagpipe makers.
No 6 Coy 5th Cameronians Oct 1914 - Including two pipers. Sadly we do not know if the one on the right is Charles G Taylor, but it is possible.
The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a rifle regiment of the British Army, the only regiment of rifles amongst the Scottishregiments of infantry. It was formed in 1881 under the Childers Reforms by the amalgamation of the 26th Cameronian Regimentand the 90th Perthshire Light Infantry.
The 1/5th Battalion was one of the first Territorial Force units selected to reinforce the Regulars of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France. It landed at Le Havre on 5 November 1914, joining 19th Brigade on 19 November. At this time 19th Bde also included 1st Bn Cameronians[a] 19th Brigade was attached to the 6th Division; later it moved to 33rd Division, a 'Kitchener's Army' formation.
The 1/6th Battalion landed at Le Havre as part of the 23rd Brigade in the 8th Division in March 1915 for service on the Western Front. It later joined 33rd Division and in 1916 it merged with the 1/5th to form 5th/6th Bn