Vintage 1938 Peter Henderson Celtic Knot Silver Sgian Dubh - PM Charles Gilbert Taylor 5th Cameronian Rifles WW1
Vintage 1938 Peter Henderson Celtic Knot Silver Sgian Dubh - PM Charles Gilbert Taylor 5th Cameronian Rifles WW1
Vintage 1938 Peter Henderson Celtic Knot Silver Sgian Dubh - Belonged to Pipe Major Charles Gilbert Taylor 5th Cameronian Rifles WW1
Celtic knot carved Blackwood hilt mounted with a citrine style stone in a claw set bezel. The sterling silver mounts are engraved with a Celtic knot pattern surrounding a circular disc. The blade is in good used vintage condition ( please see photographs).
Hallmark - P.H Peter Henderson - Glasgow 1938
Pipe Major Charles Gilbert Taylor 5th Cameronian Rifles WW1
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.
Vintage & antique sgian dubh
The Gaelic sgian dubh meaning “black knife”, where “black” may refer to the usual colour of the handle of the knife. It is so suggested that “black” means secret, or hidden, as in the word blackmail. This is based on the stories and theories surrounding the knife’s origin and the meaning of “Dubh” in Gaelic, in particular those associated with the Highland custom of depositing weapons at the entrance to a house prior to entering as a guest. Despite this practice, a small twin edged-dagger, (‘Mattucashlass’), concealed under the armpit, combined with a smaller knife, (‘Sgian dubh’).