Document I: Alexander MacGillivray

in the Great War

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Audio Book

Document I: Alexander MacGillivray in the Great War

“He would go in anyway.”

LCpl Alexander MacGillivray MM was a piper killed at Hill 70 who refused to draw lots. Any piper who had grounds for suspecting he had been discriminated against in the ballot, taunted his comrades with injustice, and insisted on accompanying the attacking troops. Brave men, who met death when it came to them unflinchingly.

Alexander MacGillivray was born on 5 January 1888 in Acharacle, Argyllshire, Scotland — son of John and Flora MacGillivray of Woodend Cottage. A big man, standing 5’10” tall, 175 pounds, with fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair, he enlisted with the 72nd Regiment, Seaforth Highlanders on 23 September 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec, and was immediately placed on the 16th Battalion paylist.

Before the attack at Hill 70 started, Piper MacGillivray told the sergeant major in confidence that he felt “anxious” — afraid that, burdened as he was with his pipes and equipment, the company men might scramble out in front of him and so bring disgrace on a Highland piper. He was allowed to climb out before the rest, and when the barrage opened he led off the advance, well ahead of the attacking wave, playing his pipes.

At the Blue Line, while the brigade reformed under fire, this piper played without ceasing — marching up and down before the 16th companies, then striding off to the front of the 13th Battalion. As that battalion’s history records, with shells falling all around him, eyes blazing with excitement and kilt proudly swinging, he piped as only a true Highlander can when men are dying or facing death.

LCpl Alexander MacGillivray MM is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial. The location of his remains is unknown.

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