The Piper of Dargai

The grave of Piper George Findlater VC in Forglen Kirkyard. Piper Findlater of the Gordon Highlanders was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1898. Despite being being severely wounded in both feet whilst leading the Gordons' attack on the Heights of Dargai (in what is now Pakistan) he propped himself against a rock and although under heavy fire continued to play 'The Haughs of Cromdale' to encourage his battalion into battle. He received the Victoria Cross from Queen Victoria whilst recovering in Netley Hospital.

After the war Findlater supplemented his army pension by playing in music halls. This was disapproved of by the War Office but his protestations that he could not live off his pension eventually led to an increase in army pensions.

At the outbreak of World War 1 Findlater, then farming in the Turriff area volunteered and served as Sargeant Piper with the Gordons in France before being invalided out on account of his earlier injuries.

He returned to farming and died in 1942.