Charles Davidson Dunbar facts for kids

Charles Davidson Dunbar, who earned the DCM, was born on July 17, 1870. He made history as the very first pipe major to become a pipe officer in both Britain and the British Empire. He moved from Scotland to Canada, where people called him "Canada's greatest military piper."

Early Life in Scotland

Charles Davidson Dunbar was born in a small village in northern Scotland called Halkirk. His mother, Alexandrina Leith Miller, was a needlewoman. Even though his family wasn't rich, his mother made sure he learned to read and went to school.

When Charles was six years old, his mother passed away. He then lived with some of his older half-brothers and sisters for a few years. Later, his half-brother, Alexander Davidson, who was a policeman in Edinburgh, took him to a special school called the "Ragged School" (also known as an "Industrial School"). This school helped children who didn't have homes or much money.

At this school, Charles learned to write and became a carpenter. It's believed that this is also where he started learning to play the bagpipes. The school was set up to teach children useful skills and give them a safe place to live.

Joining the British Army

In 1886, just before his 16th birthday, Charles Dunbar left the school and joined the military. He became a piper with the Seaforth Highlanders. Even though he was only 5 feet 3 inches tall, people said he looked taller because of how he stood and carried himself.

He was a very talented piper and quickly moved up. After serving in Scotland and Ireland, he joined the 3rd Royal Scots. Then, in 1895, he became the pipe major for the Second Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders. This was a big achievement, showing how skilled he was as a piper in the army.

While his regiment was in Scotland, Charles met Margaret Dolina Murray, who everyone called "Maggie." They got married in Edinburgh in 1896. Soon after, they had their first son, William Charles Dunbar. That same year, Charles Dunbar even played the bagpipes for Queen Victoria when she visited his army camp!

Serving in the Boer War

In 1899, Charles Dunbar and his regiment were sent to South Africa to fight in the Boer War. This was his first time in a real battle. At the Battle of Elandslaagte, he bravely played his pipes to lead the Gordon Highlanders into the fight. He was wounded in the head, but he kept going! For his amazing courage, he was given the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM), which is a very important award for bravery. He was also recognized for his bravery three more times, including during the famous Relief of Ladysmith.

After the war, Charles and his family moved back to Scotland. His fame as a piper grew. He taught other pipers and often played at parades and Highland games. He won many awards for his piping skills.

Moving to Canada

After 24 years in the army, Charles Dunbar decided to move to Canada in 1911. He and his family settled in Hamilton, Ontario. Soon after, their last child, a daughter named Margaret (or "Peggy"), was born.

In Hamilton, Charles worked as a clerk for a company that used horses to deliver goods. He was a very dedicated employee. He also joined the 91st Regiment, which later became the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada. He became their pipe major in 1913. Charles taught his sons to play the pipes, but none became as skilled as he was.

World War I Service

When the First World War began in 1914, Charles Dunbar was one of the first to join up again. He went to France and then to England. He soon became the pipe major for the 19th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Even though trench warfare made it very dangerous, Charles volunteered to pipe his troops into battle. He and his pipers led their battalion through tough fights in Belgium and France, including at Ypres and the Battle of the Somme. During the Battle of the Somme in 1916, Pipe Major Dunbar was seriously wounded by shrapnel in his stomach and leg.

After many months of getting better in England, he returned to Hamilton in 1917. That same year, he was given a special promotion: he became a lieutenant. This was a very unique honor because he was the first pipe major in the history of British and Canadian forces to become an officer while still leading a pipe band! He stayed in this special role until he retired in 1937.

After the Wars

Under Charles Dunbar's leadership, his pipe band became famous around the world and won many awards. He was known for being very dedicated and for helping to train young soldiers. He also continued to win many prizes for his piping and dancing in Canada, Britain, and the United States throughout the 1920s.

His last parade was in 1936. He had earned many medals throughout his long career, including the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal, and several long service medals.

When he retired in 1937, Charles Dunbar was honored with a special dinner. Officers praised him as a great soldier and a true gentleman. One officer even called him "the successor to the MacCrimmons of Skye," referring to a famous family of pipers.

Charles Dunbar had been unwell for a while, and he passed away on January 25, 1939, just two years after retiring. At the time of his death, he was still known as the only commissioned pipe major in the British Empire. His funeral was a very grand event, with many pipers from different regiments playing in his honor. He was buried with full military honors in Hamilton, Ontario.

In 1983, a special plaque was put up in Hamilton to remember Lieutenant Pipe Major Charles Dunbar and his amazing life.

Images for kids

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  The John Weir Foote VCA Armouries, where a plaque honors Charles Dunbar.