A rare set of bagpipes which accompanied Australian soldiers on the Western Front in the First World War have recently been returned to Australia after over a century overseas.
With funding assistance from the Australian Government's National Cultural Heritage Account, these beautifully restored Center Bagpipes have found their way home to the RSL in Mackay, Queensland. They will soon be on public display in Mackay, over a century after they were presented by the town to the 42nd Battalion prior to the Battalion's service in Belgium and France in 1916–17.
The bagpipes were crafted in Melbourne in 1908 by leading bagpipe maker John Center & Sons. They are an excellent example of the type of Highland Bagpipe which was present on the Western Front throughout the First World War.
These bagpipes would have been a common feature of military life, accompanying the 42nd Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force throughout their war service, and seeing major battles including Passchendaele in October 1917 where the battalion took heavy losses, losing over a third of its strength.
This acquisition is particularly important for the people of Mackay as many of the soldiers in the 42nd Battalion were drawn from the local region. In addition, bagpipes had particular importance to those serving as they represented connections to the British army and Scottish communities in north Queensland.
It was common for bagpipes to be played on the Western Front, with pipers present at numerous battles. This unique example of Australia's military history provides an insight into the lesser known aspects of life during war service, connections with home for those fighting on the front lines, and the continued tradition of military bands in Australia's armed forces.
Its connection to the 42nd Battalion and the community of Mackay reflects the enduring impact of the Anzac legacy on Australian society.
These bagpipes are now on display in the Mackay RSL.
