Lieutenant Charles Davidson Dunbar, D.C.M. 1870-1939

Photo by Alan L Brown - April 12, 2004

Plaque Location

The City of Hamilton
On the wall of the Armouries on the east side of James Street North just north of Cannon Street

Plaque Text

An internationally renowned piper, Dunbar was born in Halkirk, Scotland. In 1886 he joined the British Army, embarking upon a distinguished career as a military piper. During the Boer War, Dunbar was wounded while piping troops into battle. For his gallantry he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. In 1911 he emigrated to Hamilton where he soon joined the 91st (later the Argyll and Sutherland) Highlanders. As pipe-major of the 19th Battalion, he saw action during the First World War. Widely respected for his devotion to duty and gentlemanly demeanour and acclaimed as a musician and bandsman, Dunbar received many honours. Unique among them was his appointment as lieutenant in 1917, the first pipe-major to become a pipe-officer in the history of Canadian and British forces.

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