Wilson, P/M John
Started tuition in 1915 under P/M Robert Thomson of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders at Edinburgh Castle then two years later under Roderick Campbell. Achieved a string of major successes in the 1920’s and 30’s despite having lost major parts of his thumb, forefinger and middle finger of his left hand in a detonator explosion in 1918. In 1939 he volunteered for Army service and was made P/M of the 4th Battalion Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. In June 1940 he was captured, together with the rest of the 51st Highland Division, at St Valery while piper to General V. Fortune and spent the next five years as a POW (hence one of his tune titles). Emigrated to Canada in the late 40’s and continued to compete there. Published three Collections of Bagpipe Music – Book 1 (1937), Book 2 (1957) and Book 3 (1966).