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| PM Robert 'Rob' Roy |
In
June of last year I wrote about a Scots piping hero Bill Millin — who led
troops during the D-Day landings in 1944. Many, if not all, have heard of his
bravery in piping the troops ashore at Normandy. Yet three years earlier, at
the Siege of Tobruk, April - November 1941, in Libya, North Africa, another soldier achieved similar hero
status piping for the troops. His name was Robert "Rob" Roy.
A
Scotsman in the 2nd Battalion Black Watch, piper Rob Roy gained the title of
Piper of Tobruk for his role in the breakout at Tobruk after being besieged by
Axis forces led by Lieutenant General Erwin Rommel during the 241 days. The
Port of Tobruk was a key location for the Allies as it was the only major port
between Tripoli and Alexandria. Holding it forced the Germans to transport
needed supplies over the 1500 km of desert. The location of the port also posed
a threat to that same German supply line. The battle was fierce with repetitive
bombings and ground assaults. Tobruk marked the first time that the advance of
the German Panzers (under Rommel) had been brought to a halt.
As
the Allies started their offensive to break out of the Axis stranglehold, Roy
was called to play his pipes. Felled by a bullet at the start of the breakout,
he got to his feet and continued playing, only to be hit again. Once more he
got to his feet, but was hit a third time. Unable to get up this time, he kept
playing his pipes while lying on the ground. Pipe Major Roy continued a
distinguished military career serving in India and Burma, Gibraltar and Scotland
as RSM.
PM
Roy passed away on August 24, 1960 while rehearsing for the Edinburgh Military
Tattoo. After his death, a military funeral took place at Hayfield Cemetery in
Kirkcaldy, when his pipes that had inspired men on the battlefield were heard
again — in lament. Five senior army officers who had commanded Pipe Major Roy
were among those who joined his widow Hilda at the graveside.
It
has been 53 years since PM Roy’s death, and yet his daughters Alice and
Margaret, and son Robert are still amazed when they hear of history buffs
remembering Roy and his service to his country. As Alice and Margaret recalled
last year, "As young children we grew up with the sound of pipes being
played by students in every spare room in our Dundee home. Their sound still
evokes a curious mix of emotions — they cheer you up one minute, yet make you
feel a little sad and homesick at the same time. The drone of the pipes,
wailing a slow lament, turns your mind to all those who gave their lives for
their country. “
As
long as men are stirred to fight for liberty and freedom, men like PM Rob Roy
will be stirred to serve and fight. As Roy’s daughter said so eloquently of the
soldiers who gave their last breath for their country, “They may be gone, but
none will be forgotten."
Rob Roy was my Mums cousin. I think there is more to his story, but most of its lost in family memory now. I seem to recall he was captured in Greece escaped to find he had been usurped by another Pipe Major. This was a state of affairs that did not last long.
ReplyDeleteRob Roy was my Mums cousin. I think there is more to his story, but most of its lost in family memory now. I seem to recall he was captured in Greece escaped to find he had been usurped by another Pipe Major. This was a state of affairs that did not last long.
ReplyDeleteFacinating to find out about my grandad and his amazing life. I really wish I could have met him. Colin, grandson
ReplyDeleteA story of chance here. I was waiting in the Kirkaldy Cemetery to attended another funeral and saw I was standing at the grave of Robert Roy "The Piper of Tobruk". I hadn't heard of him before then. A brave man.
ReplyDelete