Laurie Porter

Donald Lindsay Sproule

by Laurie Porter

Story 134

My late father, Lieutenant Donald Lindsay Sproule was in 7th Division Signals during WW2.

His photo appears on page 49 of the book "Signals" - he was "snapped" whilst on a boat, playing his bagpipes, as the men were leaving for the Middle East. His beloved bagpipes travelled with him throughout the war. At one time, his pipes were on a ship which was bombed. They were returned to him, one piece at a time - whenever an unfamiliar item was retrieved from the wreck of the ship, he would be asked something to the effect: "Does this happen to be a piece of your bagpipes, by any chance?" Only one piece (of trim) from his bagpipes remained lost.

I now have those precious bagpipes (still with one piece missing).

Story 134

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