http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=610256&v=1#x7996594
Thread resurrection.
I just found out the story behind this song. Huge lump in throat.
In the National archives, there is a report of an officer in the 1st Tyneside Scottish, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders Regiment), summarizing the unit's operations on May 17 - 20, 1940 near Ficheux, France. The report is likely transcribed from a handwritten report set down in a POW camp.
Among other notable acts of gallantry and courage, the report includes the following:
"L/Cpl Laidler – a Piper to the last – taking his pipes into action and being killed with them."
Lance Corporal Laidler was Frederick John Laidler. He was just 20 years old when he was killed.
Had Lance Corporal Laidler survived and returned to his family, he would have been Mark Knopfler's "Uncle Freddie."
Knopfler describes the moment of Freddie's death in the latter's own words:
This has been a day to die on
Now the day is almost done
Here the pipes will lay beside me
Silent will the battle drum