The ‘Battle’s O’er’

Pipers are being asked to take part in a unique and simple way to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War. The College of Piping is assisting Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, founder and pageantmaster with ‘Battle’s O’er – A Nation’s Tribute’.

A mass playing of the retreat march, When the Battle’s O’er outside cathedrals and other locations at 06:00 on Sunday, November 11, 2018.

Many millions were either killed or returned home dreadfully wounded, along with remembering the families and sweethearts that lost husbands while having to stay at home to keep the ‘home fires burning’. At 06:00 on November 11, 1918 the Armistice of Compiègne was signed between the Allies and Germany. It marked the end of the fighting on the Western Front and ultimately the end of the Great War, that terrible, gruelling four year conflict that saw millions killed and wounded, including around 2,000 pipers. Countries all around the world were affected in what was one of the largest wars in history.

Pipers will play the Pipe Major William Robb  composition, When the Battle’s O’er at 06:00 local time at a cenotaph or war memorial in your village, town or city.  Everyone playing the tune together at 06:00 local time. This is the time when the Armistice was actually signed on November 11, 1918. It came into effect at 11.00.