Piper plays lament to crowds in Middleton for finale of World War One commemorations

Colin Murphy, Middleton's lone piper

Crowds of people gathered outside the former Providence Church in Middleton to hear lone piper Colin Murphy play a traditional Scottish lament on Sunday 11 November.

Played at the end of battle - 'Battle’s O’er' marks the exact time the Armistice was signed in 1918 and signalled the finale of the four-year commemoration of World War One.

The piper played during the early hours of the morning on Remembrance Sunday, also co-inciding with Armistice Day this year, at the moving centenary tribute at the site of the former church, created by Ros Liddle and Jan Eaton-Dykes.

The magnificent creation features two silent soldier silhouettes, plus a floral carpet of poppies around their feet as a third soldier carries their fallen comrade.

Ros said: “Both myself and Jan were overwhelmed by the Lone Piper (thank you so much Colin) and by the response from fellow Middletonians, who, despite the early hours, turned out to remember Middleton's brave men.

“We would not have stood there this morning if they hadn't given their everything for us.”

Jan added: “When Ros messaged me at 5.30am and said 'there's crowds, Jan' I thought she was winding me up. But no, there were crowds of you and it was wonderful. Thank you all so much for turning out to hear Piper Colin Murphy play When The Battle's Over. 

“[This is] An event that will go down in history as part of the Centenary Commemorations of World War One, which Middleton is now part of.”