Violin played in WW1 trenches by Kirkcaldy VC hero goes on display in town

The instrument, which was owned by Robert Dunsire VC during the First World War, is now proudly displayed at Kirkcaldy’s Old Kirk.

Dunsire received the Victoria Cross for outstanding bravery during the Battle of Loos in September 1915. Born in Buckhaven, he was a talented violinist before enlisting with the 13th Battalion of the Royal Scots in 1915. He was known for entertaining his fellow soldiers with his music, but, later that year he lost his beloved violin in the trenches.

As word travelled of the soldier’s bravery, a replacement instrument, made by Kirkcaldy violin-maker Peter Berry, was presented to Dunsire on his next leave home. Sadly, Robert Dunsire was killed in action just a few weeks later in January 1916 aged just 24 years old, and is buried at the communal cemetery in Mazingarbe, France. His Victoria Cross is on display at Edinburgh Castle.

That replacement violin was lost in the subsequent decades, before being discovered in a Dundee antique shop. Eventually it came into the possession of Kirkcaldy luthier, David Rattray, who restored it to its former glory.

Having previously been held in storage by Fife Cultural Trust, the violin is now on long-term loan and on display at the Old Kirk, which is home of the award-winning Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society, which has also it in commemorative pieces written for Dunsire’s memory.

Mr Rattray said: “Peter Berry, the creator of this iconic instrument, was one of a handful of early 20th century violin makers, active in the Kirkcaldy area.

“In common with the others, lutherie was not Berry’s principal occupation: his business was that of cabinet maker. Only three of his violins have come to light, all meticulously made to his own idiosyncratic patterns with deeply fluted edgework and stylised, ornate scrolls, with his name and construction date engraved on the upper back.

“When the ‘Dunsire’ violin came into my possession in 2018, the restoration work and setup returned this significant piece it to its former glory and revealed its fine-sounding, warm and even tone. It gives great pleasure to know this instrument will be displayed in the beautiful setting of the Old Kirk.”c

The presentation was welcomed by trustees at the church.

Rosemary Potter, chair, said: “It has been a pleasure to hear the violin played in recent performances by the Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society, and we look forward to hearing more from this beautiful instrument in future years.”

Graeme Wilson, musical director and conductor of Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society, said: “Over and above the human aspects of this story, both sad and celebratory, to have the violin in the vicinity of the Orchestra's work and performance space is a great link with the past, considering that Robert Dunsire was a member of one the forerunner music groups now embodied in KOS.”

The violin can be viewed during opening hours at the Old Kirk. For more information on future performances, and to learn more about the violin’s history, visit the Kirkcaldy Orchestral Society website.