This painting entitled ‘Forever Scotland’ by C H Sanders shows Pipe Major James MacKay of the Seaforth Highlanders playing a lament at the graves of Major Norman Charles Orr, DSO, and Major Fearnley Anderson, DSO, MC.

Both officers, aged 39 years, were murdered by outlaw tribesmen while walking outside their encampment near Landi Kotal, Khyber Pass in Pakistan on 8th April 1923. Their deaths raised questions in both houses of parliament and serious concerns between the governments of the UK, India and Afghanistan!

Charles, Anderson, and Mackay joined the Seaforth Highlanders in 1902 and would have known each other well. During World War One, both Charles and Fearnley were wounded in action more than once and awarded the DSO. Anderson was sent from France to Mesopotamia where he was shot in the head in and repatriated for recovery; he was awarded the Military Cross.

After the war, the Seaforths were reformed and sent to the Northwest Frontier of India where the murders took place. Both officers were keen sportsmen and popular within the regiment and the painting depicts a very fitting tribute.

Research by Roland Stewart 

This black and white photograph in The Highlanders’ Museum archival collection shows the grave of Major Pearnley Anderson DSO MC and Major Norman Charles Orr DSO; the same grave depicted in the painting by Sanders.