Seaforth Pipe Band playing retreat at Agira, Sicily 1943. The official caption is "Seaforth Highlanders pipe band playing "Retreat" in main square of Agira. They received a big hand from the Italian." The Seaforth Pipes and Drums plays " retreat " in Agira's main square on the evening the town was captured. A CBC recording of the event was broadcast around the worldCanadian Army Overseas Photo (22531). "Agira 1943" LAC PA-193886. Old SH of C Museum # 998-144.18Pipe Major Ed Esson leading. From the Regimental History (page 190): "The Pipes and Drums had always been the pride of the Seaforths and there were times when only the pipes could express the feelings of the battalion. Such was the case at Agira. Since they had landed, the pipers and drummers had been used for a variety of tasks from "mule skinners" to helping with the numerous jobs behind the lines which were vital to keep the men at the front supplied. The dry heat of Sicily played havoc with the settings and tensions of both pipes and drums, but when Pipe Major Esson was asked to beat "Retreat" in the Town Square of Agira, he managed to round up the band and have his instruments decently in tune. It was the first time in weeks they had played, but the shrill cry of those Scots tunes never sounded sweeter than in that ancient town. There was pride in every piece, and defiance in every note. There would be times, later, when the pipes would again sound their tunes of glory, but there was something about that "Retreat" played in Agira which would be remembered with particular poignancy by all who were there to hear it. The "Retreat" was rebroadcast to the world by the B.B.C."