Pipe Band of the 16th Battalion, CEF Canadian Regiments in World War I often had a pipe band also known as Canadian military bands. The most well known Canadian pipe band during World War I was the one of the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish), CEF. The 16th Battalion was formed in September 1914, shortly after Canada entered the First World War. After the enlistment process began, the 16th Battalion called for an entire pipe band to escort them in the war. After arriving on the front, and throughout the war, the 16th Battalion rarely fought without their pipers. During the war, many of the 16th Bn pipers served as runners who brought orders, rations, and ammunition to the front, while others acted as stretcher-bearers responsible for bringing wounded troops to the rear. Although some pipers were permitted to play during the battles, most would play while the troops marched to the front, and during the ceremonies that were held between battles. For the first part of the war, the tune "Scotland is my ain Hame" was used during the marches, which was later was changed to "All the Blue Bonnets are O'er the Border." In total, the 16th Battalion had thirty pipers enlist during the First World War. Canada's most famous piper during World War I was James Cleland Richardson of the 16th Battalion; however, other pipers also risked their lives to play alongside the Canadian troops during the war. During the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915, pipers James Thomson and William McIvor of the 16th Bn died of wounds they received following a German gas attack. A month later, pipers George Birnie and Augus Morrison of the 16th Battalion died from enemy fire. In 1917, piper John Park of the 16th Battalion was killed. In August 1918, piper George Paul, who later received a Military Medal was killed while playing the bagpipes atop a tank in Ameins. Piper Alec McGillivray of the 16th Battalion, who also received a Military Medal, was killed by a shell burst. In September 1918, Pipe Major James Groat was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for playing his colonel (Lt Col Cyrus Peck, VC) into action.