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For those who are interested here is a link to a brief biography about Sir Harry.

http://www.sirharrylauder.com/

A few months ago, while sitting at my pc in the piney woods of southeast Texas known as the "Big Thicket." My daughter in law Nancy forwarded a URL to me with a note it said, "I think you'll like the music." Little did I realize when I clicked my mouse that my life was about to change. The image of a kilted Scotsman came onto the screen with the melodic strains of "Scotland The Brave"
The homepage belongs to Gordon Irving a resident of Glasgow, Scotland, a writer, journalist, published author and 'retired' Theater Critic. He is also now one of my dearest friends. It is because of him that I have established this the "Official Website for Sir Harry Lauder" Gordon encouraged me to find and read "Great Scot, The Absorbing Life Story of Sir Harry Lauder Legendary Laird of the Music Hall" a book that he had written and now unfortunately out of print. There was not a copy to be found until he happened across a copy at a Scottish flea market and sent it to me. I don't think anyone could read this book and not be touched on some level by Sir Harry Lauder which is why I'm on a quest to find a publisher with an international market to put "Great Scot" back into circulation so everyone, friends, loyal fans and hopefully a new generation of fans alike can read his biography that could only be written with the insight of a personal friend.

Henry MacLennan Lauder called Harry was the first of eight children born to John and Isabella McLennan Lauder a couple of little financial means. At the tender age of twelve Harry lost his father to pneumonia at a time when there was no government assistance for widows with small children. Young Harry took a part time job in a flax mill consisting of three days a week, working until his fingers bled for a few pennies a week to help his mother support his younger siblings. Attending school three days a week he delighted in entertaining his class mates with imitations of their teacher until he was caught in the middle of his routine by you know who. Punishment was swift.
Two years later Harry found work in a coal mine working for dollars instead of a few cents. It was dangerous work and he sang to himself to bolster his courage. Soon, his co-workers were calling out, "Let's have a wee sang, Harry ma lad!" They encouraged him to enter local talent contests that earned meager but cherished prize money. He finally entered a contest singing the two songs he knew best, "Bonnie Annie Laurie" and "I'm a Gentleman Still".

He won second prize and given the chance to sing in small music halls. Harry Lauder singer, song writer, comedian (wearing a kilt and carrying a crooked, knobby stick) was on his way up the ladder to international fame. One of the things that strikes me about him is that he never demanded x number of dollars which is the norm today for less talented people but gratefully accepted what was offered and became the highest paid entertainer of his time.
Harry met Annie Valance destined to be the only woman he would ever love, it was love at first sight and he could think of nothing or no one else. Though still teenagers, they gained family permission to marry. He wrote "I love a Lassie," "She is my Rosie," "Queen Amang the Heather," "She's the Lass for Me" and "Bonnie Wee Annie" all for his "Nance" a nickname that he gave her.

Years later when World War I raged in Europe January 1, 1917 to be exact while Harry was
on tour he received a telegram while having breakfast with friends at the Bonnington Hotel in London. It read, "Captain John Lauder killed in action December 28, 1916"
Harry Lauder and his beloved wife Nance lost their only child a son on a battlefield in France. The Theater manager closed the show until further notice knowing it would be impossible for any star to go on stage to tell jokes and sing.
Harry rushed home to be with his wife and spend a private time of grief and prayer. His wife reminded him of millions of other parents that had received similar telegrams and encouraged him to go back to London and reopen the show to keep from putting hundreds of people out of badly needed work.
Returning to the theater he was given a letter that had arrived by special messenger. It was from a fellow officer that had been with his son John when he was killed. It read, "The Captain" he wrote had died with great gallantry calling out the words "Carry On." Harry Lauder the father in a devastating state of loss answered his dying son in the only way he knew and the call of entertainers "The Show Must Go On" was born. Harry, did carry on that night singing his songs and telling jokes giving all he had to give. When the final curtain fell he fainted.
Weeks later he tried to enlist for combat into the military and was rejected for combat because of his age. I'll quote from "Great Scot" and let Harry Lauder tell you in his own words what happened. "Right then" replied Lauder "let me sing to the boys. I'm an entertainer......I can make their load a wee bit lighter wi' a sang or two and a joke or two. It's the least I can do for memory of John" No one had ever made such a request before. Many performers had entertained in military hospitals but none had actually gone to the battlefield where the enemy objected to his performance by sending rounds of live ammunition. After weeks of debate in the War Office Harry Lauder became the first person to entertain troops (both British and American) in the battlefield. With a small custom built piano tied to the grill of a military vehicle he sang and joked his way across France in base hospitals, old chateaus, pillaged barns and dug outs. It was a practice he repeated in World War II. Now in his seventies, after receiving a request from Sir Winston Churchill. He answered, again quoting from "Great Scot" "If I can hirple on to the platform and sing a wee song it shall be my duty to do so." He was a special favorite of American troops who came over to Scotland and were billeted at Glasgow. Many had heard from their own fathers of how good an ambassador this man Lauder had been in the previous great war in Europe.
His Majesty, King George V bestowed knighthood on Harry Lauder for service to his country in Buckingham Palace with his dear Annie now Lady Lauder in attendance.
(It is my own personal opinion that our US Congress should bestow their own highest honor on Sir Harry Lauder on behalf of all American troops who have benefited from the practice begun by him) Note: I wrote to my Congressman and received a political non-answer.
Sadly Lady Lauder died just before he received the "Freedom of Edinburgh Award" in 1927. An empty chair was placed on the platform next to her husband in her honor.
Sir Harry turned to his faithful niece Greta Lauder daughter of his brother Alick to run his household which she did with quiet and gracious dignity. Sir Harry, said of her, "only her presence makes Laudervale a place of delightful ghosts and fragrant memories still habitable for her lonely old uncle."
So it was that a lad born of poor and loving parents in Portobello, Scotland grew up to entertain and be entertained by his King, the Royal Family, five American Presidents, Heads of State and battle weary troops.
If you have ever laughed at at jokes about a mean penny pinching Scot (a myth started by Harry Lauder when in truth his heart was as tender as a newborn babe) laughed while watching Danny Kaye imitate a Scot wearing a kilt and carrying a crooked walking stick, if you or a member of your family was ever entertained by any performer on a battlefield, then your life has been touched by Sir Harry Lauder.

A few months ago I had never heard of him and now I am one of his biggest fans. I lovingly admire this man who never let fame and fortune rob him of his humanity or his humility. He wasn't without faults who of us is? He was a human being that used the talent given to him by God, and gave the world the precious gift of laughter when it's soul was crying.
Gordon, thank you for introducing me to your friend and allowing me to quote so heavily from " Great Scot" and to my daughter in law "Yes Nancy, you were right, I love the music."

Sir Harry, Lady Lauder love of your husband's life, John the joy of your parents and Greta devoted niece and guardian angel, this website is for you.

Thank You Scotland for Sharing
Your Native Son With The World.

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