1910-2000

Allan Piper

Allan Piper was born on July 16, 1910, in Waterville, Quebec, and later moved to Cornwall, Ontario, joining the Canadian Militia when he was 16 years old. When he was 29 years old, at the outbreak of the Second World War, he held the position of Regimental Sergeant Major of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, but later was commissioned and rose to the rank of Captain.

Mr. Piper was Canada’s first double amputee of the war, having lost both his hands in a grenade explosion while instructing in England in 1942. When he returned to Canada, he joined The War Amps and served as:

• Manager, Key Tag Service
• Past-President, Ottawa Branch
• Chairman, War Amps Convention Committee (1955)

His niece wrote a book about him in 1998 entitled Look Ma! No Hands! that recounts how he adapted to life as an amputee and learned to drive. It also details how he became an accomplished hobbyist, once winning an award for building a doll house with 780 pieces of hand-cut linoleum.

For his dedication, Mr. Piper received the Distinguished Service Membership and the Meritorious Service Membership.

He passed away on December 22, 2000.
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