Journal 2008 - The Journal Royal Highland Fusiliers - The Royal ...

ForewordIt gives me pleasure to introduce our Journal and tocommend Colonel Bobby Steele and his team at HomeHeadquarters not only for producing this publication butalso for providing the glue that continues to hold the fabricof our regimental family together. This Journal is publishedjust before the second anniversary of the formation of TheRoyal Regiment of Scotland. Far from being overwhelmed orsubdued by the consequences of this latest reorganisation ofthe Infantry, I am pleased to report that in the ranks of theserving soldiers, and in the extended family of the branches ofour Association, the Royal Highland Fusiliers are setting thepace and doing their bit to keep our torch burning brightly.This spirit draws its strength amongst the serving men fromthe challenges of contemporary operations and an absolutedetermination that our best traditions will be carried forwardin their day and generation. From what I have seen on myrecent visits to the regular and TA battalions, professionalism,unswerving comradeship and a genuine sense of benevolencetowards our comrades, past and present, remain strong strandson the golden thread of the Royal Highland Fusiliers.The regular battalion has had a frantic and at times frustratingyear. In the course of ten months they served in four differentbrigades in four different divisional headquarters. Rather thanbeing blown off course in such choppy waters, their mindsetis best summed up in a passage taken from a letter written byLieutenant Colonel Paul Harkness on relinquishing command.“Operations are what the Jocks live for. They are never happierthan when they are doing what they joined for, which shouldcome as no surprise in a volunteer professional Army. Itdoesn’t matter how cold, wet or hungry they are, they remainindomitable. In fact the worse the conditions the more cheerfulthey are – we are a peculiar breed of people who seem to thriveon adversity”. During 2007 they nimbly switched their effortsbetween training exercises, public duties and state ceremonialin Scotland and their preparations for operations in Iraq andAfghanistan. As you read this they will be testing their mettleat the start of a difficult and dangerous operational tour inHelmand Province in Afghanistan and until they return inlate September they will remain in our thoughts and prayers.Such operations are not without their costs and at the end oflast year we lost Captain John McDermid. I am grateful tothe many, many hundreds of you who travelled to InvernessCathedral on 26th November 2007 to pay your respects and tosupport Gill and the rest of the family in their darkest hour.Away from operations, they have excelled on the sportingfield either as champions or as finalists in hockey, squash orthe Army’s Rugby Community Cup. These efforts are bestsummed up by the remark made to me on a recent visit to thebattalion when the Quartermaster said “not bad for a footballbattalion”! We should also rejoice that once again an all-ranksgroup travelled to the Republic of South Africa to study thebattlefield and to compete in Exercise Swartzkopf Challenge.This gruelling exercise mimics the heroic acts of manhandlingthe wheeled artillery at the Relief of Ladysmith in February1900. The aim of the competition is to haul a one-and-a-halfton cannon up a high vertical slope as quickly as possible andin 2007 the Jocks saw off the South African Defence Force,South African Police and the Royal Navy Field Gun Team towin the competition.The TA battalion has had a testing time on operationsproviding a force protection element in Kabul as well asindividual reinforcements for Iraq, the Balkans and Germany.They played a significant role in Exercise Summer Challenge;designed to offer fast-track training and entry into the TAfor those who can make themselves available for six weeksintensive training in Scotland. In addition the battalion onceagain took a lead role in supporting Glasgow’s Service ofRemembrance in George Square. I was pleased to see so manyRHF veterans marching behind the Standard of the GlasgowBranch and hope that numbers will swell yet further in 2008.Our Royal Colonel has taken an active interest in all areasof our activities visiting the Royal Highland Fusiliers ofCanada in May, hosting an all-ranks reception at the Palaceof Holyroodhouse during His Royal Highness’s appointmentas Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of theChurch of Scotland. The Duke also visited the 2nd Battalion THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

Calendar of Events 2008This is an outline calendar forecasting the various events so far planned for the period April 2008 to December 2008. Someof the events are subject to alterations and should these happen or new functions/events are added in the calendar they willbe notified accordingly (See Forum in the Regimental website www.rhf.org.uk for updates). All known events that will takeplace at Home HQ RHF have been included to show what other dates are free for bookings. Home HQ can also be booked for almostany evening.The Regiment needs your support at all Remembrance Day Parades in George Square, Glasgow or Wellington Square, Ayr.16th April 200830th April 20084th May 200810th May 200814th May 200828th May 200811th June 200825th June 200828th June 20089th July 20083rd September 200817th September 200823rd September 200826th September 200827th September 20081st October 200815th October 200829th October 20085th November 20089th November 200811th November 200812th November 200826th November 200810th December 2008Officers’ Luncheon Club at Home HQOfficers’ Luncheon Club at Home HQBlessing of the Glasgow Veterans Standard at Glasgow CathedralHLI Reunion Home HQOfficers’ Luncheon Club at Home HQOfficers’ Luncheon Club at Home HQOfficers’ Luncheon Club at Home HQOfficers’ Luncheon Club at Home HQAll Ranks Dinner Dance (TBC)Officers’ Luncheon Club at Home HQOfficers’ Luncheon Club at Home HQOfficers’ Luncheon Club at Home HQAssaye DayAnnual Officers’ Regimental Dinner City Chambers GlasgowAnnual Officers’ Regimental Luncheon (Venue TBC)Officers’ Luncheon Club at Home HQOfficers’ Luncheon Club at Home HQOfficers’ Luncheon Club at Home HQInkerman DayRemembrance SundayRemembrance DayOfficers’ Luncheon Club at Home HQOfficers’ Luncheon Club at Home HQOfficers’ Luncheon Club at Home HQ(NB: When the Battalion returns from Afghanistan there will be Welcome Home Paradesin Glasgow and Ayr – in Oct/Nov 2008, dates to be confirmed.) THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

Location of Serving OfficersRepresentative Colonel: Major General W E B Loudon CBEDeputy Representative Colonel: Colonel N T Campbell1. General Staff ListColonel N T Campbell – Asst Director Plans HQ APHCSColonel P A S Cartwright OBE – Asst Director Cbt Eqpt, EqptDiv, HQ Land2. Former RHF Officers in Other AppointmentsColonel J M Castle OBE – Col Msn Sp Gp, Op Sp GpColonel A L Reid OBE – Col Inf MCM Div APC GlasgowMajor C C J W Taylor – OC A Coy 5 RIFLESCaptain K Greene – AGC(SPS)3. Regimental ListLIEUTENANT COLONELS:P K Harkness MBE – SO1 Plans/Comprehensive Approach PJHQArmy MND(SE)A D Johnston MBE – SO1 Info Ops HQ ARRCA C B Whitelaw – Regtl Lt Col Scottish DivW A Common – Dep Garrison Comd HQ Warminster GarrisonN H De R Channer – CO Oxford UOTCD C Richmond – CO 5 SCOTSJ Garven MBE – SO1 COS Jt Stf Div J3 HQBF CyprusA D Middleton MBE – BLO GE Inf/UK HVO German Infantry SchoolD N M Mack – CO Sp Bn HQ ARRCN R M Borton MBE – CO 2 SCOTSC L G Herbert – SO1 J5 OCE HQ RC(S) (OP TELIC)S J Cartwright – SO1 L15 DS ACSC JSC &Staff CollegeD G Steel – SO1 AITAT HQ LWCTG(G) SennelagerMAJORS:H M Miln – SO2 G3 ATE SEA, DOPS(DTE) – HQN B V Campbell – SO2 G2/G3 HQ Catterick GarrisonD C Masson – 2IC 1 SCOTSE A Fenton – SO2 LT WPNS (DS40 ICSC(L)) DCMT DefenceAcademy ShrivenhamP Hutt – SO2 Instr CS&O Wg, Exch Offrs – AustraliaA J Fitzpatrick – 2IC 2 SCOTSM P S Luckyn-Malone – OC FSp Coy 2 SCOTST J Cave-Gibbs – OC C Coy 2 SCOTSA S J Douglas (Late KOSB) – OC A Coy 2 SCOTSN D E Abram – SO2 Man Plans 1 Mech BdeK C Thomson – Gurkha Contingent Singapore Police ForceS R Feaver – SO2 Plans Req&Risk D Def Log OpsT H C De R Channer – OC B Coy 2 SCOTSN G Jordan-Barber – SO2 Change Mgt HQ ARTDP A Joyce – Requirements Manager JBTSE IPT Abbey WoodT A Winfield – ICSC(L) ShrivenhamF A L Luckyn-Malone – SO3 G3 O&D 4 Mech BdeN J L Brown – SO3(AI TRG) HQ LWCTG(G)CAPTAIN:R R Keating – Int Offr 2 SCOTSIntermediate Regular CommissionCAPTAINSD D J Mackinnon (Late HLDRS) – Adjt 2 SCOTSJ R L Savage (Late RLC) – 2IC A Coy 2 SCOTSJ A Reid – SO3 NBC/Digitisation 52 Inf BdeR R D McClure – Trg Offr 2 SCOTSM J Munnich – HS 5 SCOTS (Det Duty)D R Taylor – RSO 2 SCOTSB O’Neill – OC Mortars 2 SCOTSR S Montgomery – 2 SCOTS(Det Duty)Short Service CommissionCAPTAINSJ A French – SO3 G3 NBC/Digitisation 20 Armd BdeM J Rodger – SO3 G1 Ops 102 Log Bde GuterslohN A Wheatley – 619 TACP Osnabruck FAC HQ 1Armd DivN P Bridle – Ops Offr 2 SCOTSM D Kerr – 2IC C Coy 2 SCOTSE D Aitken – OC ATK 2 SCOTSL G Curson – AFC HarrogateV T Gilmour – Pl Comd 2 SCOTSI D Brember – Pl Comd ATR PirbrightLIEUTENANTSA G Lipowski – 5 SCOTSA R Gill – Pl Comd 2 SCOTS (Att to 2 YORKS)J B McVey – Pl Comd 3Bn ITC CatterickG W Muir – Pl Comd 2 SCOTSA M Sweet – Pl Comd 2 SCOTS (Att to 2 YORKS)D J W Morgan – Pl Comd 2 SCOTSD E Reed – Pl Comd 2 SCOTSO W Bridle – Pl Comd 2 SCOTS2nd LIEUTENANTSB S E Davey – Pl Comd 2 SCOTSA N Lassoued – PCBC/Pl Comd 2 SCOTSC K Law – Pl Comd 2 SCOTSM A Dobson (Late AGC) – PCBC/Pl Comd2 SCOTSG C MacGregor – PCBC/Pl Comd 2 SCOTSM D Oladjins – PCBC/Pl Comd 2 SCOTSJ D House – PCBC/Pl Comd 2 SCOTSIntermediate Regular Commission (Late Entry)MAJORS:J E B Kerr MBE – QM(M) 2 SCOTSS Wemyss (Late HLDRS) – QM(T) 2 SCOTSG A McGown MBE – ICSC(L) ShrivenhamCAPTAIN:W G A Hunter – UWO 2 SCOTSShort Service (Late Entry)MAJOR:C Kerr – OC HQ Coy 2 SCOTSCAPTAINS:A T Grant – OC ART, GlasgowJ K Law – RCMO 2 SCOTSR C Welsh (Late A&SH) – MTO 2 SCOTSTHE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

which subsequently became the Royal Scots Fusiliers. Secondly,the 21st of Foot did not participate in the Battle of Corunna. The1st Battalion at the time was engaged with the French in Sicilyand the newly-formed 2nd Battalion spent the time betweenScotland and Ireland.Dear Mr Kelly,The National Trust for Scotland28 Charlotte SquareEdinburgh EH2 4ET28th June 2007Thank you for your letter of 6th June highlighting twohistorical inaccuracies contained in the Georgian House video.We have consulted with the National War Museum of Scotlandand I can confirm that the reference to the Royal ScotsFusiliers and also their association with the Battle of Corunnais indeed incorrect. I have been informed that these errors mostlikely stem from the various amalgamations that have takenplace over the years. The Battle of Corunna honour belongs tothe Highland Light Infantry and not the Royal Scots Fusiliers(the Victorian name for the 21st Regiment of Foot) who mergedin 1959 to form the Royal Highland Fusiliers.The National War Museum recommends that the video be changed torefer to the Highland Light Infantry who did participate in the battle.I am most grateful to you for bringing these inaccuracies tomy attention.Yours sincerely,Mark AdderleyChief Executiveno more than good but the words, as one might expect from theNational Bard, are truly inspiring.Best wishes. Yours aye,Colin Winter[Editor: not “restoration” but “continued existence”]Dear Alastair,From: Lieutenant Colonel D M Robertson10 Netherby Park, WeybridgeSurrey KT13 0AE(01932 857423)6th December 2007I do applaud the effort that is being made to sustain the identity ofour Regiment through the continuing publication of a dedicatedmagazine. I thought the first issue to be commendable, and I greatlyenjoyed reading it. My enjoyment was enhanced by CorporalCameron’s memoir which he has called The Fight Against Eoka.The period of which he writes in such detail and so accurately isone in which I was serving in 1 HLI, as indeed were you, and hisreport of the year we spent in Bulford stirred many memories.Not least of these was the Presentation of Colours by HRH ThePrincess Margaret, and in the picture that accompanies the articlethe Subaltern who has just received the Queen’s Colour is myself.Ordinarily that would be unremarkable, but four years later whenthe amalgamation took place I was still a Subaltern serving withthe Battalion and I had the great honour and privilege to carrythat same Colour when it was laid up in Glasgow Cathedral. Giventhe normal lifespan of a Stand of Colours it must be very unusual,if not unique, for a Colour to have been carried by the same officeron both Presentation and Laying Up!Dear Alastair,From: Lieutenant Colonel C S WinterShellachanKilchrenanBy TaynuiltArgyll PA35 1HD(01866 833263)4th December 2007I look forward to the next issue of the truncated Journal, and inparticular to the next instalment of Corporal Cameron’s diary.Yours ever,Douglas[Editor: This Edition is less truncated than its predecessor; there is roomfor all the remainder of Corporal Cameron’s ‘Fight Against Eoka’.]Thank you for your newsletter on the latest Regimental Dinner.I was gratified to learn from you of the restoration of HielanLaddie and The 71st Quickstep to the pipe programme.I suppose it was predictable that the Royal Regiment ofScotland would adopt Scotland the Brave as its quick march. Ihave always disliked this irksome tune with its banal words butat least it is infinitely preferable to that dismal dirge Flower ofScotland. No wonder Scottish sports teams always lose whenthis tune lacking words and melody of any merit is played.I have always thought it a pity that Scots Wha Hae has neverachieved greater acclaim and popularity. The tune admittedly isDear Alastair,From: Lieutenant Colonel C S WinterShellacha, KilchrenanBy TaynuiltArgyllPA35 1HD(01866 833263)6th December 2007A few months ago, Flora and I visited Philip Maxwell (RHF 1966–75) and his wife Briar at their fabulous cliff-side home in the farNorthwest corner of the Island of Islay. It is difficult to exaggerate THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

the beauty and isolation of this delightful spot – Ultima Thuleindeed, next stop America.The photograph shows myself and Philip in front of the ferryat Port Askaig. The tune I am playing is, of course, LeavingPort Askaig.The opportunity to play this fine old Willie Ross tune was quiteirresistible on this the first time I have visited Islay and was nowabout to embark for Oban.I have been playing this tune for over 30 years. Perhaps I should say,rather, trying to play it. I remember on one occasion in 1984 in Belfast,when I was commanding Charlie Company, going up to the Pipes andDrums to have my pipes tuned. After being assisted by the ever patientand courteous Cpl McQuade, I struck up Leaving Port Askaig.Apparently, a few moments later Pipe Major Gavin Stoddart burstout of his office exclaiming “Who’s that idiot playing Leaving PortAskaig? Where is he?” “Just round the corner there, Pipe Major,”replied Cpl McQuade innocently.Round the corner, oblivious to the offence being given to the PipeMajor’s discerning ear, was I gently mangling aforesaid tune but,on seeing his thunderous countenance and realising all was farfrom well, ground to a feeble, wailing halt. There was an uneasypause then Gavin took a deep breath and growled, “Oh don’t stop.You need all the practice you can get.”.Best wishes. Yours aye,Colin WinterTHE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

Book ReviewsThe British Army – a pocket guide 2008-2009 ed Charles Heyman(ISBN 978-1-84415-280-3 Pen & Sword Books Ltd, £5.99)Some might doubt whether a small book such as this merits a review,bearing as it does on its title page the important caveat that itscontents have been gathered from unclassified sources. Those whocare to read it are almost certain to dissent from that view.Running to a total of 231 pages, it begins with a detailed ContentsList of the items covered in its 14 chapters. Despite the small fontused of necessity, it is well laid out, easy to follow, and contains noserious typographical error that this reviewer could spot. The text issupported by numerous silhouettes of aircraft and vehicles currentlyin service. A select list of standard military abbreviations at the endof the book will prove handy, and not merely to those who (like thisreviewer?) merit the description of outdated old buffers.Towards the end of this worthwhile little book is a collectionof military and general quotations, commended to youngOfficers and NCOs as useful for briefings. Under the headingFinally, there is this gem, overheard at RMA Sandhurst: DrillInstructor to an embarrassed Officer Cadet who appears to becompletely incapable of identifying left from right – “Tell me,Sir, as an outsider, what is your opinion of the human race?”A S RCONFRONTATION – The War with Indonesia 1962-1966 byNick van der Bijl (ISBN 9781 8441 55958 Pen & Sword Books,2007, £19.99, but available more cheaply when ordered directvia the publisher’s website)The Brunei Revolt of December 1962, although led by localdissident/aspiring nationalist politician Azahari, had the undoubtedbacking of Indonesia. That revolt was swiftly and decisivelyquelled by 99th Gurkha Infantry Brigade flown out in haste fromSingapore. This consisted principally of the standby battalion (1stBn Queen’s Own Highlanders) and 1/2nd Gurkha Rifles and wasjoined a little later by ‘A’ Squadron 22 SAS and other key units.Immediately thereafter however the adjacent East Malaysian statesof Sabah (formerly the British Crown Colony of North Borneo) andSarawak (which the ‘White Rajahs’ of the Brooke family had ruled)both became the target of sustained Indonesian armed incursionsemploying both regular and irregular units, the latter in particularenjoying a good deal of succour from Communist elements withinthe ethnic Chinese population (which was especially large inSarawak). Defeating ‘Confrontation’ (a term derived directly fromthe Indonesian Konfrontasi) was to call for a long campaign in whichMalaysian, British and Commonwealth forces fought.The problem had been growing for some years. As far backas the 1950s, the activities of the Clandestine CommunistOrganisation (CCO) in Sabah had been a cause for concern, ashad more recently been those of the Sarawak United People’sParty in that State. Indonesia’s incursions thus had to be seen as aserious threat at least to the stability of Malaysia, if not to its veryexistence. Malaysia had only just been established, and Indonesia’sunpredictable President Achmed Sukarno, long nurturing hisstated ambition of extending Indonesian influence, had beenopenly hostile to the concept of Malaysia, branding it as a creatureof neo-colonial imperialism and repeatedly vowing to crush it.It was to be 11 August 1966, shortly after Sukarno’s fall frompower, before Indonesia’s more moderate leadership put afinal end to ‘Confrontation’. For the Malaysian, British andCommonwealth forces involved at sea, on land and in the air, thecampaign had been nothing short of de facto war, during whichmany awards for gallantry were won, including the 1965 VC byLCpl Rambahadur Limbu of 2/10GR. The clasp ‘Borneo’ was thefirst on the new General Service Medal. Casualties for the wholeperiod were 114 killed and 181 wounded, while civilians suffered36 killed, 53 wounded, and 4 captured. The Indonesian forces lostat least 590 killed, 222 wounded, and 771 captured.Recalling that at its height the theatre absorbed 17,000Commonwealth servicemen, with another 10,000 immediatelyavailable, there has been relatively little written about Confrontationaimed at general readership. The Undeclared War (Harold James &Denis Sheil-Small, Leo Cooper Ltd 1971, and later NEL paperback1973) is a good concise account, and there is of course How Borneowas Won, by General Sir Walter Walker himself, on whom Malaysiabestowed the title ‘Dato’, on a par with knighthood and rarelyconferred on foreigners. Copies of this monograph are hard to find.Nicholas van der Bijl BEM joined the Intelligence Corps in 1970 andserved for twenty years in a wide variety of postings. In Confrontation– The War with Indonesia, he has written a fine account which is wide inscope and unprecendented in depth, possibly the better for not havingserved in that campaign. Running, with Index, to 280 pages, it includesno fewer than 16 maps, 3 tables, 38 monochrome photographs, and abibliography. Conveniently placed towards the front is a usefulGlossary. In his Foreword, the Rt Hon Lord Denis Healey ofRiddlestone (Defence Secretary at the time) expresses his delight “thata detailed account of Britain’s confrontation with Indonesia has at lastbeen published. Our campaign was a text-book demonstration of howto apply economy of force, under political guidance, for political ends.”He rightly pays tribute to General Walter Walker, under whose overallcommand much of the campaign was conducted.To the best of this reviewer’s knowledge, two greatly-missedRHF friends served Staff tours of duty in the FARELF duringConfrontation: Robin Thorburn (Lt Col R E M Thorburn) and DonaldMack (Major D I A Mack), the former at HQ Director of BorneoOperations in Labuan, the latter at the subordinate HQ in Singapore,through which the majority of forces transited en route for Sabah andSarawak. A former Officer of the Regiment, the late John Edwardes(Major J S M Edwardes GM), by that time an SAS Officer, was OC ‘A’Sqn 22 SAS when it was flown from winter-bound UK in December1962 to play its part in ‘mopping up’ after the Brunei Revolt, continuingthereafter to take part in many other important operations. That sameofficer (who gets several mentions in this book) later had much to dowith The Border Scouts, raised mainly from Iban and Dayak, two ofSarawak’s indigenous races, whose native expertise was crucial in thedense jungle in which many fierce actions were fought. As to himself,this reviewer has his own reasons for commending this overdue accountof Confrontation. In his reincarnation as an officer of RMP, he hadthe good fortune to land a busy and unforgettable Emergency Tour asOC 99 Brigade Provost Unit RMP in Kuching, Sarawak’s capital, andhas paid more than one visit there since 1965, most recently in 2001.A S R10 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

contacted a number of the enemy in one of the many woods onthe centre line. The enemy had taken cover and C Company werealmost on top of them before they realised it. The only solutionto this situation was quickly appreciated by Robert. He gavethe order “fix bayonets and charge”. The Jocks obeyed with afearsome roar and the enemy surrendered.In the autumn and early winter of 1944 the 71st moved constantlyup and down the western bank of the River Maas from Nijmegen inthe north to Hoorn in the south, to prevent Germany infiltration.Before Christmas the Battalion was withdrawn to re-group and reequipin preparation for the battle for the Rhineland.During this period all ranks were able to enjoy the pleasures ofAntwerp and Brussels -which were many and various. This wasall spoilt by the German attacks through the Ardennes region ofBelgium with the intention of capturing Brussels and Antwerpand thus cutting the Allied line of advance. On Christmas Eve1944 the 71st were in a defensive position on the battlefield ofWaterloo as their forefathers had been some 129 years before.Indeed, the CO gave out his orders for the disposition of thecompanies with the aid of the panoramic display of the 1815battle in the Waterloo Museum. (To digress, the compiler of thisObituary spent that Christmas Eve digging an OP on the top ofthe Lion Memorial. In retrospect, what a silly place to put it.)That evening it started to snow and arctic conditions continuedfor many weeks. At midnight the Battalion received orders tomove to the town of Dinant on the river Meuse (as the Maas hadbecome). After a chaotic drive the Battalion moved across theriver to take up a defensive position in thick woods. During thistime C Company came under heavy shellfire and first the 2IC waswounded and then, about half an hour later, Robert himself washit in the legs by shrapnel. With the Company now leaderless theCSM, one “Happy” Day, took command for which he received thewell-merited award of the Military Cross.Robert returned to the 71st when the war in Europe was over. TheBattalion had moved from Hamburg, where the fighting for themhad finished, to Solingen in the Rhineland to relieve an Americanbattalion in an “occupying” role. Robert initially took commandof D Company. However, there followed a period of reorganisationduring which those of all ranks who would be unable to servefor a further year were exchanged with others from, for example,the Territorial Battalions, who would be qualified to do so. Thisshuffle was occasioned because the 71st was transferred from 53rdWelsh Division to the command of 3rd British Infantry Divisionwhich was destined to form a major part of the UK element of theassault force on the Japanese mainland. There were many sighsof relief when the nuclear bombs were dropped and the war withJapan ended. However, there was another surprise in store when itwas learned that the 3rd Division was to move to Palestine to helpkeep the peace between Arab and Jew – a thankless task as historyhas shown.By now Robert was Second-in-Command of the 71st under LtCol Rhoddy Rose, who had replaced Lt Col Dick Kindersley.The Battalion was flown in converted bombers from Brusselsto Cairo and thence by road and rail to their final destination,Jerusalem. This journey was broken at Quassasin, an army basein the Canal Zone of Egypt, where several weeks were spent inacclimatisation. During this time Robert took advantage of oneof the amenities available locally – sailing on the Little BitterLake in dinghies converted, very roughly, from the standardinfantry assault boat.On one such expedition a sudden squall capsized his boat. Withit lying on its side, with mast and mainsail on the water, Robertremarked, as he stepped out on to the nearly submerged sail,“This has only been done once before.” His weight and the rottencanvas put paid to his adventure. As he emerged spluttering fromthe water he remarked, “Worth a try anyway.”Robert remained as Second-in-Command throughout theBattalion’s uncomfortable and boring six months’ duty inJerusalem and later in the much pleasanter surroundings of Suez.In the spring of 1946, after a short break as a staff officer at theHQ Palestine Command, he returned to the United Kingdom andthe Highland Brigade Training Centre in Redford Barracks, as OCthe HLI and Seaforth Company.In the summer of 1947 Robert’s request to be allowed to resignhis commission was granted and he joined the family business inthe City of London. Not surprisingly for an outdoor man suchas he the 9 to 5 life was not to his liking; he was only too glad toescape to farm in partnership in Ireland. This enterprise lastedtwo years and, in his own words, was not “a howling success”.Realising that farming had to be taken seriously or not atall, Robert enrolled on a course at the Royal AgriculturalCollege, Cirencester. He found not only lodgings at the homeof Miss Pat Smythe, England’s foremost lady show jumper atthe time, but also his future wife, an elegant equestrian lady,Hyllarie Johnston from Bala, North Wales, whom he marriedin September 1954.Robert’s first farm in England was a small 157-acre mixed farmin deepest Devon. He was a most hospitable and generous hostbut his guests were expected to pull their weight in the runningof the farm. Mucking out the milking parlour after the herdhad spent the night munching rich Devon grass was not for thefaint-hearted and not be done after a hearty farmhouse breakfast.Over the following years Robert and his family moved severaltimes to various properties in the West Country and theWelsh borders, mostly to meet the needs of an expandingfamily. He eventually dropped anchor, a suitable phrase forsuch an experienced sailor, in Herefordshire, but not long agomoved his establishment to France, of course to Normandy. Butin his last year he re-crossed the Channel – and died in Britain. Athis funeral were not only the devastating Hyllarie and his equallydevastatingdaughters but a fair muster of us. The latter trio mostgenerously “entertained” us.As can be seen, Robert was a gallant and highly effective soldier, atalented and successful fisherman and shot, a countryman in thebest sense of that phrase. He was a good friend and an amusingcompanion. When describing his position as hooker in theEton 1st XV as “nearest to the enemy”, he was unintentionallydescribing his own character. Any problem or pleasure, no matterwhether military, nautical or agricultural, he attacked with theintelligent vigour of a good front-row forward. A good man indeedto have on your side.D M12 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

MAJOR P N STEPTOE MC HLIMajor Patrick Neil Steptoe, whodied on 6 May 2006, wrote not sovery long ago “I cannot seriouslybelieve that anyone is remotelyinterested in a clapped-out andpear-shaped Major of 83.” Butthere is interest. We are more thangrateful that he gave us a briefresumé of his service.Pat, straight from SandhurstCaptain Steptoe being decorated (where this future “pear-shapedby Field Marshal Sir Bernard Major” had just won its supremeMontgomery. award, the Sword of Honour! (thelast awarded before the outbreakof War)), joined 1 HLI at the Fort in June 1939. However, unlikeWalter Ottewill, Brian Carson and John Whitcombe, he was, whenwar broke out, adjudged to be a little too young to be immediatelysent into battle. When the Battalion embarked for France Pat wasleft behind. He was dispatched to the Depot. (Some of his friends– and he had many – laughingly christened him as “Home ServiceOnly Steptoe”.) His next posting was to 13 HLI – where he heardbeing played (for its first time) the notable March that was laterentitled The Tenth HLI crossing the Rhine.Soon, however, Pat was back with 1 HLI and soon NOT on“Home Service”. As a remarkably active Company 2IC inNormandy in 1944 he took patrol after patrol deep into theenemy lines, particularly throughout July into August, andwas, because of those particular activities, awarded the MilitaryCross (gazetted 12 Dec 44). (Pat was always reluctant to let someyoung Fire-eater of a Subaltern disappear into the murk of battle– especially as the Subaltern might not only disappear thereinbut do so with his soldiers.)From Normandy Pat fought on through the rest of NorthernFrance and then through Belgium into Holland. It was in Hollandthat he was badly “shot-up”.Although air-evacuated to UK he eventually (after “muchquarrelling with medics”) got back to 1 HLI. He re-joined themin Hamburg and “finished up near Dusseldorf ”.But the War hadn’t “finished up”. There was still Japan.Luckily, the Atom Bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshimaremoved the need for 1 HLI to storm Japan, but 1 HLI hadnot yet “finished up”. Next was Jerusalem and then Egypt. Patcommanded a Rifle Company in both locations.Pat’s service thereafter was as notable as it had been from thestart. It is not surprising that he then became an Instructor atthe School of Infantry (Warminster). Nor that, after his returnto 1 HLI, his next extra-Regimental service was as a CompanyCommander in the RMA Sandhurst – an appointment reservedfor Officers regarded as being on their way up. He rejoined 1 HLIat the tail-end of its existence, in Luneburg in 1958, became 2ICof the Battalion and proceeded, at Redford in 1959, to become 2ICof The First Battalion, The Royal Highland Fusiliers. Alas, hethen, to quote him, “lost my temper and got [a] Golden Bowler”.Perhaps Pat wasn’t altogether inspired by the Amalgamation of hisRegiment – no matter with whom it was amalgamated.But Pat had done more during his “Home Service” than listen tothe beauty of what later became The Tenth HLI crossing the Rhine.He had managed, despite the vagaries of war and despite hisyouthfulness, to persuade the very attractive Paddy to marry him.(That a “Pat” had married a “Paddy” they both found amusing.)Not long afterwards the union had further results. On the sixthof October 1944 (by which time Pat himself was no longer on“Home Service”) they had a son.The latter, Robert, eventually commanded 4 Devon and Dorset,and his son also rose to command rank (– but by the time the latterdid so the Devon and Dorsets had vanished into the maw of TheRifles). Let’s not hold his son’s and grandson’s Englishificationagainst Pat (or against Paddy). The English fight even better whenthey’re being properly commanded – as was shown when Patassumed command of an Ox & Bucks patrol (apparently his ownvery first patrol) on 8 July 44 and successfully extricated it underheavy fire. One of their battalions, the 52nd Foot, had fought besideours at Waterloo – when we were the 71st – and had not only veryconsiderably distinguished itself but had also discovered it wasfortunate in having the 71st on its outer flank. On 8 July 44, withone of its Officers dead and the other wounded, the Ox & Buckspatrol discovered itself even more fortunate. They were being led byan Officer of the 71st. Pat “acted calmly and efficiently at a criticalmoment disregarding his personal safety”.(It is, however, a baseless rumour that Pat did so clutching not onlya revolver but also a sharpened Sword of Honour! – which, beinghis, was a Highland broadsword. But would he, being only inpatrol dress, have girded himself with his cross-hilted broadsword– or would he have equipped it with the Undress basket-hilt?)MAJOR A L ROWELL DSO RSFThere are many examples fromtwo World Wars of gallantconduct by those called upfor war service. They broughtrenown to their Regiments andcredit to themselves – such a onewas Leslie Rowell.Born in 1916 the son of aDevonshire farmer, he waseducated at Clifton College.Leaving there he trained as achartered accountant and beganworking in Bristol in 1939. With war on the horizon, he enlistedas a trooper in the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars (TA).Shortly afterwards he was selected for officer training. Whenasked for a choice of regiment, he naturally requested one fromthe West Country. Much to his surprise he was commissionedinto the Royal Scots Fusiliers whose RHQ was in Ayr! Hehad never set foot in Scotland in his life. However, this didnot deter him from marrying a Scottish lady a few years later– one Margaret Ogilvie who was the Almoner at BallochmyleHospital in Ayrshire.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 13

Posted to 11 RSF, stationed in Norfolk, he gained experiencein platoon and company duties before becoming Adjutant in1942. This writer, who was a newly-joined subaltern, remembershim well. He was a formidable figure – firm but fair. It paid tokeep out of his way unless one was confident of one’s turn-out,and clear as to what one was doing! He continued as Adjutantin Normandy and in the advance into Belgium. After officercasualties he took over D Company in August 1944.The trust built up between a CO and his Adjutant continued whenhe took over the Company. It was hardly surprising that difficultand hazardous tasks frequently came the way of D Company, whichwas often “in reserve” for such a purpose. Three instances of thiswill suffice – in all of which he played a major part.On the 24th of September 1944 the Company crossed the Turnhout-Antwerp canal to create a diversion to help a neighbouring brigademake a major crossing. The leading assault boat took casualtiesfrom a machine-gun covering the crossing – but the Companypressed on and established a bridgehead some five hundred yardsin depth. From here aggressive patrolling was done. On 26thSeptember the position came under heavy fire and a withdrawalwas ordered back across the canal. Shortly after this, the enemyattacked the empty position: the diversion had succeeded.The next instance came on 3rd/4th December 1944. A heavy enemyattack had broken into the positions of the Brigade right-forwardbattalion (7th Duke of Wellington’s) to the north east of NijmegenBridge. D Company was hastily sent to assist in restoring theposition. The situation was complex with Germans in some houses,Dukes in others and some buildings empty. The Company moved inthe dark and commenced operations at first light (0730 hours). Byskilful movement of the platoons on alternate sides of the road theenemy was driven out. Seventy-seven prisoners were taken for theCompany’s loss of one dead and two wounded.The third instance happened on 10th/11th March 1945. Bythis time the area north east of the Nijmegen Bridge was soheavily mined and wired that normal patrolling was ineffective.Accordingly, a plan was made to move a company (D) up the RiverRhine by landing craft (Waal) and land behind the enemy frontline. The aim was to inflict casualties, capture prisoners and causegeneral confusion by fighting back to the Battalion’s front line.Phase I was the landing and securing of a bridge-head bycapturing and holding a prominent white house on the riverembankment. The enemy was swiftly overcome and a secure baseestablished. In Phase II a platoon moved some three hundredyards to the east and set up a secure flank: this resulted in thecapture of one enemy officer and two soldiers.Phase III was the clearing of six buildings on the embankmentto secure the Company’s withdrawal route to the west. Whenstrong opposition was encountered from one house the platooncommander involved called down artillery fire on his ownposition! The way to the west was open – but a minefield wasencountered! While a route through was being taped the platoonholding the eastern flank drove off two counter-attacks, inflictingserious losses on the enemy.The Company finally withdrew about 0800 hours bringing backten prisoners. Nineteen enemies had been killed and severalwounded for the loss of three killed and eight wounded from theCompany. Throughout the operation the Company Commanderwas in close touch as the operation developed, directing andcontrolling with calm efficiency. Not surprisingly he was awardedan “immediate” DSO. An account of the operation was publishedin “Current Reports from Overseas” which circulated throughoutthe Army.He continued to command D Coy, after the war ended andfinally left the Battalion (by then stationed in Germany) whendemobilised in January 1946.As a Commander he believed in leading from the front andconstantly set a fine example of energy, calmness and bravery– and was always careful of his soldiers’ lives and of their welfarein and out of the line. Men followed him willingly – confidentthat he would do his best for them in all circumstances. For allthat he was modest about his own talents and achievements.After the War he wrote, “I took enormous pride in the successof the Company but claim little credit. Most of the officers andNCOs and some of the senior soldiers had been trained to a highstandard by my predecessors. Indeed several were decorated forbravery – I was just fortunate to be leading them”.On returning to civilian life he became a partner in anaccountancy firm in Bristol until 1958. He then moved to theW.D. & H.O. Wills organisation. Then in his own words, “Muchto my surprise I eventually became Second-in-command of theorganisation!” He finally retired in 1978.In retirement he always took a great interest in the fortunes of hisformer Regiment of which he had been such a worthy member.To his daughter, two grand-children and three great grandchildrenwe send our sincerest sympathies.W D DMAJOR W KEITH DAVIDSON CBE RAMC/RSFKeith Davidson was born inPartick, Glasgow, in 1926, andbegan his education at JordanhillCollege School. As his father, anLMS locomotive engineer, movedaround the country, Davidsonattended schools as far apart asInverness, Kilmarnock, Dundee,Gourock and finally Coatbridge.He began his medical trainingat St Mungo’s College (laterabsorbed into Glasgow University)and, following graduation in 1949 and a year in general practicein the Gorbals, he was called up for National Service in 1950. Hewas posted to Germany to join the 1st Battalion The Royal ScotsFusiliers and had the happiest of memories of his time in theRSF but, after a year with the Battalion, he was moved to the 14thField Ambulance in Iserlohn with the rank of Major.While with the Field Ambulance he married Mary Jamieson, afellow medical student, and showed determination and ingenuity14 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

very early in his married life. The documents for a new wifejoining her husband in Germany could only be authorised afterthe marriage took place. Owing to the death of King GeorgeV1 on their wedding day, the relevant office was closed and nodocuments were obtainable. But Davidson was not daunted bythis. He talked his way through the guards at the German border;Mary, although without documents, was allowed into Germany.No documents meant no food rations were authorised and it was amonth before the papers came through.On his discharge from the Army Davidson was taken intopartnership with his father-in-law in Chryston and he set up apractice in Ruchazie. This was at a time when few houses hadtelephones and he followed his father-in-law’s example from ruralgeneral practice, one of setting up “call houses” where peoplerequiring a doctor could leave a message for a doctor to call.This caused a complaint of “advertising” to be made against himand he was taken before the local medical committee and toldto close the call-house facility. This proved to be his entry intomedical politics. He so impressed the interviewing senior generalpractitioner that a few months later he was co-opted on to thelocal medical committee.He served for many years on the Glasgow Local MedicalCommittee, becoming chairman from 1971 to 1975 and was oneof the Glasgow Representatives on the Scottish General MedicalServices (GMS) Committee, of which he became chairman from1972 to 1975. He was a member of the Scottish Council on Crimefrom 1972–1975 and, following his chairmanship of ScottishGMC, was appointed deputy chairman of GMS (UK) from 1975to 1979.In 1978, he was appointed chairman of the Scottish Council ofthe British Medical Association, which position he held until1981. He was also a member of the Scottish Medical PracticesCommittee between 1968 and 1980.The esteem in which he was held by his peers was shown whenhe was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, aFellow of the BMA and a Fellow of the Royal College of GeneralPractitioners, and although proud to be awarded the CBE by theQueen in 1982, he was even more proud to be appointed a vicepresidentof the British Medical Association in that same year.His involvement in the Health Service at the highest levelcontinued, being a member of the Health Service Policy Board,Greater Glasgow Health Board and Chairman of the ScottishHealth Services Planning Council from 1984 to 1989, the firstgeneral practitioner to be appointed to this position. He was amember of the General Medical Council from 1983 to 1994, beingespecially involved with disciplinary hearings.Involvement in medical politics was not an all-consumingpassion, although he had to give up hobbies such as fishing andgardening; preparation for meetings was very great for a manwith a quite severe degree of dyslexia. He remained a caringfamily doctor in Ruchazie, devoted to improving the health ofthe local residents. In 1956 with the co-operation of GlasgowMaternity and Child Welfare, he set up a child welfare clinicin his own surgery building with Glasgow Corporation healthvisitors and midwives attending. This was an unusual situation50 years ago.He was also involved in the community through his deeply-heldChristian faith. He was Session Clerk of Ruchazie Parish Churchfor ten years and when the family moved to Stepps he served asan Elder in St Andrew’s Church, after which he became the firstSession Clerk of the united congregation of Stepps Parish Church,serving from 1983 to 1997. He was a member of the Bonnetmakersand Dyers Craft and a Serving Brother of the Order of St John, aswell as carrying the office of Chairman of Chryston High SchoolBoard from 1995 to 1998.Above all, he was a family man. He was devoted to his wife Mary,whose total support, which he fully recognised, enabled him tospend time on medical politics. He was fiercely proud of his sonKeith and his daughter Mhairi. Despite his very busy schedule,he always made time to spend with them and to be there whenthey needed him. In later years he enjoyed spending time withhis grandchildren, Ailsa and Jill, who holidayed with him inSutherland and Northumberland.The last ten years were a difficult time for him. His memorybegan to fade and medical problems set in. Spells in hospitalleft him unable to walk or talk but, despite being told that hewould not walk again, his strength of character and Mary’sdetermination meant that he was able to walk round the housewith the help of a zimmer, enjoy sitting in the garden and onceagain attend Church on a regular basis. His happy memories ofservice with 1 RSF also survived. For the past twenty years or sohe was always delighted when a particular Christmas Card arrived.It would not only be a Regimental Card but would be addressed to“Doctor R S F Davidson”.As Keith’s health deteriorated Mary was insistent that shewould continue to care for him at home. He died peacefullyin the company of his family on the evening of Monday 21stMay 2007.L MMAJOR DONALD IAN ANDERSON MACK RSF/RHFMajor Donald Mack was educatedat George Watson’s Collegein Edinburgh and at GlasgowAcademy before continuing hiseducation at the Royal MilitaryAcademy Sandhurst.He was commissioned in theRoyal Scots Fusiliers and joined1 RSF at Wuppertal in 1952.Thereafter, he served in Berlinand in the Malayan campaignwhere he was responsiblefor the successful ambush of a Communist Terrorist patrol.Unfortunately this brief account cannot convey the reality ofthe dangers and privations of months of jungle patrolling in ahostile environment. Today there appears to be little recognitionof a campaign which lasted from 1948 until 1960. It is a soberingthought that the campaign cost the lives of 1,865 members of theUK and Commonwealth security forces.A subsequent posting took him to emergency operations in Cyprus.After the formation of the Royal Highland Fusiliers he filledTHE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 15

various regimental and staff appointments in Aden, Malta, Iserlohn,Borneo, Singapore, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England.At the end of his career on the Active List Donald held twoGeneral Service Medals. One medal has the clasps “Malaya”,“Cyprus” and “Arabian Peninsula”. The other medal has theclasps “Borneo” and “Northern Ireland”. In modern currency thiscould amount to at least three or four separate campaign medals.He also held a United Nations (Cyprus) medal.Donald was an outstanding military historian with anencyclopaedic knowledge of regimental dress, customs and music.He was also a gifted artist and cartoonist. Many of us will havefond memories of him drawing caricatures on menu cards, beermats or sketch books. Much of his work is preserved today inour regimental archives. Above all, he conveyed the image of thearchetypical regimental officer who lived for his regiment and allthat it stood for. As many of his cartoons imply, he did not alwaysapprove of some of the post-war Army reorganisations.After his retirement Donald became the Assistant RegimentalSecretary at Regimental Headquarters. Unfortunately, his careerwas cut short when he suffered a series of strokes. In his latterdays he was a resident at the Erskine Home where the burden ofhis illness was lightened by a devoted staff. He died on Sunday13th January 2008.Those of us who had the privilege of serving with Donald willsalute the passing of a well-remembered colleague and friend.Major Alan Robertson adds:Having served with his younger brother Alastair in 1 HLI atLuneburg during 1958, the Battalion’s final year, it was with eageranticipation that I looked forward to meeting Donald. This I wasto do when those who had remained reported to Redford InfantryBarracks to become Royal Highland Fusiliers on 20th January1959. From the time of our first encounter, I was to relish DonaldMack’s friendship in a variety of situations as we served togetherand indeed long after I and later he had left the Active List.During the years I was living and working in London, Donaldoften stayed with me for one night, outward to the battlefield tourshe so enjoyed and about which he knew so much, those of the GreatWar and Second World War Northwest Europe, Crimea, Peninsula,American Civil War, South Africa, – and for another night (or more,if he thought I could tolerate him!) on his return. He steadfastlyrefused to travel to and from Glasgow except by coach, so I becameaccustomed to doing duty as his Orderly, helping him manhandlehis impedimenta (no light traveller he) between my Pimlico flatand Victoria Coach station, fortunately no great distance.An incident from these distant early Edinburgh months of 1 RHFis one I cannot forget. Under the leadership of “Colonel Mike”,light hearted and yet demanding, the Mess began a punishinground of Regimental Guest Nights and Dinner Nights, aimed atwelding us into a cohesive entity and getting the Regiment known.After dinner, rough games usually subjected our new Mess Kitto demanding troop trials. In the space between Anteroom andDining Room lay a large thick carpet. On the evening of whichI write, it was decided to topple Donald to the floor, after whichthe carpet was rolled up, he inside it. A good number of us wereneeded to shoulder the carpet, carry it out to the edge of thesquare, and unroll it. That done, Donald was seen lying there,supine and absolutely motionless.While the rest looked on with mounting sense of alarm, our RMO(who had been one of the carpet carriers) knelt down and madeto give mouth to mouth resuscitation, whereupon Donald sat boltupright. Glaring up at us with that familiar slightly wolfish halfsmile, he said, “Well, you buggers, bet that scared you”.Later in 1959, after the Battalion’s baffling move from RedfordInfantry Barracks to the Cavalry Barracks, and when it wasproviding its first Royal Guard at Balmoral, we were all delightedby Donald’s elaborately illustrated verses ‘The BalmoralHighlanders’. This masterpiece was prompted by the need tosend an additional officer (2Lt R H de R Channer) up to Ballaterto help out with the burdensome duties. Donald however knewbetter; poor Ronnie was there “to clear the blocked and smellydrain, and wind the Prince of Wales’s train, and while theothers fish for trout, he mounts the guard and turns it out”! Themanuscript was taken to Balmoral, where it was reportedly seenand enjoyed by members of the Royal Family.Sadly, it was long afterwards destroyed in an outbreak of fire atRHQ. So far as I know, only a single poor photocopy existed,which I last saw hanging in The Bothy, Wormington Grants,where Colonel Mike Evetts and his wife were living when theyhosted the last of the Founders’ Luncheons before his death in2001, and which Donald and I both attended.As OIC Officers’ Mess scrapbook from the start until just afterthat spectacular Queen’s Birthday Parade of 10th June 1961 inMalta, it was my duty to see the very best of Donald’s elaboratecartoons inserted, where they remain as witness to his rare talent:“Pay no attention, it’s just Frobisher talking cock as usual” (thecontent of which is best left unstated) and, when we had all beento see the film, “Dinnae worry, Sir, they’re no’ queer. They’vejust been to see ‘Psycho’.” (this from grizzled Battalion OrderlySergeant to horrified young Orderly Officer, whose torch beamilluminates a single barrack bed wherein sit two pyjamas cladJocks, arms round each other, their eyes wide with terror).Some modern phenomena were sure to merit a cartoon. One such(reproduced in the Journal, Vol 23, No 1, Summer 1999) wasdrawn after Donald had seen an officer of the Regiment wearing anabhorred baseball cap. In this scene, the moon is up. On the groundlies a prone, crumpled figure. Kneeling beside him is a Corporal,clad in combat kit and TOS, as is the young sentry (usual roundface, wide-eyed). The sentry cradles a well-drawn SA 80, while slimyoung Officer (Glengarry, blue patrol, dirk, strap trews, cane) holdsa gloved hand to his lips in surprise. The Corporal is saying “MrYoonylad, Sir, dead as a doornail” while the sentry is addressing theOfficer: “Aw Sir! Ah could see wis a baseball cap an’ a dirty semmit.Thought he wis a Bosnian spy and shot him... not an officer, Sir”!In September 2000, for the Regimental Dinner and Luncheonhosted by 1 RHF at Fort George (coinciding with UK-widecar fuel shortage), thanks to a lucky thankful of diesel, I haddriven Donald to Ardersier, where we shared a hotel room. Theweekend sparked two fine cartoons. In the first, with the Fort inthe background, an elegantly-suited and hatted figure (DIAMhimself?) faces with evident dismay an uncomely officer of the16 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

Regiment, clad in Glengarry, combat kit, tartan belt, courtmountedmedals, and carrying a briefcase (or worse, possiblya cased laptop). The caption is: ‘Parade Dress – Well, lookat me – Glengarry and medals too.’ The second arose from aremark made by the female Lt Col Dental Officer, who claimedthat the shocking state of the Battalion’s teeth was due to overconsumption of Scotland’s other national drink. Donald’ssketch depicts his ever present round-faced young Jock clearlyapprehensive as he sits in the dentist’s chair. He holds a bigfizzing glass of something. Over him stands the slim attractiveoverall clad figure of the Dental Officer, her uniform cap andbadges of rank easily visible. In one hand she is holding out a setof dentures. The caption reads: ‘Don’t fuss, laddie.. Just swallowthat pint of bru and then I can fit these in no bother.’ Bothcartoons appeared in the journal (Vol 24 No 2, Winter 2000).As subsequent events have sadly proved, Donald Mack wasremarkably prescient. Reprinted in the Journal (Vol 28 No 2,Winter 2004) were his verses Saint George for integrated England!Which he had penned while he and I were in 1 RHF in Aden,1960. The second of its six stanzas begins “Our buttons areidentical/and the badges in our caps – to show our solidarity/wecross post all our chaps…”Donald’s wit enlivened Journal pages on countless occasions.His letters to the Editor could be relied on to rattle a few cages,dealing as they did with topics dear to some hearts: how much orhow little attached female officers of AGC knew: the pattern ofhelmet in service, the culpable failure of those in authority to seethat the tartan patch on combat kit was grenade shaped, ratherthan square. Those who have read ‘Bits and Pieces from Malaya,’published in two parts (Journals Winter 2004 and Summer 2005)can be left in no doubt that the young Lt D I A Mack, en route toMalaya with 1 RSF Advance Party and serving there as a PlatoonCommander during the anti-communist Emergency displayedeven then an uncommon talent for vivid prose. His description ofthe tribulations of junior officers sharing tables with families andferal “kiddie-winkies” at meals on board HMT Empire Orwell isin my view a classic, and we are fortunate that Donald’s parents,recipients of the letters quoted, preserved them.We have Lt Col Ian Shepherd to thank for the apt Eulogy hedelivered on 21st January at the Service of Thanksgiving forDonald’s life in Hyndland Church, where Donald’s years as anElder were called to mind not only by the Minister, but also withwarmth by elders I met.It is also thanks to Ian that another example of Donald Mack’sprescience, and I believe the last of Donald’s cartoons to featurein the Journal (Vol 29 No 2, Summer 2005), was reproduced.Drawn all of thirty-seven years earlier, it depicts two very “GSlooking” hatless officers, clad in detested “English” Service Dress,fleeing for their very lives. The red-tabbed senior is saying to theother, “Look here, Prendergast, I thought you said the Council ofColonels had ceased to exist”! Hard on their heels, brandishingclaymores, a horse whip, shotgun, wild of eye and fiercelymoustached, comes a pack of officers, Lowland and Highland,the leaders, RHF, Argyll, choleric-faced RO in tweed breeks,each accurately drawn, while above the pack are Saltire and fierycross. In the background are mountains, while a small sign on theground reads “You are now entering Scotlandshire”. Donald Mackwas sui generic, truly one of a kind.CAPTAIN JOHN MCDERMID RHFCaptain John McDermid was bornin Glasgow in 1964. He joined the1st Battalion The Royal HighlandFusiliers in 1983 serving 21 yearsas a soldier and three years as anofficer. In a distinguished careerhe served in Berlin, Canada,Kenya, Cyprus and Belize,conducting two tours in Bosnia aspart of the UNPROFOR missionCaptain John McDermid and and one in Kosovo as part of thehis wife Gill. NATO deployment. He completedfour Northern Ireland tours,and a further tour in Iraq cemented his standing as a hugelyexperienced,skilled, knowledgeable and capable soldier.His quality was identified early on and he rose quickly throughthe ranks. As a first-rate Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, hewas selected to instruct officers at the Royal Military AcademySandhurst, where he excelled. On return to the Battalion heserved as Company Quarter Master Sergeant, Company SergeantMajor and Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant before promotionto Warrant Officer 1st Class and Regimental Sergeant Major of the1st Battalion The Royal Highland Fusiliers in 2002.He was commissioned in June 2004 and initially led theRegimental Recruiting Team based in Glasgow. His energeticand engaging approach overhauled recruitment. His subsequentappointment was as Unit Welfare Officer where he oversaw themove of the Battalion (now the Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2ndBattalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland) from Cyprus toGlencorse Barracks, Edinburgh.Captain McDermid was posted to a staff appointment at theRoyal Military Academy Sandhurst in early 2007. Always a fieldsoldier, he volunteered for operational service in Afghanistan. InSeptember 2007 he was attached to 2nd Battalion The YorkshireRegiment as a member of the Operational Mentoring and LiaisonTeam, tasked with training the Afghan National Army. As amentor, he was responsible for developing the leadership andinfantry skills of platoon or company commanders.On the 16th of November 2007 Captain McDermid was leadinga joint UK and Afghan National Army patrol to the south ofthe district centre of Sangin in Helmand Province, duringwhich he was also mentoring an Afghan National Army Officerin the leadership and infantry skills that platoon commandersneed. It was during this patrol that an improvised explosivedevice detonated. This sadly resulted in the death of CaptainMcDermid and serious injury to the Afghan interpreter who wasaccompanying him.Lieutenant Colonel Paul Harkness MBE, Commanding Officer ofThe Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regimentof Scotland, said:Captain John McDermid represented everything that isspecial about both the Army and The Royal HighlandFusiliers. From Fusilier to Regimental Sergeant Major, his 21years service as a soldier was notable for its professionalism,THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 17

commitment and loyalty. His exceptional qualities led to himbeing commissioned into the Regiment that he loved and intowhich he had devoted so much of his time and energy.Lieutenant Colonel Simon Downey MBE, Commanding Officer2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, said:Captain John McDermid was an exceptional soldier, officerand man. Deeply able, hugely energetic, and an accomplishedcompassionate and encouraging leader, he rose rapidly throughthe ranks from private soldier to captain, excelling at every stage.Captain McDermid leaves behind his wife Gill, his two sons anda stepson.WO2 BRUCE BRADFORD CAMERONIANS/RHFI was very saddened to hear of thesudden death of Brad Bradford. Areal Regimental Character if everthere was one. Stories of Brad arelegendary and most of them, nomatter how you embellish them,turn out to true. There are someevents that happened where Bradwas concerned that you wonder“How did he get away with that?”and others where you just shookyour head in amazement.Brad joined the Battalion at FortGeorge in 1969 on the disbandment of the Cameronians. Hejoined A Coy and the rest of his career with the Regiment wasnever dull. From the start it was clear to see he had exceptionalability. A first-class soldier, he left his mark on every rank andappointment he held in the Regiment. Brad always wanted to bea soldier and when he left school, if soldiering had not about hewould have invented it.Brad acted a lot on impulse and at times this could lead him intotrouble – not only ‘at times’; it invariably did. Never once in hisarmy career did you hear Brad say, “It was not my fault” or “Just badluck at the time I did it.” What you would hear Brad say was, “ Itseemed like a good idea at the time.” Brad accepted everything thathappened as part and parcel of his life. If he fell foul of authority heaccepted it, put it behind him and got on with his life and soldieringThere was never any attempt to shift the blame to others or to hideaway from facing the consequences.But his impulse and instinct was also very important during thenumerous tours of Northern Ireland in the 70s and 80s. His instinctof spotting when something was not right, whether it was patrollingthrough the fields of South Armagh or urban patrolling in TurfLodge or Andersontown, bordered on the uncanny. His soldieringability was never in doubt. In the field he was an exceptional soldierand a real credit to the Regiment. However, the RHF have alwayshad a reputation for being better at living in holes in the ground inthe field, rather than in nice squared-off barrack blocks. When Bradwas CSM of C Company in Germany, his attitude to any Jock causingdamage to the barrack block was, “If you do not want to appreciateliving in camp, you can live in the field.”A barbed-wire compound was set up outside one of C Coy’s barrackblocks and any Jock convicted of breaking windows, damaging doorsetc was sentenced to live in the compound in a tent and only allowedinto the barrack block to shower and shave once a day. Brad was anexceptional man and once you met him, you never forgot him – as nodoubt some of the compound inhabitants will remember.However, there is one side of Brad that may have been missed bythose who knew him. Brad was a very accomplished sailor. In 1972Brad and I were stationed at Glencorse as training instructors. RabDallas was also there as a Platoon Commander and, as Rab was anexceptional skipper (Junior UK champion at 16), he decided that anRHF team should go and take part in Clyde Week, the week-longsailing regatta held on the river Clyde.The team consisted of the three of us and we stayed at Clynder forthe 10 days and were competing in a Piper Class racing yacht. It wasan excellent week and on one occasion as we were sailing along thestart line waiting to begin, the yacht slowed down. Something hadattached to the keel and the boat became almost stationary in thewater. Rab shouted to Brad if he could see what was holding the boatback. “Nae problem,” said Brad and promptly disappeared over theside. This is in the middle of the Clyde, a force six roaring and threemiles from land.Then came a cry, “Haud this!” (Brad was taking off his life jacket andthrowing it up to land on deck.) He then disappeared under the boat,removed the obstruction and resurfaced. The boat had shot forwardand Brad very coolly (coldly!) swan to one of the marker buoys inthe Clyde, climbed on and waited for us to come about and pick himup. The Royal Navy guard launch was very quickly on the scene andhove alongside to pick Brad up. If he had stepped on to the Navylaunch we would have been disqualified and he refused all offers ofhelp until we picked him up. It was the talk of the regatta for the restof the week. There was one other occasion when Rab, in trying tocatch the run of the tide to gain an advantage, got too close to shoreand ran aground. This time both of us were over the side pushinglike mad to dislodge the boat. This also had been seen and Rab wasasked where he got his crew from – especially the big black-hairedone that goes swimming for fun fully-clothed in the Clyde.Brad commanded loyalty in his men from his first appointment asa Lance Corporal to his last appointment as a Company SergeantMajor. I knew Brad for 39 years and I can honestly say there wasnever a moment when you could predict what Brad was going todo next. However, the same moments were never dull. He leavesa gap in the Regiment, especially in the Sgts’ Mess. Even afterhe left the Army Brad believed that the Sgts’ Mess was the mostexclusive club in the world. He took great delight in being invitedback and no matter where the Battalion was stationed he wouldmake the effort to attend. Even although his first regiment wasthe Cameronians, he had unswerving loyalty to the RHF.One of the last times I attended a Sgts’ Mess function with Brad wasthe Burns Supper at Cambridge in 1991. He stood in the centre of thefloor of the Sgts’ Mess anteroom and said “I am home. As far as I amconcerned this is the centre of the universe.” Of course, trying to gethim to go to his real home was when the fun would start.There are many more stories of Brad and I am quite sure we allhave our favourite memory of being in Brad’s company – bothsocially and as a soldier. What you saw was what you got. He lived18 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

life his way and if that meant it wasn’t a way you approved of– tough. He was not going to change and he never did.But he had the likeability factor about him. Never ask theJocks to do something you will not do yourself was his motto.And it worked with every command he had. He had therespect of the Jocks – the biggest compliment that can be paidin a Scottish regiment. No doubt he had the despair of theCompany Commanders to contend with as well, but he took itall in his stride.There was a wonderful turnout at his funeral for a wonderfulcharacter. It was like being back at Fort George in the sixties. Nodoubt wherever he is he will be baffling St Peter with his favouriteline: “I do not drink but if you are asking, I am partial to twofingers of Red Eye.”Brad is survived by his wife Sandie and their son.COLOUR SERGEANT GEORGE MOWAT GORDONMOODIE CAMERONIANS/PARA/HLIW P EGeorge, or Geordie as his palscalled him, enlisted on the 10thof October 1935 under the nameof George Gordon, having triedto enlist earlier in the year inhis own name and being caughtout as underage. He joined theCameronians, Scottish Rifles andon his sixteenth birthday was on atroop ship bound for India.In 1941 he transferred to theAirborne, to the 2nd BattalionThe Parachute Regiment anddropped and fought at Arnhem.He declared his true age at theoutbreak of war and his true namebefore marriage. He met my mum,Edith (nee Mason) in Blantyre in1942 where she was stationed withthe ATS and they married at our village church at Crich on the 5thJune 1945. Unfortunately, my mum died in 1981.Dad left the Army in 1948 and worked in the local limestonequarry but found it difficult to settle and re-enlisted into theHighland Light Infantry in 1949 where he finished his twentytwoyears service and was discharged with the rank of ColourSergeant in June 1959 – just after the amalgamation withthe Royal Scots Fusiliers which of course became the RoyalHighland Fusiliers.From the stories he told he was a bit of a rogue and according tohis pay book, which only covers 1950-59 he went up and down thepromotion ladder at a rate of knots.The Army was the happiest part of his life and he loved totalk about it. My two daughters would listen and laugh withhim even if they had heard that particular tale before. Theyoften asked to hear his stories again. It’s just a pity he won’t bearound to tell them to his three great-grandchildren. They gavehim the title of GREAT GEORGE, which to us was true.We were very pleased and grateful to see three of Geordie’s HLIfriends at the Funeral, Sergeants Willie Blackwood, Allan Ordishand Jock Schofield.D M(Geordie’s daughter, Dianne)COLOUR SERGEANT JAMES MORRISON RHFCSgt James Morrison diedtragically in the early hours of themorning on 5th October 2007; hedied suddenly while serving on hislast six months in the UK.CSgt Morrison was born on 31March 1966. He enlisted into The1st Battalion the Royal HighlandFusiliers on 4 July 1985. ColourSergeant Morrison could havebeen considered to be ahead of histime in that he served throughoutthe Royal Regiment of Scotland with The Black Watch and TheHighlanders as well as his parent Battalion prior to the formation ofthe Regiment. He served in almost every theatre in which the BritishArmy has a presence during his long and rich career; includingBelize, Canada, Poland, Cyprus, Germany. In addition he sawoperational service in Northern Ireland, The Gulf, Bosnia, Kosovoand most recently in Iraq.Having served his early years in UK, in 1991 Colour SergeantMorrison deployed to the Gulf to take part in Operation Granby.Shortly afterwards, in 1994 he was posted to Fallingbostel with theRoyal Highland Fusiliers. On 9 March 1996 he married Eva whosupported him loyally throughout his remaining career. When theRegiment conducted an arms plot move in 2000, his ArmouredInfantry expertise was in such demand that he stayed on withthe 1st Battalion The Black Watch. Following a short posting toCyprus, he returned to Fallingbostel in 2005 to join B Company,The Highlanders (later 4 SCOTS) as Technical Company QuarterMaster Sergeant. He was responsible for the management of theCompany’s fleet of Warriors, including an operational tour toMaysaan Province in Iraq with the Royal Scots Dragoon GuardsBattlegroup, for Operation Telic 7. It was during this gruelling 6-month operational tour that he earned an outstanding reputationfor vehicle availability despite the tremendous heat and harshoperating conditions.In April 2007 Colour Sergeant Morrison moved back to Invernesswith his wife Eva and three children Sarah, Jason and Cameron,where they planned to start a new life on his retirement.Colour Sergeant Morrison was a great personality, who was alwaysready with friendly banter and a wry smile. He was a tremendouslyloyal regimental character wherever he served. Throughout hisservice he displayed selfless commitment and dedicationwhich make him a great example for others. He will be sadlymissed by his family, all those who knew him and had the goodfortune to work with him.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 19

PRIVATE JOHN ROSS HLIJohn wasn’t just HLI, he was 10thHLI – but never boasted about it(or about anything else). Initiallyhe was in the 5th Battalion, whichJohn had joined in May 1939.He knew that war was just roundthe corner. It was indeed. TheBattalion was at Annual Camp,that year at Dechmont, when Warwas declared.But they weren’t immediatelymobilised. “Go home fortonight,” they were told, “– and report in at eight o’clock tomorrowmorning.” John was soon transferred to the newly-formed 10thBattalion (which was initially 2/5th). He started in its D Coy,but the Tenth’s Signal Officer, Lt (later Major) J M Foulds, hadnoticed John back in the Fifth. Lt Foulds looked at John and said,“You’re for the Signals.” And so John was, initially wrestling notonly with heliograph (despite a frequent lack of sun) but also withsignal lamps and semaphore flags. He was later burdened with theheavy Battalion-net wireless set.He also had, when the Tenth was at Watten in Caithness,telephonic duties. One night, when John was controlling thetelephone exchange, he happened to overhear the CO, Lt Col R GCollingwood, in conversation with the trainer of his racehorses.A series of hot tips emanated – and were passed on to the bettingmen of C Coy (John’s current attachment). Many of C Coy wereable to afford a weekend leave almost immediately.In the wireless field John nearly came adrift. He was one daynetting in the Battalion’s out-stations using the codeword“Bowfie”. Unfortunately this was the nickname of the Tenth’sRSM, WO1 (RSM) Hooper, and RSM Hooper was in earshot. Onbeing angrily questioned by “Bowfie” as to who had given Johnthe codeword, John quite truthfully told the RSM, “It was theSignals Corporal, Sir.” (There is no record of what happened tothe latter.)Another recollection of John’s was from the Tenth’s Shetlandposting (which was under command of the Royal Navy andtherefore daily-rum-entitled). The Officers’ ladies could pay shortvisits – provided they also volunteered as NAAFI orderlies. Theyinvariably did so – and also provided dancing partners during theTenth’s dances. “They were all good sports,” said John.In 1944 the Tenth went to war. John was badly wounded inNormandy. He didn’t get back to the Battalion after this; heended the War not only at home but as a Green Howard. But heended his service with the 5th. His medals are not just the usualfour, 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal andWar Medal, but also the TA Efficiency Medal.When John came home he married Mary and they had a son,also John. John himself returned to his work with AlexandraTransport, which job had been kept open for him, and he maythen have found things slightly easier. Before the War the firm’sprincipal transport had been steam lorries and so John’s day hadoften begun rather early, raising enough steam pressure to let thevehicle embark on its duties. 1946, the year he married Mary, wasslightly easier. Petrol and diesel engines were now universallyin vogue. But John still employed one of his pre-War forms oftransport. He had been a fervent cyclist and still was for many years.He was also a staunch attender at the weekly (and other) Tenth HLImeetings, staunch until fairly recently. John had become virtuallyhouse-bound and was almost blind.We, the so-called “Tenth HLI Continuation Club”, miss him sorely– as do Mary and his son John.FUSILIER HENRY HAMPSON RHFHenry, who served from 1969 to 1976 with the Regiment, died inErskine Main Home in June 2007.25231476 FUSILIER SCOTT WILSON RHF7th April 1987 – 7th January 2008Scott John Wilson was born 7April 1987 to parents Jean Lintonand John Wilson in Glasgow.Scott quickly became a confidentand funny individual who was,at times, undoubtedly a handfulfor his parents. After his time atschool Scott spent a brief periodas a civilian with a variety ofjobs but spending much of histime as a chef in Glasgow priorto joining the Army. With hisfather John and both of hisuncles being former Fusiliers it was perhaps not surprising thatScott decided to follow in their footsteps and opt for the RoyalHighland Fusiliers. Scott worked hard and enjoyed his timeat ITC Catterick before joining the Battalion in May 07. Scottjoined Charlie Company and 8 Platoon in May 2007. A tribute tohow much he enjoyed himself at Catterick was his first meetingwith the Commanding Officer to explain his impersonation of aNon-Commissioned Officer during his training. Since then hecompleted a field exercise and live-fire package in Otterburn,where he showed a typical Jock trait of being excellent in thefield and not quite so suited for time in camp. Subsequently, hecompleted two more live-firing packages in Fort George and BarryBuddon. Recently he completed his Pre-Deployment Trainingin preparation for the forthcoming tour of Afghanistan. Hethoroughly enjoyed this training. It was the precursor to what hereally wanted to do: to go on an Operational Tour with his friends.Sadly this was not to be. In the small hours of 5 January 2008 hewas involved in a road traffic accident. Tragically Scott died on 7January 2008 as a result of the injuries he sustained. This is nowa day that will be forever remembered by his family John andMorag Wilson, Jean and Iain Linton, brothers Mark and Craigand sisters Leanne and Kerry.The Company has lost a genuine character in the Celtic andmotoring fanatic who created a massive impact in the short timewe had with him.20 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

Regimental MiscellanyREGIMENTAL DINNER AND LUNCHEONBoth took place this year in London in The CaledonianClub, the Dinner on the 27th of September, the Luncheonon the 28th. It was unfortunate that no Officer of theBattalion was present at either – but that’s soldiering for you.(We only hope that digging in on Luneburg Heath (or whereverone digs in nowadays in what used to be BAOR) wasn’t toorain-soddenly undesirable.) But there were three members of theBattalion there at the Dinner – and how they made their presencefelt! Pipe Major Roderick Weir was one, LCpl S Gillies another,and LCpl A Gordon the third of that notable trio.It was a ‘trio’ – and yet the pipes were so beautifully tuned itwas only the reduced volume that let us know when they weren’tplaying in concert. They played in particular The 71st Quickstepwith such beauty that even the subsequent 74th Slow March paledinto insignificance! But we mustn’t forget the Pibroch. This,played of course by the Pipe Major, was The Groat, a piece quiteunknown to our unmusical ear. How perfect it was to hear! (Wetook counsel with LCpls Gillies and Gordon and were happy tohear that even that redoubtable pair of experts in the Good/GreatHighland Music agreed with our untutored ear. Pipe MajorRoderick Weir can cheerfully take his place among the Greats!)But that was not all the greatness. We had with us OUR OWNCOLONEL! Major General Euan Loudon may no longer beColonel Commandant of The Royal Regiment of Scotland (in shorthand:SCOTS – without the superfluous ‘Royal’) and is now solely‘The Representative Colonel of The Royal Highland Fusiliers’.As such he spoke of the Battalion’s future. Would it be Iraq or elsewherein the Spring? If Iraq is off, somewhere else is on. (It is. The Battalion is offto Afghanistan in March 2008.) And recruiting! We’re not only somewhatahead of our immediate competitors but we also win on retention. Oursoldiers like being Royal Highland Fusiliers. Not only do many of themstay the course but more of them stick it than some others do.He also spoke of the past, of the notable Service conducted by theReverend Dr Laurence Whitley in Glasgow Cathedral this yearto remember the Somme. (There is a report of this on page 23.)More presently, he spoke of our Benevolent Society conducted byKen Kenyon and, of course, of HHQ conducted by Colonel Steele.Even The Journal was mentioned!Then came the future – other than whatever else “is on” forthe Battalion. Next year (2008) there is to be an RHF Dinnerin Glasgow’s City Chambers – and the next (2009) will see apresentation of a new Assaye Colour.Oh dear, that’s all we can decipher from our scribbled notes.There must have been lots more.Next day was the Luncheon. No speeches – but lots of ladies. Itwas unfortunate that General Stuart Green couldn’t make it (wehear that he is very ill) – and nor, of course, could Mrs Green.In fact, there wasn’t a great deal of us there. But Dick BromleyGardner was. We were, as ever, more than amused.Nor did we mind the red wine (an unobserved claret) beingserved first. Why should we (or why should most of us be)?Most of our palates are untutored. (Sandy Ingram used to say, atthe Maryhill Depot in 1958, “Red wine rots gentlemen’s guts!”– despite there then being in the Mess Cellar bottle upon bottleof Pre-War Clarets, each of a notable Vintage. How particularlyuntutored we were then!)But, despite our (no doubt ignorant) semi-criticism of the winesequence,we must applaud The Caledonian Club. The food wasas good as we have ever eaten and the service was remarkablyimmediate. The Club did us well.But someone remarked (despite his lack of Latin), “Quis custodietcustodes ipsos?” Oh dear, not only might our Latin be a bit inaccuratebut its relevance has escaped us. (Can we look forward to a vigorouscorrespondence – to be published in the 2009 Edition?)Incidentally, Pipe Major Weir played even more recently in ourearshot. The occasion was Donald Mack’s funeral where, despite thepouring rain, the Pipe Major played a fine succession of CompanyMarches at the entrance to Hyndland Parish Church (Donald havingcommanded all of the Companies other than FSp Coy), and then later,at the Clydebank Crematorium, he played The Regimental Lament.At the latter, ‘The Good Highland Music’ was even brieflysurpassed(?). Fusilier Christopher Crawford (Mackenzie-trewedand sharply-spatted) blew Last Post and then Reveille. We havenever heard a finer Last Post. Convinced that its excellence musthave come from an orchestral key-trumpet, we inquired. Beneathhis (luckily) all-enveloping Gortex cape, Fusilier Crawford had nomore than an issue bugle slung!Lt Col David Stephen Robertson OBE RoyalScots Fusiliers (1874-1919)Lieutenant-Colonel David Stephen Robertson OBE (1874–1919) wasa brilliant linguist – he spoke French, Chinese, Russian, Japaneseand Serbo-Croat fluently – and for much of his career worked insemi-diplomatic/intelligence posts in areas of conflict in the FarEast and Russia. His medals (shown below) reflect his fascinatinglife and, with their intriguing names and exotic designs, provide awonderful glimpse of the cultures in which he worked.David was the son of David Robertson J.P. of the Glasgowpublishing firm, Robertson & Co. David senior was active inthe then newly-formed Clan Donnachaidh Society and in 1894organised a dinner attended by Alasdair Stewart Robertson ofStruan, the 20th Chief.Young David joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1897. He served withhis Regiment in India and then in the Boer War in South Africa. Hewas promoted to the rank of Captain at this time and received his firstmedal, the Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902. This Medal, withbars to indicate the campaigns in which the individual fought, wasawarded to British and Colonial Forces who took part in the Boer Warand to civilians employed in official capacities.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 21

After a year at Aldershot, David was attached, during theRusso-Japanese War of 1904-5, to the Japanese Second Army inManchuria. This brought him the 1904-05 War Medal, a medalinstituted by the Japanese Government in 1906 and awarded forservice in the 1904-05 Russo-Japanese War.David was sent to Peking in 1905 to study Chinese and, after aspell in the United Kingdom (during which he participated in theCoronation of George V as a Traffic Officer, for which he received acommemorative medal), was appointed Military Attaché Peking in1912. He was attached to the Chinese Army in 1913-14 during theYangtse Rebellion and the ‘White Wolf’ Campaign in Central China.In 1914 he was awarded the Order of the Golden Grain (referred toin Home Office and family papers as the Excellent Crop and SecondCrop respectively) and the 3rd Class Chai Ho decoration (assumedto be the Order of the Striped Tiger) 1 ‘in recognition of serviceswhilst attached to the (Chinese) Government during hostilities atHurow and Honan’. The Order of the Golden Grain was establishedin 1912 (replaced by the order of the Brilliant Jade in 1929) to rewardoutstanding civil or military meritorious achievement. The Orderof the Striped Tiger was also founded in 1912 (abolished in 1928) toreward both Chinese and foreign military officers for ‘merit duringtimes of peace and war’. The permission of the Sovereign to wearthe insignia of foreign orders had to be obtained and, in a letter tohis mother, David expresses his delight that permission to wear theInsignia of the Chai Ho Order arrived just in time for it to be wornat a function taking place on his birthday. David was also awardedthree Chinese War Lord Medals – almost every Chinese warlord (the‘White Wolf’ was a warlord) awarded his own Medals.David’s next posting was an attachment to the Japanese Armyduring the Siege of Tsingtao (1914-15), for which he was awardedThe Order of the Sacred Treasure 4th Class. This Order wascreated in 1888 to reward distinguished military or civil merit.After a brief period at the War Office in London, Davidaccompanied General Murray on a mission to Russia and spent sixmonths at the Russian front (1915-16); as a result he received TheOrder of St Vladimir (4th Class) with Swords and Bow. ThisOrder, named in honour of St Vladimir who introduced Christianityto Russia, was founded in 1782 by Catherine the Great to rewardthose who had served the State loyally and faithfully, had ‘saved tenlives from fire or water’, had given assistance in times of famine orhad done something notable in their professions.Top Row: Japan, Order of the Sacred Treasure (Neck Badge), China, Order ofthe Golden Grain, China, Order of the Striped TigerMiddle Row: Great Britain, Queen’s South Africa Medal,Great Britain, British War Medal 1914 – 1918,Great Britain Victory Medal 1914 – 1919, Russia, Order of St VladimirBottom Row: Japan, Order of the Sacred Treasure (Breast Badge),Japan, 1904-5 War Medal, China, War Lords Medals, China, War LordsMedals, China, War Lords MedalsResearching the Chinese orders has presented problems.David went back to Peking as temporary Military Attaché in1916. In 1917 he was despatched to Vladivostok to prepare forthe intervention of British forces during the Russian Civil War,was briefly British Military Representative in Siberia and acted asBritish High Commissioner (under order of the Foreign Office),was promoted Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel and appointed BritishHigh Commissioner in Omsk. He was later recalled to Peking asMilitary Attaché and died in 1919.The British Government recognised David’s services by awarding him:The British War Medal 1914–1920, a medal issued tocommemorate the battles of World War I, for post-war services inRussia (1919-20) and for mine clearances in the North Sea.The Victory Medal 1914–1919, a medal produced tocommemorate Victory in the First World War and often called22 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

the ‘Allied Victory Medal’ as the Allies had agreed that acommon theme should be adopted. The main qualification forreceiving the British Medal was service in any theatre of warbut civilians serving in recognised voluntary organisationswere also eligible.The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (notincluded in the gift to the Clan Donnachaidh Museum), anaward established in 1917 for distinguished services other thanmilitary but which can be awarded to the military for noncombatantservices.David Robertson’s medals were mounted and framed by Spink& Son Ltd (art, coin and medal dealers).Note: The Clan Donnachaidh Society is still active and may becontacted at Clan Donnachaidh Centre, Bruar, Pitlochry, Perthshire,PH18 5TW; tel/fax 01796 483338; e-mail secretary@clandonna.wanadoo.co.uk; www.donnachaidh.com(The above article, by Miss Jean Robertson of Struan, isreproduced by her kind permission and that of the Editor ofthe Clan Donnachaidh Annual, in which the article originallyappeared, in the 2007 Issue)A PRESENTATION TO WO2 EDDIE DUFFYBetter late than never! WO2 Eddie Duffy served in NorthernIreland from January to June 1970 but did not receive hisGeneral Service Medal (Northern Ireland Bar). At long last(37 years later) Home HQ RHF applied on his behalf for themedal. On the 7th of June 2007 Eddie’s GSM was formallypresented to him by Mrs Ena Ravenscroft, his CSM’s wife. Heis flanked by two Gurkha Officers, in the photograph of thepresentation on the inside of the front cover.THE BATTLE OF THE SOMMEOn the 1st of July 2007 a Memorial Service was held inGlasgow Cathedral “to mark the commencement of The Battleof the Somme: 1st. July 1916”.This was conducted by the Minister, The Reverend DoctorLaurence Whitley, who not only took pains to mention every RSFand HLI battalion that fought at The Somme but was as inspiringas he was interesting His detailed knowledge of that day and ofthe subsequent and hard-fought months was amazing. One may begrateful that one missed The Somme but those of us who didn’tmiss Dr Whitley’s Sermon are equally grateful.The Battalion wasn’t there on parade but the three Colourswere, with their Escort. How superb the Escort and Colourslooked as they swung into the Cathedral!However, many Battalion members had managed to come throughto attend the Service – and most of the RRT were there too (or isit now the BHT?). Also present, of course, was the Regimental/Home Headquarters Secretary (HHQ is the ‘new speak’) and eventhe Editor (the latter hoping that someone else would record thedetails of this historic day).*And then most of us descended on HHQ. No rum ration was issued –as there was in the early hours of 1 Jul 16 – but a lot in lieu was issueddown our throats, in between bites at a very good buffet luncheon.(* The Service is also described in the Battalion Notes.)THE MAJOR J A R TAYLOR’S ROYAL HIGHLANDFUSILIER LUNCHEONS – A TALE OF CONTINUITYLt Col Ian ShepherdMany members of the Regiment will be familiar with the WednesdayLuncheons at Regimental Headquarters. Originally weekly events butnow fortnightly, these were inherited from the 5th/6th Bn HighlandLight Infantry. In their way, they are a Highland Fusilier link with aregimental past. Now, in 2007 we have seen a specifically HighlandFusilier gathering reaching forward to a new regiment’s future.Major John Taylor needs no introduction to many of thosewho gather on a Wednesday in Glasgow or a Tuesday inEdinburgh. For those who do not know him his obituary inVolume 28 Number 2 of the Journal (Winter 2004) will be agood introduction. John also served as a Retired Officer at theHeadquarters of 52 Lowland Brigade in the late 1980s and afterretiring from his post there remained as the Treasurer of theEdinburgh Castle Officers’ Mess. It was here that he started aperiodic Edinburgh luncheon for members of the Regiment.When he finally left the Castle these were continued by a formerHighland Fusilier then working in the Castle. Keen readers of theJournal will have seen reports on these events from time to time.Since the formation of The Royal Regiment of Scotland notices ofthe JART Luncheons have been sent to the Officers’ Mess of the2nd Battalion and the response, when the exigencies of the servicehave permitted, has been enthusiastic. In March Majors Fenton,Fitzpatrick, Kerr and Steel with Captain Montgomery attendedwhile in July Major Douglas, Captain Savage and Messrs Bridleand Reed were present.The latest gathering to meet, on Tuesday 30 October 2007, toenjoy reminiscences and banter and toast the memory of ourmuch-missed patron, comprised Captain D N Anderson, MajorH Cameron, Lieutenant Colonel R N R Cross, Mr J A S Edington(with his Gurkha guest, Lieutenant Colonel I Tedford), Captain J MHutton, Major A L Mack, Lieutenant Colonel R Milne, ReverendJ B Lawson, Major A S Robertson, Major R Laing Robertson,Lieutenant Colonel I Shepherd, Colonel W K Shepherd andLieutenant Colonel G A Thom. Training commitments preventedany members of 2 SCOTS from joining the gathering.It would be wrong not to mention the Castle Mess staff who continueto look after these gatherings – and, in so doing, one must single outfor especial mention Miss Karen Osprey who has been helping atthese luncheons from the time when John Taylor organised them. Atthe most recent of them Miss Osprey was assisted by Victor Blancoand Andrew McCulloch – a new member of the Mess staff – and thechilli con carne was prepared with flavour and warmth by ShaunBrown. Shaun is not only one of the Castle cooks but has his ownherb garden from which he adds flavour to the meals he prepares.Now that 2008 has dawned we hope we’ll continue to seerepresentatives from the Battalion attending these gatheringsfrom the Past.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 23

Associations and ClubsTHE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERSREGIMENTAL BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION1. The objects of the Association are:a. To grant financial assistance and/or gifts in kind and/orpensions to such persons as are eligible and are (in theopinion of the Grants-in-Aid sub committees appointed forthe purpose) in distressed or necessitous circumstance.b. To assist if possible such persons as are eligible under theConstitution to obtain admittance into Homes, Hospitals,Schools or other charitable or Benevolent Institutions.c. To make donations, contributions and subscriptions toFunds, Institutions, Associations or bodies established forpurposes which are in law charitable.2. Membership:All ranks who have served in the Royal Highland Fusiliers,the Royal Scots Fusiliers and the Highland Light Infantry(including the Glasgow Highlanders in time of war orimmediately post-war), and also those members of theTerritorial Army who wore the cap badge of the RHF, or whojoined Companies whose origins lie in the RHF, RSF or HLI,and who served with the Regular Forces on full time regularservice (FTRS) or a similar engagement shall be members andas such eligible to apply for Grants-in-Aid. The dependants ofthe persons described in the preceding sentence, shall also beeligible to apply for Grants-in-Aid from the Benevolent Fund.3. In the year 2007, the Benevolent Association awarded, toindividuals, Grants-in-Aid totalling £42,822.4. Charitable donations totalling £10,860 were disbursed toservice-related charities, including the Regimental Museum,that help ex-members of the Regiment and their dependants.5. At Christmas, monetary gifts totalling £805 were distributed toex-soldiers in hospitals and after-care establishments.6. The Army Benevolent Fund, Poppy Scotland (Earl Haig Fund)and the Royal British Legion are to be applauded for theircontinued support. In the period 1 January to 31 December2007, the ABF awarded top-up grants to a value of £9,500 andAnnuities totalling £6,660 to ten pensioners.7. None of our work would be possible without the dedicationand voluntary contribution of SSAFA – Forces Help, whoinvestigate and validate the majority of cases presented by ourmembers. It is therefore right and proper that the Trusteesformally record their appreciation to the Organisation for theselfless contribution they make to our work.8. Readers may be pleased to learn that during the period 1992 to2007 the Benevolent Fund has dealt with 1542 cases for assistanceand disbursed to individuals and charitable organisations thegrand sum of ‘One Million, Six Hundred Pounds’– (£1,000,600).9. How to apply for Assistance:All requests for Grants-in-Aid should first be addressed tothe SSAFA – Forces Help Branch/Division nearest to theapplicant’s home. If in difficulty the nearest Royal BritishLegion Office or DSS office will assist. A representative ofSSAFA – Forces Help will make contact and will meet theapplicant to determine the facts of the application. A writtenreport along with the application form will then be sent to TheRegimental Benevolent Association for consideration.A sub-committee of the Benevolent Association will considerthe application and decide whether assistance should be givenand in what amount. The SSAFA – Forces Help Branch, whichinvestigated the application, will be notified of the decision of thesub-committee.Any grant awarded will be sent to the SSAFA – Forces Helpinvestigating branch who will personally pay the agency providingthe service of need. Under no circumstances will cash or paymentbe paid directly to the applicant.A D KROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS VETERANSASSOCIATION HIGHLANDOn Wednesday 01 November 2006 it was decided it was timeto set the wheels in motion to start an Association for exmembersof The RHF, RSF and HLI living in the Invernessand Highland area. The meeting took place at the CommunityCentre, Wimberley Way, just behind Cameron Barracks, with kindpermission of 1 RIR.To my delight, I was pleasantly surprised that 17 members turnedout, and like myself, quite apprehensive, about where and whatit was all going to lead to. On that first evening we did not agreeto very much, except to meet again and change the date forour next meeting to the first Tuesday of each month, which wehave adhered to ever since. We also talked a great deal amongstourselves about past and present, which as far as I was concernedis exactly what we should be doing at this stage.The following month was to me the first test, to see how manywould reappear, or was this just a flash in the pan? It exceededall our expectations; 22 members turned up. The first 17 didtheir job, and passed the word around that this was somethingworthwhile and deserving support. At this stage we decidedthat our second test was not to meet again until February andif we still had the same support we would become the RoyalHighland Fusiliers Veterans Association Highland. Once againour expectations were exceeded and, now at 1 November 2007, wehave a membership of 39 and hope to increase this each month.We now have a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Constitution anda Standard presented by Major General W E B Loudon CBE.Our aim is to maintain the good name of the Regiment in everypossible way and to make known the advantages of service in theRegiment. To foster the feeling of comradeship among all ranks,past and present, by maintaining contact with comrades bothin and out of the Service. To assist each other to the best of our24 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

“Hurry up, John. We’re on a double yellow line!”Disco George and his backing group.“Psst. Anyone know where Taff got all those medals?”ability in civilian life as we did in the Service. To promote andassist in organising re-unions, socials and entertainment.Since our formation we have paraded the Standard on threeparades of Remembrance with the British Legion, and at theend of the Inverness Tattoo it was carried on alternate eveningsby Nicky Fitzpatrick and our Vice-Chairman Ian (Cammy)Cameron. We have also had three visits by Col Bobby Steele.Blessing of the Standard March-out.General Loudon came up to Inverness to present the Standard– which, sadly, wasn’t ready at the time. We all however hada great night. The General was quite surprised at the amountof old faces he knew, including two of his old Pl Sgts, NickyFitzpatrick and Lenny Monaghan. Sammy Torrance was asusual close by, keeping his eye on him and even brought hisson, an Army Cadet, to assist. 1 RIR once again came to ourassistance by providing the facilities and the catering. ThereHighland Veterans on parade.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 25

“The Three Amigos”.“Get me to the church on time!”.“Right or Wrong, stand still!”was the usual group photo taken and the wine was suppliedFREE by Jim MacTaggart and Hughie Young. It wouldhave lasted the evening, if I could have got George Adam, avisiting Australian who once played in the Regt Band for ashort time, away from it. The General did not get off lightlyand was bombarded with questions, and a few even tried toget a few Tattoo tickets free gratis (We think he went deaf atthat point, must have been to much shooting without properear protection. If he gets in touch I can maybe assist withcompensation.). We finally bade farewell to the General after along struggle untangling him from the clutches of John Beggwho must have thought he had found a long-lost brother.Everyone knows he’s related to Sammy Torrance. (See theRHF Veterans Association Highland photographs on the inside ofthe front cover.)“Still in step!”On Sunday 28 October 2007 we had our Standard officiallyblessed at Ness Bank Church, Inverness by the Rev. JohnChambers and our old Padre, John Shields, who travelled all theway from Lauder for the Service. Also attending were GeneralLoudon and Colonel Steele along with their wives. The paradewas followed by a lunch at the TA Centre by all attending andtheir families. This was the highlight of our first year and was agreat success, due only to the hard work of a committee headedby Big Harry Adams and the assistance given by the TA atGordonville Road. (See the photograph on the outside of the rear cover.)Sadly, just before the Blessing took place Mo Morrison passed away.We have 2nd Bn The Royal Regiment of Scotland to thank fororganising the funeral and providing a Bearer Party, who carriedout their duties so proudly. Mo would have been very proud.“Eyes Left!…”.Padre John Shields touting for business, maybe?26 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

We have become in my opinion quite formal. All the membersare purchasing Trews, Blazer and a Badge which we are in theprocess of having made. Everyone also wears a Regimental tie,Glengarry and Badge.Our members have served in the RSF, HLI, RHF and REMEattached, all wear their Regimental insignia with great pride andwe have a great spirit of camaraderie, of belonging to somethingvery special.I believe I speak for us all when I say a special thanks goes toSammy Torrance for the effort he has put in and being the maingo-between, between General Loudon and ourselves and being,unofficially, our CQMS. We should also thank 1 RIR for theirassistance in getting us started by lending us their facilities. Wehave now moved our meetings to the TA Centre in GordonvilleRd where we are being given a great deal of assistance from theTA. We also say a special thanks to Majors Kerr and Macaulayalong with Jim McGerty for all their help. These guys don’t forgetwhat loyalty is or how deep it goes.For the future, there are many more old comrades still to be foundout there and brought back to the fold. We plan a website, andwould like to be more involved with our brothers down South. Allof these we will do in our 2nd year.Yours Aye,John HamiltonChairmanTHE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS OLD COMRADESASSOCIATION BATTLEFIELD TOUR 2007Wednesday the 16thThe tour party, which was, as ever, organised and led by Major WShaw MBE, left Glasgow earlyish in the morning by coach (whichwas driven by David Swinton). First stop was at Fusilier Housein Ayr for tea or coffee (or both) and also to pick up the AyrshireMafia – and be seen off by Norman Rae. Norman was unable tocome with us this year but there he was this morning wishing usthe best of luck.Next was lunch at Shapwells Hotel, then a brief halt at BirchServices to pick more of us up and then another at Ferrybridge formore, including Bob Douglas, our from-now-on arch-organiser(Organisazionkönig). Here we were also delighted to see BernardMarshall – alas, he was neither coming with us nor transferring tous any of his millions to swell our Euro funds. Finally we reachedHull Docks, were joined by Peter Bowcock (which brought ourstrength up to 49) and boarded the Pride of Rotterdam. (A quarterof our 49 were ladies!)Thursday the 17thAfter a smooth crossing and an early landing at Europoort (being,of course, fervently pro-EEC we’re spelling it in Dutch), we weresoon in Amsterdam for a break of two or so hours. Alas, it was aSaint’s Day, which meant that the principal shops were all shut.Luckily the bars weren’t.We were in Cassels House not long after four, room and keyallocating was very rapid and we were ready for an early supper atfive. The bar opened early too (!!) but this wasn’t too vital at thetime. There was wine already laid out on the dining-room tables(and even the odd extra (small) bottle). Next, of course, was thebar, where we were treated again! – this time as a result of EddieTraynor’s generosity. Although unable to make this year’s tour hehad given Major Shaw a large fistful of Euros to encourage us todrink even deeper than the norm. We did.We also enjoyed piping from both Les Womack and KenMcKinney – and singing followed. (Ken is the local BranchSecretary of SSAFA Germany. His office is beside Cassels House.)Friday the 18thMost of us were off to Düsseldorf to walk and shop and drink – aswell as enjoy an hour’s cruise on the Rhine with free beer. (We hadfree beer earlier too, with our haversack rations before the cruise!)This was a very pleasant trip and in very fine weather. (What a pity itwas that one could not hear enough of the very interesting descriptivecommentaries; talking behind us drowned much of these.)The piping tonight included the 71st Quick March on pipes andguitar, the piping by Les, the guitar played by Ken. Ken alsotook part in a singing duet with young Miss Brooke Smith, Kenaccompanying Brooke not only vocally but also with his guitar.Saturday the 19thThis, our Liessel day, was unlike many in the past; the weatherwas perfect.(In fact, almost every day’s weather was as good.)At the Memorial Ground, where we met Lies and Heine, welistened to short addresses in Dutch and English (the latter by avery pretty girl) and then came presentations to Major Shaw ofscripts which had been compiled by the children who handedthem to him. (The Führer thanked them in very fluent Englische– with a rich Ayrshire accent.) We came to attention then, theMinute’s Silence was observed, Les played The Flowers andRonnie Johnstone delivered the Homily. During The Flowersthe standards borne by Arthur Mooney and Bob Douglas werelowered. (Afterwards we admired Arthur´s Colour belt; it gleamedas perfectly as might do the Sam Browne of a Coldstream RSM.)Lunch in Asten followed, where we met Lies and Heine againand also had a drink or two. (The whisky “measures” wereunmeasured – and enormous!)The trip back was smooth and after an early supper there was a lotof sitting (plus) outside. Next was in the bar and soon there wassinging there.Sunday the 20thSunday began, being a Sunday, with a latish breakfast – afterwhich we had the morning off. After lunch we were off too, toRath Anhoven to attend some of the Heinsberg Kreis Schützenfest.After getting a bit lost in and around Rath Anhoven we luckilyencountered the Schützenfest General and found out wherethe Schützenfest was taking place. We got there, debussed and“marched”, with Les and Ken piping, to join the Fest. This wasa joyous get-together of the representatives of the Brüderschaftenfrom eight of the twenty-five villages in Heinsberg Kreis(Heinsberg County). (Each village has its own Brüderschaft, agroup originally raised to defend its church (a group with someresemblance to a kind of Home Guard) and later developedinto a strictly-regulated village society, a society which may alsoTHE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 27

contain a shooting club and other clubs. Some of the twenty-fiveBrüderschaften of the Kreis date back to Mediaeval times.)We sat there in a large marquee, were served with beer or wine(only initially at Major Shaw’s expense) and, after the appearanceon horseback of the Schützenfest General, watched a series ofprocessions march in, one for each of the eight Brüderschaftentaking part. All were headed by more than one band, brass ortrumpet or flute (the same bands often reappearing), all hadstandards and other banners, many of the participants carriedswords (and some carried wooden rifles), various uniformswere worn (as well as various silver adornments) and so wereball-dresses and evening dress. The arrival of each processionwas followed by an award ceremony, which was the attachmentof a Wimpel to its standard. (A Wimpel is a banner-like stripemblazoned with the year of the Schützenfest.) The principal ofeach Brüderschaft, the Schützenkönig, was also presented to theSchützenfest König, the current principal of the Kreis.There was also a remarkably clear commentary (by theSchützenfest Adjutant) but as this was, of course, in German, it leftus none the wiser. Alas, we had to leave before more happened,a grand horse-led procession round Rath Anhoven (rather likebeating the bounds or riding the marches) and then a dance, thedance being for everyone in the Kreis who cared to attend.Once home we had an early dinner – and quite a few of us gotdown to the usual.Monday the 21stToday’s target being Nijmegen we were able to stop en route at theJonkerbos Military Cemetery. In it are more than 1,500 graves someof which are Royal Scots Fusilier or HLI or Glasgow Highlander.There we formed up, observed the Minute’s Silence, heard TheFlowers and the Homily and examined as many gravestones as wehad time. Then we were in the town (or city) itself to eat our packedlunches, drink and shop (and admire some of its old buildings)before getting back in time for supper – and, of course, the bar.There was remarkably tuneful piping tonight. David Moir wasthere in addition to Les and Ken – and it was David who hadtuned all three sets of pipes to more than perfection. (David isa UKBC, an MOD Civil Servant, and also a TA Royal EngineerPiper.) The singing also was even better than usual. Not only didMajor Shaw give us “Ally Bally Boo” (“Coulter´s Candy”) butalso there was beautiful singing by Ken’s lovely partner, FrauleinHelga Scheuss (before she was away – to get up rather early thenext day to start butchering in Mönchengladbach at 0630hrs).(This Helga does five-and-a-half days a week, every week.)(Ken also told us that not long after we were back home Helgawould be the Schützenfestkönigin at the Wegberg Schützenfest. AtWegberg, which is her own village, Helga will be the principal,the ruler, of its 2007 Schützenfest. (Königin is “Queen”.) Tocommemorate this she will add her own piece of silver to theregalia which she was wearing yesterday at Rath Anhoven.) (Seethe photograph inside the rear cover.) (If the new piece makesthe Wegberg regalia too heavy, the earliest piece in it at present, apiece dated 1927, will be taken off.)Tuesday the 22ndThe principal enterprise today was a trip to Rüdersheim, apleasant little town on the Rhine upriver of and on the other sidefrom Boppard. After a free drink (and free lunch) in the quiteexcellent Hotel Internationale (where the staff use “bon appetit”,not “guten appetit”) (and during a Krankenhaus (hospital) visit byone of our less fit members, the latter shepherded there by LouisWouters) some of us took the cable cars up to near the NiedersteinMonument, a monument erected to commemorate the Unificationof Germany in 1871. From the cars and particularly from theMonument itself the views were spectacular – and the weather wasstill perfect. We then crossed the Rhine by ferry so that we couldreturn to Rheindahlen by some different roads. Only then did thefirst real rain of this tour start. It lashed down all the way homeand more – but luckily for the sake of the smokers it ceased notlong after supper. Nevertheless, the bar was well frequented.Wednesday the 23rdThis started as an idle day, some back to Düsseldorf in the coach, afew into Mönchengladbach by local ’bus and a few staying in camp.In the evening some went out to dine in Mönchengladbach, butwhen they (and other celebrators) were back we got down to theusual. On this evening, however, not only did we have more pipingfrom Les and Ken but also there was a lot of solo singing. All theperformances were fairly brief but were very tuneful – and wereadded to again by Helga’s beautiful voice. Bed followed (at intervals).Thursday the 24thWe were away by 0900hrs – despite the odd person having failed tohave his luggage loaded by whatever time the Führer had specifiedthe day before – and drove to Waterloo. The original plan, wethink, had been to examine the Battle fought on the 18th of June1815 and to have a look at the battlefield, but...1. One had to pay to enter the fenced-off area around the LionMound – and presumably climb the Mound. The combination ofstruggling up the Mound’s 226 steps and forking out nearly £5 todo so was too much of a bother-cum-fatigue for most of us. (Didany other than Ronnie Johnstone attempt it?)(Oh dear, the earth used to make the Lion Mound was strippedfrom the ridge-top to its east, stripped as far as the cross-roadsabove La Haye Sainte. The “sunken lane” which ran along thefront of the now-vanished ridge and formed an obstacle thatprotected some of the Allied Line is no longer “sunken” – and thereverse slope of the ridge, behind which Wellington positioned histroops, is no longer a “reverse slope”. It’s flat.) (The earth-removaland the erection of the Lion Mound annoyed Wellington too.)2. Walking to the cross-roads above La Haye Sainte, which ismore or less the centre of where the Allied Line stood and fromwhere one could have viewed most of the battlefield, was, said theFührer, a bit far for all but the fittest (and would have interferedwith drinking-time).It is dangerous to even question Führerdiktats. We saw littleor nothing. (And Ronnie’s work, duplicating Battle Plans ofWaterloo for issue to all of us, was wasted.)The Editor had been prevailed upon to introduce the Battle, buthe (as ignorant as ever) had presumed that we’d proceed, afterhis exposition, to look at the bloody thing. His exposition was,therefore, not much more than a few(?) words about the weaponsused that day, their effective ranges and the formations used as28 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

a result (line and square), and almost nothing about the battle.He paused, the Führer called for applause and when this had dieddown we debussed – but just to eat our haversack rations ANDDRINK. There was no “Battlefield Tour”.After a few beers, we re-embussed and drove to Zeebrugge – with,OF COURSE, a lengthy(ish) pause at The Chocolate Box to buywhatever was cheaper there in the way of cigarettes, tobacco anddrink than would be on the ship.Next we boarded the Pride of Bruges and sailed for home, inbetween times getting rid of our very last Euros (or delving intoour reserve Sterling).Friday the 25thWe got into Hull at about 0700hrs, after a very smooth crossing,but soon we ran into problems.1. The Port Officials (Die Hafenkönige[?]) declared that our coachwas too heavy! We were over the limit by nearly a tonne! Wemust hire a van to lift at least the baggage and so make the coachlighter. The Führer telephoned to find the cost of hiring a van.More than 500 Euros! Oh dear, TOO DEAR!2. But THEN came worse! David Swinton was on the tenth ofthe ten days that he had been driving. The Law (from Brussels, ofcourse) lays down that this is too much. We could not move untilwe had found a new driver – and David could not even remain onthe coach! He would have to travel home separately!The Hafenkönige then relented a bit. They’d “overlook” theweight problem and let us go. They’d even let David remain ONthe coach. BUT... we MUST have another driver.We then found that we did have one! One of us had a coachlicence! BUT he didn’t have his (EEC-requirement, of course)digital card with him. Back to Square One.So we (quite quickly) got a new driver (from Hull) and set offfor Scotland – only two hours later than we had hoped. (Weeven departed only half-a-ton overweight! Bernard Marshallwas driving down with one of his Rolls-Royces to lift the Ferrybridgeparty!) We arrived in Glasgow not very long after five, unloadedvarious alcoholic goodies at HHQ (518 Sauchiehall Street) anddrove on to Ayr (the Führer still in the Chair) to get rid of theAyrshire Mafia.That done (and this note almost done), we have to thank MrsCairns and her charming staff at Cassels House for puttingup with us (and putting us up). We are also indebted not onlyto Fraulein Helga Scheuss for adding musik to our singingbut also to Miss Brooke Smith. Then the piping! David Moirdidn’t just add to our efforts; he helped to make some of iteven more musical than it might have been. (As Pipe MajorRennie of 1 HLI might have said, it was “the good Highlandmusic” that emerged.) Ken McKinney also had a hand in this(as well as all of his ten fingers) but we have even more tothank him for. We didn’t have to scribble this (illegibly) on anote pad; he lent us a LAP-TOP! (This not only made it mucheasier to compile this note but on the CD he gave us to save iton were photographs. We have used one of them to illustratethis Edition.)The whole was as good as a “Battlefield Tour” as we haveencountered – but might “European pub-crawl” be a moreaccurate description? (However, someone has suggested an evenbetter one, a “Bottleful Tour”.)(NB: The Battlefield Tour for 2008 has had to be cancelled due toinadequate support)ARMISTICE 2007This year’s parade was notable – for various reasons. Not onlywere we again at least 40 in strength (the RRT having put ontheir Sunday suits to become temporary Veterans) but we hadin front of us our own Standard! This magnificent piece (ofPakistani manufacture) was borne by WO2 Steff Stevenson,and it was he who delivered the vital “Eyes Right” (and thesubsequent “Eyes Front”). This was despite a rumour thatGeneral Euan Loudon would join our ranks and thereforecommand (he did neither, was just somewhere about) – andalso despite our having Colonel Bobby Steele with us (who alsobrought a bagful of RHF-badged Glengarries – which almostall of us then wore, other than Bolshie individuals like GeorgeLamont and the Editor).Colonel Steele, however, marched in front of us (behind theStandard) and so did Major Willie Shaw – who also deliveredcommands! (in the shape of the occasional (AND STENTORIAN)“Left, Right”). (These additions were very useful, although theLowland Band (or whatever it’s now called) was remarkablytuneful and had an outstanding Bass Drummer.)On the Parade itself the 6 Scots Guard of Honour was veryimpressive, both in turn-out and drill, and the bugling of The LastPost was quite beautifulThe best part was of course that it didn’t rain – and also that wewere warmed (if also blinded) by a remarkably warm sun as westood and stood AND STOOD. Even better though was that theendless standing was not punctuated by bursts of conversation.(Was Cpl Weaver not there?)In fact we were (or should have been) well over 40. We’d bettercount Arthur Mooney (and Marilyn), although he was detached– as our Wreath-Bearer – and we’d have liked to count one ortwo who “missed the ’bus” (or something) but were there intime for the post-Parade goodies in the City Chambers (egDavid Skelly).We also wish that we’d counted the Paras. They swore to us thatthey were 61 that day.FIELD OF REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY, LONDON 2007The Field of Remembrance Ceremony was held at St Margaret’sChurchyard, Westminster London on Thursday the 8thNovember 2007. The event, sponsored by The Royal BritishLegion in aid of the Poppy Appeal, provides special plots forRegiments’ ex-Service Associations, in which members of thePublic may place their personal Remembrance crosses.This year, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh performed the openingceremony. Following the short service of dedication the DukeTHE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 29

At the Garden of Remembrance.Tom and Alf with the Chaplain General.30 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

of Edinburgh performed the traditional “walkabout” among themany ex-service people attending their respective plots.Representing the Regimental Association and attending tothe RSF, HLI and RHF plots this year was Alf Wyke and TomThaxter. Members should be aware that the former has madethe pilgrimage to London for over fifty years to watch over theRegimental patch. Tom, on the other hand, is a relative newcomerhaving paid his first visit to the event in 2003. Both 84-year-oldwartime veterans, currently residing in Essex, served together inthe Royal Scots Fusiliers during the period 1942-46.(See the Westminster photographs on the inside of the front cover.)The Regimental Association is extremely grateful and pays awarm tribute to both these ex-soldiers, Alf in particular, fortheir selfless devotion to duty.ADKTHE HLI REUNION 2007The annual reunion this year was on the 5th of May and againin HHQ. There wasn’t a great turnout – only 30 odd – butwe were very glad to see Major Willie Shaw there and therehad been the usual generous contributions from many whocouldn’t make it.Something else that didn’t make it – or didn’t make enoughof it – was the compiler’s lap-top. It took a fit and had tobe quietly put away, despite there being no other apparentrecord. But we do remember there was a quiz in whicheveryone took part in teams (which is less taxing than areindividual performances). We’ve forgotten who won – andin any case it was felt that there isn’t enough space in thisreduced (but v expensive) Journal to publish its questions.THE GLASGOW HIGHLANDERS ASSOCIATIONThe Glasgow Highlander Reunion/Meeting on the 31st ofMarch 2007 was the first after two years of nullity. It waskicked off by WO2 Raymond (Dinger) Bell. First approachedby CSgt Stevie Whyte in the early hours of 1 Jan 07 WO2Bell soon mustered a Committee which was headed byMajor George Stewart. It decided on a Reunion in HomeHeadquarters, The Royal Highland Fusiliers (518 SauchiehallStreet, G2 3LW). This was a great success. Not only was theAyrshire Mafia there in some strength (Dick Stevenson andcronies) but there were many wearing the Glas H tie – andsome of its wearers had even had Glasgow Highlander serviceof the pre-1967 vintage!Among the latter were Rab Bryson, Jack Nelson, DavidSkelly, Major George Stewart and Patrick Tracey – as well asthe writer – and we made a goodly company. As such, we weregrateful to WO2 Raymond Bell for engineering the wholeentertainment and also to WO2 Alex McDivitt, to the HHQStaff and of course to Colonel Bobby Steele for letting themeeting take place in HHQ. Both WO2 Bell and the Coloneladdressed us – but, alas, the writer is as deaf as a post. Wehave little to report on what was said.But we do remember when someone spoke concerning thenext Armistice Parade in Glasgow. The attention of thecompany was achieved by a series of drumbeats on the table(by an empty whisky tumbler), silence was achieved and awarning given. “Do we salute,” asked the speaker, “to ‘TheRoyal Highland Fusiliers, by the right, Eyes Right!’ or shallwe say this year ‘...The Glasgow Highlanders...!’” ?The company had no doubts – but what will actually happenwill be reported (along with this) in the 2008 Journal.Wait and see. (Besides, we are putting pressure on ColonelSteele to take command of our mixed ensemble at this year’sArmistice. We think that he is likely to favour “RoyalHighland Fusiliers”.)**See ARMISTICE 2007 (page 29). We conformed!We did miss Major Willie Shaw at the March meeting. Letus hope that he will use his ’bus pass in time for this year’sArmistice Parade in George Square. Whether or not thecommand is preceded by “The Royal Highland Fusiliers” or“The Glasgow Highlanders”, we do need Major Shaw to keepus in step****He did! See ARMISTICE 2007 (page 29).Next was a BBQ Families’ Afternoon. This, as reported byMajor George Stewart, our President, took place on Sunday17th June 2007 in Walcheren Barracks.“Our sincere thanks go to Lt Col Coull and RSM Cochranefor their continued support of the Association in allowing usto use the WOs’ and Sgts’ Mess. About 44 members and theirguests appeared – as well as some of their children (and therewas considerable inter-wife gossip, some of the ladies nothaving seen each other for years).“The sun was shining on the BBQ area in the yard behindthe barracks, tables and chairs were laid out and WO2(Dinger) Bell (who is now with the ACF) had managed to‘borrow’ enough BBQ equipment. This was put to gooduse by our Chef, Jim McConnell (not only an Associationmember but also ACF). He did a magnificent job. The foodwas done to perfection – although he himself must havebeen half-baked, with the BBQ fires on one side and the suntowering on the other!“Next was, of course, up in the Mess. Not only was the Baropen – and the attendant Mess Staff very helpfully busy – butthere was our usual ‘MUST-HAVE’ Raffle. The latter, runby Sonny Martin, Robert Griffin and Hugh Cameron, madea handsome profit, a profit assisted by Hugh’s donation of abottle of Bubbly.“In all, it was a most successful and enjoyable afternoon. Itwas the first that both my wife Noreen and I had attended.We’ll BOTH be back next year too!“We have also to thank not only Sonny and Robert [Griffin]and Hugh but also our ‘Events Manager’ Robert Woodburn,and also Angela Gardner and C/Sgt Stevie Whyte 6 Scots– and of course Dinger.”THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 31

The next function was a combination of the Association’s firstAGM and its second 2007 “Reunion”. Again Major GeorgeStewart reports.“This was held on Saturday 27th October 2007 in the WOs’and Sgts’ Mess in Walcheren Barracks. The AGM part didn’ttake long. The ‘old soldier’ instinct soon kicked in; ‘Keepyour mouth shut and let’s get on!’“So we did. As our last Reunion was in 2004, it was great tobe back and seeing the same old faces. Some had a few morelines on them but they were there. There was David Skelly(MT), George Lamont (P&Ds), Pat Tracey (Signals) andAlastair Mack (B Coy) and some of our 52nd Intake – GibbyMcDowall (CSM), Tom McElinney (QM) and John Hurles(MT/D Coy). If we had a combination of memory and space,the list would go on and on.“Bobby Woodburn, our Treasurer, then RETURNED to mostof us £3.00! The Reunion’s costs were less than had beencalculated. But Bobby very sensible restored the money justbefore the usual ‘MUST-HAVE’ Raffle. The Raffle proceededto make a healthy profit.“More importantly, we must mention the attendance of aGlasgow Highlander who served even long before DavidSkelly. Jim Wilson, who joined us in 1939 and fought with 1Glas H throughout the War, had travelled up from England tojoin us again.“Jim and his friends enlisted in 1 Glas H on 1 Sep 39 onadvice from his father. The latter knew that War was aboutto be declared, that call-up papers would soon be issued,and that Jim and his friends might thereby find themselvesin a host of separate units. If they PRE-enlisted together,they would stay together. So Jim and his friends not onlyimmediately enlisted but decided (very sensibly) to followmore of Jim’s father’s advice. They joined the elite GlasgowHighlanders.“However, although Jim went to war with 1 Glas H as partof BEF2 to Cherbourg in 1940 (and got back again), hisknown expertise (he had worked in Barr and Stroud’s) hadhim soon extracted – but not out of battle. Soon he was aRoyal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer – fighting first theItalians and then the Afrika Corps in North Africa.“Jim’s being there is a perfect example of why we must do ourbest to ensure the future of the Association. It is fortunatethat we are being supported by both Lt Col Coull and WO 1(RSM) Cochrane.”THE TENTH HLI CONTINUATION CLUBThis, if not its “activities”, has diminished even further.Halfway through 2007 even Willie Nixon became ill – andseriously so. The weekly visits to Eddie Traynor and BobbyMcLachlan have continued but have often done so withoutWillie or any other full members. It is Lachie Christie, anAssociate Member, who now conducts them – and often doesso on his own. Nor is a descent on the Station Bar now partof the visits – except that Lachie sometimes calls in there enroute to Eddie’s (Thursdays). But what we miss at the StationBar is more than generously afforded at Eddie’s. Inaddition to pie and peas we have APPLE PIE ANDICECREAM! We also have the usual beer and whisky(ies) –AND once at least the latter was a Smith’s Glenlivet! (Bobbyalso very generously feeds us – and has even been known topour out whisky for at least one of the thirstier AssociateMembers – except Bobby.)But now the bad news. John Ross, who had been virtuallyhouse-bound for the last year or two, died at the beginningof October. (John, who enlisted in 5 HLI before the outbreakof war in 1939, was soon posted to the newly-formed 10 HLIand was, equally soon, prevailed upon by Captain Faulds tobecome a Signaller – with the brief words, “Ross, you’re forthe Signals!” John was badly wounded in Normandy – andafter his recovery found himself a Green Howard – but was,luckily, too long in service to be despatched to bring Japan toits knees.) (There are rather more of John’s exploits recordedin his Obituary in this Edition.)Willie Nixon managed to get to his funeral, which was on the12th of October, and so did Bobby, both driven there (by sonin-lawand son), but alas Eddie wasn’t there. Although we hadseen him just the day before, he had in the interim collapsed– and been carted off to the Royal Infirmary.Major Willie Shaw was also at John’s funeral. (Willie has notonly a rigid sense of duty but has always had a soft spot forthe redoubtable Tenth.). He didn’t stay for the post-funereal‘Celebration’ (pleading “work”!) but we (and many others)did. We found ourselves being generously entertained by MrsMary Ross, John’s lovely wife and constant companion since1946, and also by her son (another John). (The latter dwarfsJohn but is equally well-mannered!)There have been other events worth noting vis-à-vis theTenth. In February this year Colonel Bobby Steele gave, alongwith the members of the Luncheon Club, a luncheon at HHQfor Eddie Traynor and his friends and relations (includingWillie Nixon and Bobby McLachlan). John Ross didn’t makeit. Neither did the Queen – but HM took note of it. She herselfcame up to Holyrood in July to present Eddie with his MBE.Oh dear, someone didn’t brief HM to invite us (nor us toinvite HM).And of course the Continuation Club carried out itscustomary disappearance for Hogmanay and New Year’s Dayto Blackpool. (To do so in Scotland is a bit more expensive.)Willie Nixon was the only full Member there this year – andhe made the best of it, apparently dancing on Hogmanay andduring the Year’s Turn with every lady in sight.That’s the Tenth for you!The Continuation Club had another function on Friday 15th ofFebruary – a free luncheon as the guests of Eddie Traynor – whohas recovered since his October disappearance into hospital.(As this edition of the Journal should be off to the Publisher beforethe 15th of February, we can’t report on the luncheon.)32 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

A Coy; Ex Northern Ore, May 07.The end of a fine day’s sailing aboard HMSTC Zidona, during Ex Northern Seaward.“Spot the ball”, 1 Platoon vs. 3 Platoon in the Chalmers Cup;A Coy inter-platoon football competition.“The Millpond”; Fus Hughes surveys a windless English Channel.Sgt McGuire (1Pl) collecting the Chalmers Cup from Mrs Chalmers, after winingA Company inter-platoon football comp.Continued on page 3934 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

A Coy 2 ScotsB CoyFus Hughes taking control of HMSTC Zidona during Ex Northern Seaward,with Capt Savage relieved that they are still moored to the pontoon.Still waiting for the RAF!The man-portable HMG!WO2 CSM Stewart contemplating the temperature of the water.The Trans RockiesFus Punton and Fus Gildea “locking off” during the climbing phase of ExNorthern Ore.THE FINISH – Capt McClure, Capt Pennington.JNCO CadreCapt Savage looking concerned after discovering that no one is actually belaying him.Early morning PT.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 35

C Coy 2 SCOTSFSp CoyLCpl Gillies and Fus McLaughlin are distracted from their machine-gun drills.The joys of Castlelaw Ranges (back row L-R Fus Ingram, Muir, Coats, Curran,front row L-R Fus O’Shea, Punton and Minto).Cpl Gunn and LCpl MacLeod setting up the Command Post on Deployment.Loch Ness Marathon: L – R LCpl Dunlop, Fus Buist, LCpl McKinney, 2LtLaw, LCpl McGill and Capt Grant.L-R, Fus Wilson, Fus Vuki and Fus Christie preparing to fire.C Coy Newlove Cup Winners: back row L – R: Fus Oliver, LCpl Begley,Cpl McCormack, CSgt Marshall, Fus McIlmun, Fus Brewis, Fus Clerkson,Fus Black; front row L – R: Fus McLaren, Fus Mair, Cpl Fairbrother, FusWhitelaw, LCpl Hogg, Sgt McCulloch, Cpl Mortley, LCpl McGlone.2 SCOTS Mor Pl putting rounds down the range.36 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

The Royal Highland Fusiliers of CanadaFirst Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry RegimentNovember 11th 2007, Cambridge, Ontario.Traditional welcome (Haka) which opened the 50th birthday celebration.Training Exercise Sep 07, Meaford, Ontario – “B” Coy.Lt Colonel John Howard leads the Battalion in a Haka.Cpl Linton and Fus Smith on foot patrol in Ayr, Ontario.Maori Warrior during the welcoming ceremony.Mrs Gail Wilder and Mrs Ollie Lackenbaur withHRH The Duke of York at a Regimental Dinner in May 2007.IRNZIR Colours make an entrance.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 37

6 SCOTSWest Lowland Battalion ACFB Coy ambush rehearsal on ATD.Ayr RHF Detachment being presented with the Commandant’s Banner.Battlefield Tour to Monte Cassino, Mar 07.Col David Steele Glasgow and Lanarkshire Battalion ACF (Commandant)with Cadet RSM Kirsty Wylie (Ayr RHF).Glasgow and Lanarkshire Battalion ACFThe Honorary Colonel, CO and RSM greet the Royal Colonel.The Triathlon canoes.Pte Bryson, Kabul Foot Patrol Oct 07.The Girls’ Hockey Team.38 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

A Coy celebrating at the ‘Last Social’ before dispersal, Nov 07.In a busy programme time was found for EX NORTHERNSEAWARD; a Company lead sailing expedition. Although theexercise was enjoyed by all and it presented the Jocks with anumber of challenges (including sea sickness), it was certainly notas arduous as had been hoped. A distinct lack of wind ensuredthat most of the week was spent pleasantly sailing around thesouth coast: better winds next time!It was now late September and once again the operations plot wasshifting. 2 SCOTS had been transferred on to 16 Brigade’s ORBATand would be deploying on OP HERRICK 8. September drifted intoOctober which ended with Pre-deployment Training (PDT). Thedeployment was, unfortunately, only scaled for two companies andwithout a role for BULLDOG in Afghanistan it was with sad heartthat A Company had to disperse and backfill B and C companies.A Company HQ was to remain with the role of training the AfghanNational Army as part of the United Kingdom Leadership andTraining Team (UKLTT). (See also the Colour Section.)B COMPANYOC: Maj T H C de R Channer 2IC: Lt G MuirCSM: WO2 M McNally CQMS: CSgt C Trousdale4 Pl Comd: 2Lt M D Oladjins 4 Pl Sgt: Sgt J Fraser5 Pl Comd: 2Lt B Davey 5 Pl Sgt: Sgt P Gordon6 Pl Comd: 2Lt A Lassoued 6 Pl Sgt: Sgt S DevlinThe last few months in B Company have been as hectic as ever.(So hectic that the only B Coy photographs are in the Colour Section.)Before going on summer leave, the Company had been planningon an Iraq tour in 2008. On return, we were soon informed thatthe Battalion would no longer be going on Telic. It was notuntil late October that 2 SCOTS were told that they would begoing to Afghanistan. This news managed to sweep away thedisappointment of the preceding months and gave renewedimpetus to B Company. The remaining period has been focusedon training for OP HERRICK, with the Company workingextremely hard to gain the necessary qualifications to fulfil its roleas Mastiff Company in the Helmand Province.The Company continues to be under the command of MajorChanner with WO2 McNally as CSM. The JNCO Cadredominated the first six weeks after leave, as B Company sponsoredthe whole cadre. Based in Barry-Buddon Camp, those notinvolved in the cadre itself (with B Company contributing thehighest number of potential Lance Corporals) were acting asenemy or helping out generally with all the daily administrationrequirements. After the initial training, the Company andCadre moved to Otterburn for the test week. The exercise itselfwent well, but paled into insignificance in comparison to theFrance v Scotland game which everyone desperately wanted tosee – although using Land-Rovers to drive up the surroundinghills to get ’phone reception to check scores was probably notwhy they were brought on exercise. The Cadre itself turnedinto a significant success for B Company and Fusiliers Boyle,Cokanasiga, McDonald, Mclaren and Philipson all passed. LCplAndrews finished top of the Cadre and was awarded his stripe onthe parade square in front of the Battalion.Due to the continually changing plans, the proposed exerciseto Poland was cancelled and instead B Company spread itselfacross the United Kingdom and even to Germany in order togain qualifications on various weapon systems as well as theTHE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 39

Mastiff armoured vehicle. Mastiff became the focal point forthe Company’s efforts and Fusiliers, JNCOs and SNCOs allenjoyed learning to drive and command the vehicle. All returnedextremely enthusiastic about the vehicle and the protection itoffers. Most even managed to not crash the vehicle, somethingwhich was to change later on during the training. In Germany, theCompany was taught how to use the HMG and GMG, which willbe the weapon systems on the Mastiff.Operational Training and Advisory Group (OPTAG) trainingtook place in early November and we had the opportunity to meetother members of 16 Brigade, the Brigade we were deployingwith. Later on in the month the Company got its first chance touse Mastiff on exercise in STANTA with 2 PARA. The usefulnessand limitations of the vehicle were soon discovered by LCplNaqarase, who managed to discover why the REME exist; havingdriven off-road he was forced to wait for twelve hours for themto turn up and pull the vehicle out of the ditch. The rest of theExercise managed to pass without major incident and the weeklongopportunity to train will prove invaluable.The Company then went straight to Otterburn for a live-firingpackage. Any exercise in Otterburn in December is forced to dealwith the elements and despite the opportunity to use new weaponsystems and continue with all the build-up training, most willundoubtedly remember the horizontal rain and sleet and often amixture of both. The end of the exercise did, however, signal theend to a very busy period and the reward of Christmas leave. TheCorporals and Sergeants had their Mess Christmas function andon the Friday before leave, the Company had its annual party. Thebenefit of being on exercise a lot and raising money through thetuck shop was enjoyed by all.The months since the last leave period have flown by and,although the Company has spent long periods on exercise andaway from Glencorse, knowing that we will deploy in the NewYear has provided all the necessary motivation for the intensiveperiod. As ever, there have been several arrivals and departures inB Company. Capt Keating has moved to BHQ to become IO, LtMuir has become Company 2IC. 2Lt Oladjins commissioned inDecember and will takeover as 4 Pl Comd. Cpl Thomson returnedfrom his tour with the R ANGLIAN and was posted to Catterick.2008. Bring it on….C COMPANYOC: Maj T J Cave-Gibbs 2IC: Capt M D KerrCSM: WO2 S DreverCQMS: CSgt P Marshall8 Pl Comd: 2Lt C Law 8 Pl Sgt: Sgt T Lowe7 Pl Comd: Lt D E Reed 7 Pl Sgt: Sgt S McCulloch9 Pl Comd: Lt D J W Morgan 9 Pl Sgt: Sgt D AmesMuch like the rest of the Bn, C Coy returned from leave in Augustready to continue training to support the forthcoming deploymentto OP TELIC 12 in May 08. However, the plan and the brigadewas to change and by September we had been told that we wouldbe deploying to Afghanistan on OP HERRICK 8 in March 08 aspart of 16 Air Assault Brigade.The training programme has incorporated the key lessons fromPDT and other essential skills such as communications, vehiclepatrolling skills and public order. The programme has squeezedin what must be a record number of individual courses; drivingFus Thrower takes no chances in passing his GPMG assessment shoot.licences (from zero to hero in 8 weeks is the record, thanks to theMTO’s support) for Mastiff and Snatch vehicles, qualifying anAll Arms Search Team and putting soldiers through team medic,tactical intelligence and various helicopter handling courses toname but a few. We also focussed on getting to grips with therelatively new (to us) Bowman radio system and to qualify thewhole Company on the GPMG.To fill our manning requirement for OP HERRICK the Coywelcomed around 40 soldiers from A Coy led by 2Lt Bridle andSgt McGuire to swell the ranks. They have been quickly absorbedand the benefits of a ‘fully-manned’ coy are being felt.Amongst this full training programme we had a number ofsoldiers pass the Potential Junior NCO Cadre. Special mentionshould be made of Fus Smith and Fus Mair, both finishinghigh in the top third. Lt Morgan began as DS Pl Comd and dueto the fortunes of war ended up running the whole cadre! CplThompson and Cpl Mortley were involved as Sec Comds.On the 7 Oct a Bn Team comprising 2Lt Law and Bridle, CplGlen, LCpl Dunlop and McKinney and Fus Buist (all part of theC Coy family) completed the Loch Ness Marathon, running inboots, combats and day sacks weighing 20lbs (unlike all the othercompetitors, who had also done some training for the event!).Nevertheless, the team threw themselves wholeheartedly into therace and completed the course in a very respectable five hours andraised £1400 for the Erskine Charity. Capt Grant and LCpl McGillalso took part as individual runners.40 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

oles will be put to good use during the tour. Recce and Javelinhave joined the Mastiff Group and the Mortars will be supporting 5SCOTS and 7 RHA. Some of CHQ will also get to play with Mastiff,though the OC and CSM will be covering Security Sector Reformjobs, chosen for their well-developed diplomacy skills.The last six months have been a blur of training for operations,career courses and using opportunities such as RAAT to goodeffect. We have managed to conduct a successful cadre period,followed by a Live-firing Tactical Training (LFTT) camp atBarry Buddon.Cpl Mortley destroying the B Coy opposition to win the Newlove Cup.It has also been a period of consolidation for the re-formed ReccePlatoon. Although numbers remain low, the structure is nowestablished. The return of CSgt Robertson (from instructing inBrecon) and Sgt Lucas (4/73 Bty) from operations have addedconsiderably to the experience held both in general tactics andrecce skills. This, coupled with the welcome addition of Sgt Kylefrom C Company, has created a robust and effective Platoon HQ.CSgt Marshall holds aloft the Newlove Cup (presented by the Bn 2IC,an impartial ex-C Coy OC).The week after this the Coy football team won (and thereby retains)the Newlove cup by beating B Coy 2-1 in the final at MeadowbankStadium. CSgt Marshall captained the team and Cpl Mortley wonthe Golden Boot as top scorer. (See also the Colour Section.)Social NoticesWe welcome in Sgt Ames, Sgt McCulloch, Cpl Torrance, FusiliersBerry, Black, Brown, Clerkson, Cooper, Jackson, McLellan,McIlmun, McCrorey and Watson and say farewell to Sgt Kyle, CplFairbrother, Mortley and LCpl Hogg.Congratulations to Fus Bates and Lauren on the birth of theirsecond son Millar, to Fus Grant and Joanne on the birth of theirdaughter Kelice and to Fus Mason and Stephanie on their marriage.FIRE SUPPORT COMPANYOC: Major M P S Luckyn-MaloneOC Mortar: Captain B A O’NeillOC Recce: Captain R S MontgomeryOC ATk: Captain D AitkenCSM: WO2 K J GallowayIt has been a frenetic period involving much disruption, butequally, many opportunities. FSp Coy has embraced the changes.Having been split down to support other Companies for Iraq, it wasnecessary to reconstitute and retrain as when it became apparent that2 SCOTS had been transferred to a later Afghanistan tour. Thereis an increase in enthusiasm, knowing that each of our specialistThe strains of “The Muckin of Geordie’s Byre” faded away,and “Orange and Blue” once more came to fore, as the Pipesand Drums Platoon rejoined FSp Company after a brief stintwith A Company. We said ‘farewell’ to Pipe Major Neil Hallin July and Drum Major Scott MacDougall in September. ThePlatoon competed at the Army Piping, Drumming and BuglingChampionships, winning the medley competition, coming 2nd inthe March, Strathspey and Reel Competition and 2nd overall. SgtThompson achieved 3rd in the senior Bugling and the Pipe Majortwo 2nd places in the senior Piping. Preparation is now in earnestfor the Edinburgh and Basil Tattoos.The Javelin Platoon, as with the Ps&Ds, now has a new PlComd and 2IC, Capt Ewan Aitken and CSgt Joe Burke. Traininghas continued unabated to its usual high standards. The closerrelationship with Recce is very welcome and, like the newweapon system itself, has forced the Platoon to reassess its TTPs.Both ISTAR and STRIKE roles will be well utilised in theatre.A successful Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition andReconnaisance (ISTAR) cadre earlier in the year has allowed thePlatoon the time to now concentrate on training for the Mastiffrole, safe in the knowledge that there will be little skill-fade intheir primary role.The Mortars have done well to get so much live-fire trainingin recent months. There was a successful numbers cadre inOtterburn and also LFTT on Barry Buddon, support to JFACSUin Otterburn, support to 5 SCOTS on Salisbury Plain and 7 RHAin Sennybridge. The Platoon has been busy, but the training isnecessary preparation for the kind of demands that are beingreported back from Helmand. Sgt Stewart is already out there with52 Bde and we recently received Cpl Bright back from the last tour.The Company is well prepared for next summer. Those in theMastiff group are training on its crew-served weapons and manynow have Cat C licenses to drive the beast. Our MFCs are beingtrained as Forward Air Controllers and Forward ObservationOfficers, greatly enhancing our future capability. FSp Company islooking forward to the tour and will benefit enormously from thebreadth of experience that its personnel will return with. Theirexperiences will help shape how FSp Coy operates and supportsthe other Companies in the future.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 41

Machinegun Platoon rests so that the Pipe-Major can pick his nose.Fus Chisholm and Tora enjoy life in an OP.Colour Party – CSgt Smith, CSgt McIndoe, WO2 Drever, CSgt Trousdale.Fus Strathearn poses for the Anti-Tank Platoon Calendar.Fire Support Company CadresIn August the Recce Platoon combined with the Anti-TankPlatoon undertook an ISTAR Cadre. It had two main objectives:revision of the basic skill sets and the forging of a strongerworking relationship between the Platoons. The introductionof the CLU sighting system which has ensured the surveillancecapability of the Anti-Tanks is now invaluable to the recce role.Integrating this capability into the Recce Screen will be the key tofuture light-role surveillance operations.The mutually dependent skills of sub-surface ops, contact drillsand patrolling in small teams were rigorously tested during theFus Waqalevu enjoys the ‘man-packable’ CLU.exercise phase in Sennybridge Training Area. The final weekwas a Live Firing Camp in which the Company combined forthe first time in many months. This was used to strengthen themarksmanship of the Company; over 60% of the Recce achievedMarksman standard on the APWT.Despite the ups and downs of the operational deployment rollercoaster,the Mortar Platoon deployed to Otterburn Training Area in late Augustto conduct a refresher cadre and its annual live-firing camp.After shaking out the cobwebs in the first week the Platoonmoved into Otterburn Training Camp for the second. Mortar42 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

Commanding Officer saw the complexities of a mirror shootwhilst the Regimental Sergeant Major was introduced to thelife as a Number 2 and 3 by WO2 Temple. An Illuminationshoot followed on that evening, which saw some unusual firingpositions being adopted due to soft ground.The cadre concluded with an introduction to the executive sideof life for the Mortar numbers, allowing the junior membersto be both MFCs and CPO (with some supervision). The dayculminated with a Direct Shoot pitting young mortar numbersagainst the older command team. (See also the Colour Section.)Capt Montgomery assesses the OP.HQ COMPANYOC: Maj C KerrCSM: WO2 D RobertsonCQMS: CSgt A TurnerStoreman: Cpl B DevlinClerks: LCpl N Duhaney and Cpl S HillhouseSince our last entry the tempo of training and support to theBattalion has increased dramatically. From SLE, a possibleoperational tour of IRAQ on TELIC 11 and now a confirmeddeployment, on OP HERRICK 8 with 16 Air Assault Brigade.Many members of HQ Company still had the time to supportceremonial duties for the General Assembly of the Church ofScotland and the guard at Holyrood Palace. All departments inHQ Company can be proud of their achievements to date and willcontinue to train and support the Battalion for the forthcomingOp Tour.LCpl Bonnar adjusting targets from his OP.The QM’s G4 gang, which incorporates the MT, LAD andSignals, has been actively involved in the final stages of thecompletion of the Bowman conversion – less four vehicle fitswhich still remain in Ashchurch. Sgt Worrall (Signals CQMS orQM G1098 2IC) has had the pleasure of receipting all equipmenton to the UNICOM account, a major task as you can understandwith every piece of equipment given a serialised number. Nowthat we have successfully converted the fleet we now need toWhole Fleet Manage (WFM) these assets in line with 3 Div WFMdirectives and reduce the fleet to approx 42 vehicles. I can hearthe screams of joy from the MT/LAD – less to worry about forthe ECIs, more time off, etc. But… “No Chance” – as most of theLAD are now actively training to convert to Snatch and Mastiff,having just converted to “BULLDOG”. (That’s another story.)L-R, Fus Tawake, Cpl Denovan and LCpl Vanalagi getting down and dirtyduring the Illum Shoot.sections deployed out to the training areas and the MFCs stayedin camp to use the Dismounted Close Combat Trainer. Byexploiting the full extent of the Bowman radios, MFCs were ableto send real time fire missions against a digital enemy. Addedto the complexities of the Bowman radio this really tested allthe personnel in the Platoon and prepared them well for theremaining events..As always the main event for any mortar platoon is live firing.After a few refresher shoots the Platoon was back up to its usualhigh standard; just in time it seemed for a surprise visit by theCommanding Officer and the Regimental Sergeant Major. TheAlso during this period the Battalion took loan of four of the newtroop-carrying vehicles that are intensively and very successfullyused in Iraq and Afghanistan. The “Mastiff ”, an impressivevehicle to say the least, gives vital all round protection to theoccupants and packs a punch with its 0.5 Browning machinegun. A Class 2 licence is required for this monster; it is as wideas a ’bus. This troop carrier and weapons platform will be usedextensively by the Battalion in Afghanistan.The Bn continues to be at apace; despite the Driver TrainingWing being maxed out, it is producing newly-qualified drivers inincredible numbers to meet the operational requirement. At thetime of writing there are 99 soldiers planned to go through someform of licence acquisition, conversion or familiarisation trainingin November alone. These are incredible numbers. All credit mustgo to the Driver Training Wing for their efforts in meeting therequired stats.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 43

HQ Coy & Sig Pl – MontageThe RCWO and his band of merry men have worked tirelessly toensure Pay As You Dine (PAYD) was introduced also this year. Thechefs have done an amazing task supporting the Battalion fromGlencorse, Lydd, Germany and all over England. Their supporthas been noted and they are to be commended for their hard workensuring our soldiers’ waist lines are kept at a reasonable size!Not forgetting Battalion Headquarters who continue to bombardus with Op orders, exercise instructions, Int briefings andanything else they can think of. We have the right mindset totake the training forward in a positive manner and ensure thefull weight and support is available for the operational tour ofAfghanistan early next year. Till next time.POTENTIAL JUNIOR NON-COMMISSIONEDOFFICER CADRE20 AUG-28 SEP O7The PJNCO Cadre is an important phase in an Infantry soldier’scareer as he begins the transition from Fusilier to Lance Corporal.It is possibly his greatest hurdle as he steps up to take responsibilityand command. This year’s Cadre was sponsored by B Company, whoprovided the overarching support and direction. The Cadre Officer,selected from an enormous pool, was Lt Morgan from C Coy.The 2 SCOTS 07 Cadre began with an instructional phase at BarryBuddon Camp, getting the ever dreaded Command LeadershipManagement (CLM) out of the way first, mixed with a challengingbut progressive Physical Training programme taken by LCpl“master chief ” Barr. This phase although largely classroom-basedwas spiced up where possible with outdoor activities. (See the firstpage of the Colour Section.)By Week 3 it was time to move into the more bayonet-focused partof the programme, a week-long range package culminating witha series of live Fire Team attacks. During the first four weeks thePJNCOs were thoroughly put to the test across a vast spectrumof activities, from the physical to the intellectual (by commonconsensus the running of their BLs being the most challenging), allachieving varying degrees of success.By Week 5 it was time for a scenery change and the Cadre movedto ‘sunny’ Otterburn for the exercise phase. Although a wellplannedexercise we forgot one vital ingredient, which is normallyguaranteed at Otterburn, the rain. In the end it did not matter asthe Fusiliers were kept so busy they would not have noticed therain anyway. The dreaded command appointment change wasin force – and from section attacks to ops and recce patrols thePJNCOs came back with a thorough knowledge of the trainingarea. The exercise culminated in an epic dawn Platoon attack withthe best students in command appointment.For the final week the Cadre returned back to Glencorse Barracksfor the last of the CLM – and to the CSM’s delight more drill thanyou can shake a stick at. Twenty of the twenty-eight soldiers whostarted the cadre passed off the square. They were: Fus Andrews(top student), Fus Boyle, Fus Buchanan, Fus Cokanasiga, FusColeman, Fus Loughlin, Fus Mair, Fus Mana, Fus McBlain, FusMcBride, Fus McCracken, Fus McDonald 46, Fus McLaren, FusNakanacagi, Fus Philipson, Fus Punton, Fus Smith, Fus Thom,Fus Vueti and Fus Vakalaloma.44 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

CSgts Trousdale and McIndo covering off the VC memorial.CEREMONIAL/PUBLIC DUTIESThe Battalion has settled into the hustle and bustle lifestyle thatwe now know and love at Glencorse Barracks. The barracks iswell situated and close to the capital and in particular EdinburghCastle, Holyrood Palace and our recruiting areas. This proximityhas given the Battalion a number of opportunities to take part inceremonial duties, allowing the kilt to be worn as our new formof dress, instead of our traditional lowland trews. The ceremonialduties have allowed the Jocks the chance to swagger with our newfoundattire to the sound of the Pipes & Drums.The main ceremonial event was the General Assembly of theChurch of Scotland (GACOS). The 2nd Battalion had to providea Guard of Honour for The Queen’s Representative attending theAssembly. This was Prince Andrew, who is also the Battalion’sRoyal Colonel – which made the event more memorable. TheGuard of Honour was to greet Prince Andrew on his arrival atHolyrood Palace on the 18th of May 07. The Battalion would alsoprovide ceremonial guards to Edinburgh Castle and HolyroodPalace throughout the week of the Assembly.This was to be a fairly alien world to most of the Jocks as the lasttime any had taken part in a drill ceremony was their pass-outparade. Years of company operations in Inverness and Cyprusdoing minimum drill were the norm. It took a week’s preparation,starting from the very basics of foot and rifle drill, double sentrydrill and learning how to wear No 1 Dress properly with a kilt.(Lowland Dress was much easier to fit and wear.) The endproduct for the week was a Jock looking the part in our newattire, with a swagger and drill prowess that would grace any drillsquare. It also gave some of the SNCOs a chance to exercise theirtonsils and practice the Sir Alex Ferguson hairdryer, which wasdelivered a number of times to great effect.With the experience of GACOS fresh in our minds it was time toparade our Battalion Colours at Glasgow Cathedral on the 1st ofJuly 07. This was to commemorate the first day of the Battle ofthe Somme during the First World War. All three Colours, ‘withEscorts’, were paraded in full ceremonials and the service wasattended by the Lord Provost of Glasgow’s Deputy, many GlasgowCouncillors, the Regimental Association and all key personalitiesfrom the Battalion. After the service all members of the Regimentalfamily then attended Home Headquarters for a buffet Lunch.The Guard of Honour for Prince Andrew at Holyrood Palaceduring the GACOS.Two months later, on 1st Sep 07 it was time to parade theRegimental Colours again at Glasgow Cathedral, this time for theopening of the Victoria Cross Memorial to commemorate all thoseGlaswegians who have won the award. The opening ceremonystarted with a service during which all three Colours were paraded,followed by the unveiling of the memorial. Two Colour SergeantTHE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 45

escorts flanked either side of the memorial in No 1 Dress to pay thecorrect compliments during the unveiling and act of remembrance.The day was very poignant and attended by many members of theRegimental family both old and new. The Royal British Legion wasalso on parade in strength carrying their Standards, which addedgreat colour and splendour to the occasion. (See also the Front Cover!)During the month of September, the Battle of Assaye wascommemorated, in usual RHF style, by All Ranks in theBattalion. Each mess celebrates Assaye Day annually with a Ball.The weekend of celebrations started on the 20th Sep 07 witha service on the main square at Glencorse Bks. The Battalionparaded in a hollow square and the QM, Major J E B Kerr,marched on the Assaye Colour with escorts to the sound of thePipes and Drums. This was to symbolise Quarter Master Grantand his well-known actions during the Battle. At the service Lt DE Reed gave a very stirring rendition of the battle, which wouldhave acted as a history lesson to our newest Jocks and hopefullyinspire in them the pride in our Assaye Colour that is felt byeveryone associated with RHF both past and present.As the Battalion focus now changes towards operations and OPHERRICK, there are no forecasted ceremonial duties till ourreturn from Afghanistan. This will mean that the enclosed drillsquare in Glencorse Bks will be silent to the echo of marchingtroops, SNCOs screaming words of command and the sound ofpipes and drums. The drill square will now see a different role– for troops taking part in Battle PT lessons.VISIT TO 1 RNZIROn the 27th of July, Lt Morgan and Lt Muir departed for NewZealand to represent 2 SCOTS at the 1st Battalion, The RoyalNew Zealand Infantry Regiment’s 50th Birthday. The Battalion’srelationship with 1 RNZIR stretches back to Singapore in theearly 1970s when the Royal Highland Fusiliers and 1 RNZIRwere stationed there. A parade was held in 1973 to commemoratethe affiliation.The shock normally associated with swapping a Scottish summerfor a New Zealand winter was not as great as hoped consideringthe adverse weather which we had experienced in Edinburgh sofar. So it was no surprise that on landing in Auckland we weremet with rain. A short flight to Wellington followed, and at thatpoint we had several days to experience New Zealand beforeattending the celebrations over the weekend of the 3rd to the 5thof August.Palmerston North is a couple of hours north of Wellington andis not the most attractive of places, although it does have a largestudent population. The first event of the Birthday Weekend wasa cocktail party held in their Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’Mess on the Friday evening.The event itself presented an opportunity for us to meet up withour Regimental Secretary, Colonel Steele, and introduce ourselvesto their Mess. Everyone was extremely friendly and quite impressedthat we had all travelled so far, not perhaps realising we had a stopoffin California planned for the way back! We also interestinglymet several Officers and NCOs including an ex-RHF Sergeant, RabKelly, who had transferred across from the British Army.The open day commenced with a Powhiri, a traditional Maoriwelcome, during which their Commanding Officer LieutenantColonel John Howard led the Battalion in a Haka.The rest of the day comprised demonstrations of 1 RNZIR’sarmoured personnel carriers and equipment and tours of theirhistory room, detailing the numerous conflicts in which theyhave been involved. It was extremely interesting to read of theirdeployments to Vietnam and meet several of those involved, asit is a conflict which is not talked much about in Britain. In thelate afternoon, a parade and beating of retreat was held with theinnovative and impressive parade at odds with the diabolicalweather. This included their Colours arriving on the square inarmoured vehicles, Maori warriors patrolling the edges of theparade ground and some more recognisable drill as the Colourswere paraded and the band went through its paces. The rainSomething that New Zealand has no shortage of, scenery.46 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

A Maori warrior on patrol.Stage 1 – Capt McClure, Capt Pennington.did not let up at all during the hour-long parade and it wasundoubtedly with some relief that the crowd dispersed to theevening function, especially for those involved in the Parade whowere soaked to the bone.The evening involved a buffet dinner, a considerable amount ofalcohol and some valiant attempts at public speaking by severaldignitaries who were drowned out by the sound of rain and noise ofthe crowd. We continued to meet individuals from other Regimentsaffiliated to 1 RNZIR and several dignitaries before the evening’s end.The visit allowed us to refresh the links with 1 RNZIR, whichwere established over 40 years ago.(NB: More excellent ‘Visit’ photographs are on the third page of theColour Section under 1 RNZIR.)THE TRANS ROCKIESCaptain R R D McClure1 RNZIR 50th Birthday Parade.In August this year I had competed in the Trans Rockieschallenge; a 7-day mountain bike stage race held in the CanadianRocky Mountains. The race covers over 500 km of wilderness andascends over 11000m. The race is a team event, each team madeup of two riders who must remain within two minutes of eachother at every check point. This year over 600 competitors fromover twenty countries competed. I entered the race with CaptTented Accommodation.Charlie Pennington RM who I had only met a few months earlierwhile deployed in Iraq.The race commenced in Panorama Ski resort approximatelyfour hours away from Calgary. The Kootenay Rockies providedthe stunning backdrop to the event running north to south andfinishing in Fernie. With one exception, each day we would raceto a new location. The event organisers moved the camp each daywhile we raced. A mobile shower unit, kitchen, marquee, tentsand RVs (for those who could afford them) followed the race toour new destination.Each day saw us in the saddle for an average of 4 hrs with thelongest stages taking over 6 hrs. The first descent of the TranRockies was an eye-opener; this goat track, a few inches wide,first contoured the mountainside before dropping over 500min a series of tight switchbacks. On Day 2 we encountered ourfirst technical problem when we realised Charlie’s rear hub wasbroken: he would have to pedal for the whole of the stage ashe was unable to freewheel. As Day 3 dawned aches and painswere now being felt and my backside was not looking forwardto another day in the saddle. Day 4 arrived and with it therealisation that my body could feel worse than the previous. Itfelt colder and we were taking longer to warm up; the first hourwas painful. This was one of the longer days, 113 km and over1300m climbing. Charlie had a major accident, coming off ona fast descent. He recovered well enough to pull us along theforestry service roads and we finished 47th.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 47

Stage 6 – Capt McClure, Capt Pennington.On the fifth day we had our worst finish, 84th in our category and160th overall. We were devastated as we arrived at Elkford, madeall the worse by the fact we were sitting in the top 100 overall andjust inside the top 50 in our category and locked in a battle withtwo other army teams; The Afghan Hounds and The Rifles.The town of Elkford had welcomed us with open arms which wastypical of the attitude of the local communities. Strangers wouldline the streets to cheer us on and they opened their communitycentres for our use. Day 6 was another epic, this time 116km andover 2300m of climbing. The end was now in sight and we weredetermined to make up for the previous day’s mechanical problems.This was some of the most scenic riding of the event making ourway to Sparwood. The route had two major climbs (equivalent toascending two Munros consecutively) up to Alexander and WheelerCreeks respectively. Once again we were well off the beaten trackand into bear country. This stage had over 50% gravel roads andthis suited us well, as we were able to work ourselves up to avery respectable top-40 finish. The last 10 km was a particularlymemorable roller-coaster ride of old roads and single-track that ledus directly to the mining town of Sparwood.The last day was promising to be a very quick blast into the finishat Fernie. Only 48 km long and with just 600m of climbing theday would be over in around two hours.Charlie and I finished 46th in our category. We had bothenjoyed the experience. The race was very challenging and hadtested us both. Charlie had crashed with alarming regularityand I had struggled with the physical demands but we hadmade a very good team. The Canadian Rockies providedan amazing scenic backdrop to the event. The spirit of thecompetitors was second to none and the camaraderie on thestages was fantastic. Despite the fact Charlie and I had neverridden together we would both sign up to similar events in thefuture. (See also the Colour Section.)2 SCOTS BATTALION FOOTBALL TEAM(The full squad is on view on the inside of the Rear Cover – a wholehalf-page!)The football team have endured a busy yet unsuccessful season.We entered numerous competitions and tournaments and havereturned without silverware. The season has not been a total loss, asthe coaching staff has identified a lot of new football talent withinthe Battalion. With the correct training and coaching the newplayers will be a future asset to the team.The first competition the team entered was the Infantry Six-a-SideCompetition at ATR Pirbright. The Team Manager CSgt PaddyMarshall took a team of nine gladiators to Pirbright to conquer theother 18 infantry teams that were there. We gave a good account ofourselves and reached the quarter finals, which we lost to 1 Rifles.When we returned to Glencorse we had a friendly match organisedwith a civilian team from Glasgow. Baillieston Villa play in theSaturday league in Glasgow and are sponsored by the Army. Theteam is coached by Sgt Brian McLachlan (Boulders) who was aformer captain of the Bn football team. It was a close match withthe visitors being the victors by 5 goals to 4.Next up was the Infantry Cup competition where we had beendrawn against 3 SCOTS. The team was granted a week’s training toconcentrate on the fixture. CSgt Jim Stevenson (Coach) managed tosecure six hours of training with Hamilton Academicals (The Accies),the current leaders of the Scottish Football League Division 1. TheDirector of youth football Mr Frankie McIlvoy was the man to putthe team through their paces. Throughout the training time we had48 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

at the Accies, we played in numerous training matches against theunder 19s (U19). This was a great experience for all involved andshould have set us up nicely for the game against 3 SCOTS.Unfortunately this was not the case as we lost the game by 4 goalsto 1. This meant we were knocked out of the Infantry Cup in thefirst round.It wasn’t the last we would see of 3 SCOTS. We still had the ArmyCup competition to play in. As fate would have it, we were drawnagainst 3 SCOTS for the second time. This game was played twoweeks after the Infantry Cup match. The game finished a nailbiting6 goals to 5 in favour of 3 SCOTS.With no more competitions left we look forward to returning fromoperations and starting all over again. This time we will have ourown pitch in Glencorse and hopefully a league competition to joinin. This will guarantee competitive football on a weekly basis.LCpl Begley closes down the U19 midfielder, with Fusiliers Oliver and Brewisand Capt Taylor in the background.Frankie McIlvoy instructs the team.Captains Collide. Cpl Eddie Mortley attempts to win the header.Cpl Ian Anderson evades the challenge of the Baillieston Villa midfielder, with LCpl Craig McMeeken looking on.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 49

52nd Lowland, Sixth BattalionThe Royal Regiment of ScotlandCO: Lt Col C A Coull2IC: Major A J TomczykTrg Maj: Major G A Irvine-FortescueRAO: Major PM HazellAdjt: Captain A D WatsonRSM: WO1 (RSM) S G CochraneCOMMANDING OFFICER’S OVERVIEW – 2007Lt Col C A CoullI took over command from Lt Col Sam Burns in April of this year.The summer period has been heavily dominated by our preparationsfor deploying a Force Protection (FP) Platoon to Kabul on OPHERRICK 7 and Exercise SUMMER CHALLENGE 07.The most challenging activity of the Summer months was tomobilise and train the FP (Force Protection) Pl to accompany124 Petroleum Sqn from 151 Tpt Regt for a six-month tour ofduty based at the ISAF (International Security and AssistanceForce) HQ in Kabul. The MOBREP (Mobilisation Report) to HQLAND was to mobilise forty-four from the Bn in order to meet theminimum manning requirement for the FP Pl of 1 + 31. BremenPl, as we’ve named them, form the 4th Pl of the Macedonian(MK) FP Company in the ISAF base and will be under TACON(Tactical Control) of the MK Coy, but remain OPCOM to (underOperational Command of) the Tpt and Maint Sqn. A Lt Col fromthe NATO ISAF HSG (HQ Support Group) is the immediatecommander of the ISAF 10B Tpt & Maint Sqn. So a complex chainof command and set of events! The bulk of the training effort fellupon the Bn and it is no small part due to the Herculean efforts ofthe Training Major and his team (and in particular CSgt Millar, theMachine Gun Pl PSI who is also accompanying the Pl for their firstfew months in theatre) that the relatively short period of trainingpassed off so well. I am also very grateful indeed to 5 SCOTS whoprovided, at very short notice, a training team of three with recentexperience in Kabul who worked with the Bn team.SUMMER CHALLENGE was headed up by 7 SCOTS and over aseven-week period produced CIC (Combat Infantryman’s Course)(TA) trained soldiers, most of whom had come straight fromcivilian life. 6 SCOTS contributed a large number of personnel toassist with the training and in turn have benefited from almost anentire Rifle Pl. This scheme, although manpower intensive andextremely difficult to organise, has produced large numbers oftrained personnel over the past two years, many of which are nowdeployed on HERRICK 7. We will be running Summer Challengein 2008 and it will be the main effort for the year.In addition to the FP Pl in Kabul, we have personnel mobilisedin the Balkans, Germany and quite a few who have just returnedfrom Iraq. It is fair to say there are very few left in the Bn whocan be mobilised and the situation is unlikely to improve for awhile. That said, we will attempt to support the Reg Bns withBremen Pl, PDT, Barry Buddon.50 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

Bremen Pl, Kabul, Dec 07.IRs (Individual Reinforcements) where possible but we must nowshift our focus to OP HERRICK 12 where we are to provide a TACohort. In all likelihood this will take up most of the Bn but atlast the OCP is being aligned with Regimental ties and we lookforward to working closely with 2 SCOTS over the next few years.It has been difficult to maintain any form of normality duringthis period – numbers attending training have been low due to themanpower demands of Ex SC 07, the deployment (and training)of the Jocks to Kabul and the ever-present RATT (RegimentalAssistance Task Table) tasks. However I expect these demands todecrease now that Bremen Pl have deployed to Afghanistan andlife begins to settle down a little.Our annual camp was in Warcop this year. We are conducted a lot ofquality live-firing, a Coy-level exercise and had visits from the PrincessRoyal, who is our Royal Colonel and the Colonel of the Regiment,both of whom were visiting the Bn for the first time. The visits were agreat success with the Princess Royal spending three hours rather thanLt Fisher leads a foot patrol in Kabul.the two planned. We have just completed the Glasgow RemembranceParade (which is said to be the largest one in the UK after theCenotaph in London) at which we were blessed with fine weather andthe usual impressive turnout from all sorts of organisations.The Royal Colonel with the Officers, see picture on page 52.A COMPANYOC: Major D G StimpsonPSAO: Captain J W ReidCSM: WO2 K F IrvingA Company 6 SCOTS has now fully reorganised and now consistsof the Company Headquarters and a Rifle Platoon based atHepburn House in Edinburgh, a Machine Gun Platoon with anincreased manning establishment in Bathgate and a Javelin AntitankPlatoon and a Rifle Platoon in Galashiels.In January of this year Major D G Stimpson assumed command,taking over from Major A J Tomczyk. This was followedimmediately by the annual Equipment Care Inspection and asalways a busy period for a unit. Concurrent to this the Battalionunderwent the implementation of the new rules and arrangementsfor personal administration.A Company have provided a large component of the Battalion’sBremen Platoon personnel mobilised for OP HERRICK 7. ThePlatoon are based in Kabul alongside a Macedonian Army ForceProtection Company providing Force Protection throughouttheir TAOR (Tactical Area of Responsibility). Working closelywith the Afghan National Army and the Kabul City Police theyprovide personnel for foot patrols, vehicle patrols and QRF (QuickReaction Force) duties. The Platoon has adjusted rapidly to its newenvironments and continues to come to terms with the busy andchallenging local surroundings. Throughout the formative and firstTHE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 51

The Royal Colonel with the Officers, Warrant Officers and SNCOs.few months they have been coached and mentored by CSgt MillarSCOTS, the Machine Gun Platoon PSI who deployed along with thePlatoon. To date the high point of the tour has been providing basesecurity for SACEUR’s visit.The Pre-deployment training package for Bremen Platoon was heldat Barry Buddon Training Centre with the Battalion providing thetraining infrastructure and support. The training package was thenfollowed by a period of intensive training period in England prior todeployment to Afghanistan in September 2007.The Machine Gun Platoon, Bathgate Detachment, continues tomaintain their skills on the GPMG (SF) weapon system. ThePlatoon Second-in-Command has assumed the role of the PlatoonCommander in the absence of Lt D Fisher, who is currently deployedon OP HERRICK 7 as the Bremen Platoon Commander.The Javelin Platoon, Galashiels Detachment, have commencedthe training of the Platoon hierarchy and currently have a coursequalifiedPlatoon Commander, Platoon 2IC, Section Commanderand Detachment Commander. With the new qualifications in placethe detachment personnel delivered a basic Javelin Anti-ArmourGuided Weapon System cadre to personnel from both 6 SCOTSand 7 SCOTS in March. The cadre trained gunners and controllerobservers on the weapons system and the basic tactics. The Anti-Tank Platoon is now continuing the training to the detachmentwith the aid of the new Javelin Indoor Trainer.A Company has also ensured the opportunity for a period of sport/adventure training and have now identified a number potentialcanoeists within A Company as a result of the sterling efforts ofCapt David Coulter who delivered an excellent period of canoeskills training at the Dreghorn Camp swimming pool beforefollowing on to a live river system during the Battalion’s ATD atWarcop in September.The Company also supported the Battalion’s main recruitingeffort on Summer Challenge 06 at Inverness Training Camp andlooks forward to playing a key role in 2008.Javelin Training ATk Cadre, Dreghorn Barracks, Feb 07.The Company efforts in supporting the community and charityevents continued. The most notable being that of A Companyproviding personnel to support to the Edinburgh Taxi Day forhandicapped and disadvantaged children in July. CSgt Watsonled this team armed as usual with lots of water, water pistol andsweets for the children.52 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

WO2 C Best, Machine Gun Platoon 2IC and a keen sportingparachutist, participated in the British Indoor RowingChampionships in Birmingham. This is the largest indoor sportingevent in the UK; circa 3000 competitors take part each year. Therace is over 2000m, which Olympic athletes complete in under 6minutes. After much personal planning, private time training anddetermination WO2 Best completed his race in 6:42.8. The winningtime was 6:14 with WO2 Best coming in 14th out of 60.A Company continues to have a wide area of responsibility onRemembrance Sunday. The Company paraded in Bathgate, Galashiels,Peebles, Hawick and Edinburgh (both at the Canongate Kirk andBroughton Church). The Edinburgh parades are always then followedby the 7th/9th Highlander Battalion. A Company also contributed tothe Battalion’s Guard of Honour at George Square, Glasgow.Closure to the year was provided in the form of the Battalion’s annualExercise CHRISTMAS PUD. The finale of the training event beingthe JNCOs and Jocks receiving table service from the Officers andSNCOs. At year-end A Company is now looking forward to a welldeserved but short break over the festive season, taking the opportunityto rest, revitalise and contemplate the busy year ahead that is 2008.B COMPANYOC: Captain J DonaldPSAO: Captain H M McAulayCSM: WO2 R S M HoggWith the requirements of the ATD (Army Training Directive)successfully completed the year has almost come to a close. ATD wassplit into two, the first week being a range package bringing in AnnualPersonnel Weapons Tests, zeroing, and other Annual Training Tests.The second week consisted of adventure training exercises, which saweveryone taking to the outdoors to participate in rock climbing andhill walking. As usual Captain Donald had only a few volunteers toparticipate in his team, possibly due to fear of the hill walking turninginto a new CFT (Combat Fitness Test) challenge.Remembrance Sunday was a bit disappointing regardingnumbers. Due to this we were only able to have two peoplerepresenting B Company in Ayr.WO2 Hogg was tasked to lay awreath on behalf of the Company and 6 SCOTS at Prestwick.The Coy supported the Bn Main Effort in Glasgow which saw 6SCOTS supplying the Guard of Honour. It was the first time thatmost of the Jocks had worn the new No 2 Dress.B Company Headquarters.Focusing now on our troops from the Company over in Afghanistan.With five soldiers deployed on OP HERRICK 7, the Company stilloffers great support to the regular forces. Reports that have comeback are positive and advise that they are all working hard just as weimagined that they would. We would also like to take this opportunityto wish everyone a speedy safe return home, as the end of their tour isnearly approaching. Many congratulations go to Woman Private BarrAGC who is currently deployed in Afghanistan. She has participatedin raising the sum of £1052.00 in aid of breast cancer.Last training event of the year was Ex Christmas Pud. The locationfor this was Redford Barracks in Edinburgh. The tasks for thisweekend saw the troops taking part in a march and shoot over thehills to the range. It was a great team effort, which saw B Company’steam coming in a close 2nd. With an excellent time for the march,followed by an outstanding shoot, however we just got beaten by theunderdogs, Charlie Company’s 2nd team. Following this we had thetraditional Christmas Dinner. With a couple of light refreshments towash a tasty meal down, the Officers and Senior Ranks then left to letthe Junior Ranks let their hair down.Sunday morning saw B Company showing off their skill in theChristmas-themed Inter Battalion competition. This saw teamshaving to pull or push a half-ton trailer around a course whilstcompeting in various events. Again, 1st place missed again and 2ndposition taken by B Company.The first training event to take place in the New Year is a Companytraining weekend at Barry Buddon. This will see the Companyharbouring up, and setting out patrols. This will allow them also to catchup with any missed test requirements, and to brush up on field skills.Congratulations go to Captain Don Donald on his new appointmentas Company Commander, and to WO2 Hogg as CSM in hissubstantive rank. It is more than certain that B Company willprovide full support for the year ahead.And finally, the Company has new recruiting staff, who are workinghard to gain and retain soldiers. We offer full support to them ontaking on this challenging role. With Cpl Chivas at the helm, we aresure that this is an achievable task! All the Best.C COMPANYOC: Captain T Pounder2IC: Captain A I CampbellPSAO: Captain A BlairCSM: WO2 A DuncanC Company has had a busy year, not least with the changes to thecommand structure within the Company. There is a new OC afterCaptain Jason Combes handed over to Captain Tom Pounder, an ex-Regular Army Officer with the Argylls, who after a sabbatical withthe South African Defence Force has returned to assume commandof C Coy. This change was implemented at the same time as thechange over of CSM. CSM Andy Duncan completed his two-yearrotation in post and handed over to CSM Ernie Stewart. This changein command should see a renewed thrust for company training inthe forthcoming year as both are keen to progress the Company toachieve new levels of training and capabilities. To the two outgoing,we wish them good luck in their future endeavours and hope theyenjoy their weekends off!!THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 53

The main effort of the Company in 2007 has been to course qualifyas many individuals as possible so as to benefit both Company andBattalion training. A main focus at the beginning of the year wasthe Assault Pioneer cadre that was organised and run by 6 SCOTSin Weymouth. This cadre incorporated students from 6 SCOTS, 7SCOTS and 4 LANCS. This course was initiated and planned by SgtHealy the Assault Pioneer PSI and implemented and run by NCOsof 6 SCOTS Assault Pioneer Platoon. This was a ten-day cadre thatincorporated four core Pioneer modules and allowed all students thechance to gain the relevant modular qualification. It is a testamentto the quality of the instructors, namely Cpl Mearns and Cpl Coyne,that the pass rate was so high. Throughout the remainder of theyear there were many qualifications gained from various courses andindeed the Company now has our first Bowman-qualified instructorin Sgt Aitcheson, who will be kept busy in the forthcoming yearattempting to convert the remainder of the Company.C Company has supported the Battalion weekends with renewedvigour this year. A highlight of this training was the range weekendheld at Warcop Training Area. The Company ran an IBSR(Individual Battle Shooting Range), Pairs CQB (Close-quarter Battle)and a pistol range amongst others with the consensus being that theweekend was both informative and enjoyable for all those who tookpart. It is encouraging to see the levels of attendance both on Tuesdaynight training and weekends beginning to increase. This has been inno small part due to the hard work put in by the Company recruitingteam which has been successfully led by Sgt Aitcheson. There is anencouraging flow of new recruits both in Maryhill and Motherwellwhich should lay a solid foundation on which to grow the Companyin 2008. Indeed in the new year there will be more of an emphasisplaced on Company rather than Battalion weekends, which shouldbe of benefit to C Company as there are many young JNCOs eager touse their experience and qualifications gained throughout this year totrain the newer members of the Company.There have been six members of the Company deployed onoperations this year, all of whom are currently with the composite 6SCOTS Force Protection Platoon working out of Kabul, Afghanistan.The high intensity of training they received before deployment willonly help the Company to train towards future deployments and wewish them well with the remainder of their tour.In all it has been a busy but successful year for C Company and welook forward to building on our successes and progressing forwardthrough quality training in 2008.HQ COMPANYQM: Major J R StevensonQM(V): Captain A McInallyMTO(V): Captain G McIntoshCSM: WO2 A LiddellWell the time has come again to give an update on what theCompany has been up to during the year. We have had a mixedbag of fortunes over the piece with people coming and going anda very successful ATD at Warcop Camp where the main effort wasplaced on MATTS (Annual Training Tests) training. We are nowlooking forward to the new year and to participating in the TA100celebrations and supporting Summer Challenge 08.Coy HQWelcome to CSgt Geordie Murray who has been posted in from 2SCOTS as PSI to replace CSgt Terry Young who went in the oppositedirection to help prepare for the forthcoming 2 SCOTS deployment.The only thing they seem to have in common is the support of apub team from Govan. Sadly we’ve had to say farewell to CSM JimCavanagh who has decided to hang up his webbing after 25 years ofsterling service to concentrate on his business. We wish Jim and hisfamily all the very best for the future and welcome CSM Alex Liddellwho replaces him.QuartermasterThe new QM Major John Stevenson has now got his feet firmly underthe table after replacing Major Jocky Frew at the beginning of theyear. Our thanks go to Jocky for the assistance and guidance duringhis term. The period has been extremely busy for the Departmentnow with the issue of the new tribal uniforms. Just as well the QMcame from 3 SCOTS or some of us quite possibly could have beenmarching down George Square with our kilts at our ankles duringArmistice Parade. Farewell to Cpl Jenny Wren who has decided togo back to A Coy. Jenny was a stalwart with the Department and thatmantle now falls to Penfold. We now look forward to the challengesahead such as the transition between Bowman and Clansman andSummer Challenge 08 at Cameron Barracks.SignalsFarewell to Captain Torquill Corkerton who has been posted toRTC and has left the RSWO WO2 Alec Collins at the helm – just intime for the delivery of the Bowman kit. Well done to Alec and SgtLiam Seaton who both have been successfully ‘bowmanised’ at theirrespective courses and welcome to L/Cpl Olivant who has just beenposted in from 32 Signals Regiment.Motor TransportThe MTWO (affectionately known as ‘sick-note’) has continuedto steady the ship and ensure the Battalion is able to get from A toB with minimum fuss. Well done to Pte Abbess who continues tojump out of perfectly good aeroplanes with the Golden Lions and hisaward of the VRSM.Catering PlatoonA big well done to the Master Chef and his Platoon during ATDwhere they had a chance to provide their culinary skills to theOfficers’ and WOs’ and Sgts’ Messes and remind us of what feedingwas like prior to the introduction of contract catering/ PAYD.The service was outstanding and would have put many a top-classrestaurant to shame as the MO will testify – who not only nevermissed a meal but never missed a choice of courses despitebeing built like the gable end of a pound note. We have at last achallenger to the Training Major as the eating champion of theBattalion. Once again we have to bid our good-byes to Cpl BobbyCarroll who has retired after 27 years service at the grand old ageof 60. He hasn’t quite hung up his ladle yet while he continues toburn the beans with the Glasgow and Lanark Battalion ACF. Allthe best for the future Bobby and here’s to another 27 years.Medical SectionA couple of big well done’s here. Firstly to the ‘Doc’, CaptainJames Harper, for completing P Coy (Parachute SelectionCompany) and to Cpl Pearl McAllister who was presentedwith her Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate at the City Chambers.Pearl continues to look after the female weans with the CCF atGarelochhead and 2 SCOTS RST (Regimental Support Team).Keep up the good work. (See also the Colour Section.)54 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

The Royal Highland Fusiliersof Canada2007 was a busy year for the Royal Highland Fusiliersof Canada. Lieutenant Colonel Richard Peters CDreturned to his CO duties in April following a sevenmonthduty tour in Afghanistan. On October 4th, DCOMajor Charles Fitton CD was promoted Lieutenant Colonelto succeed Lt Col Peters who was assigned new duties atLand Forces Central Area Headquarters in Toronto.Two members of the RHFC, Corporals Rodney Grubb andRyan Pagnacco were awarded Wound Stripes followingcombat injuries sustained in Afghanistan. They have sincereturned to Canada and the unit. Fifteen unit membersserved in Afghanistan during 2007. Currently there is awaiting list of 68 unit members who have volunteered forduty in Afghanistan. Fifteen were recently accepted andare undergoing specialised training with regular force unitsbefore their scheduled deployment in 2008. Several RHFCmembers are employed as trainers at Canadian ManoeuvresTraining Centre (CMTC) Wainright, Alberta.Major Paul Hale CD has succeeded Lt Col Fitton asDCO. Major Hale has extensive operational and overseasexperience, including Afghanistan. He recently retired froma thirty-year career with the Princess Patricia’s CanadianLight Infantry (PPCLI). Also joining us in 2007 as fulltimeOperations Officer was Major Paul Pickering a formerArtillery Officer and Afghanistan veteran. Majors DesmondDonovan and Jarrett McDonald continue in their roles ascompany commanders.RSM Mark Adam, and the Drum Major, Sgt Eric Ferguson,are training for positions in Afghanistan as Civilian MilitaryCooperation (CIMIC) officers.Regimental strength now is an impressive 195 soldiers.Eleven members are in the process of transferring to theRegular Force.In January 2007 the Regiment began their training yearwith winter exercises in Ayr, Ontario. Operations includedroad blocks, foot and vehicle patrols, and establishingforward operating bases. Throughout the year, the Regimentcarried on with Individual Battle Task Standards (IBTS),covering field craft, weapons handling, vehicle and minerecognition, and navigation. Between January and June theunit was well represented in a mix of brigade and unit levelexercises. During the summer members participated in anumber of national training courses culminating in Augustwith a brigade exercise in Wainright, Alberta. In Septemberthe unit took part in company level tactical exercises atArea Training Centre Meaford, Ontario. Activities inOctober and November included live fire exercises withsupport weapons including the C7 rifle, C6 mediummachine Gun, C9 Light Machine Gun, 84mm Carl Gustavrocket launcher, hand grenade, and 9mm Browning pistol.Cpl Swietlick firing C7 Rifle Winona Range Ontario.On November 11th the Regiment, including its Pipes andDrums, participated in the Remembrance Day parade andceremonies in Cambridge, Ontario.The highlight of the year was the first visit by our Colonelin-ChiefHis Royal Highness Prince Andrew The Dukeof York KG KCVO. During two memorable days in earlyMay Prince Andrew toured company training facilities inKitchener, dined with the Regimental Council, Officers andsenior NCOs, participated in a Freedom of the City Paradefor the unit in Cambridge, Ontario and lunched with theMayor, regional Police Chief and unit officers. His RoyalHighness also devoted time to meet all ranks and sit forgroup photos. The evening of his departure Prince Andrewwas guest of honour at a Regimental Ball attended by morethan 300 unit members, spouses and municipal leaders.2Lt Reiner 9mm pistol November 07 Meaford Ontario.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 55

1st Battalion Royal New ZealandInfantry RegimentCommanding Officer: Lt Col J G Howard MNZMRegimental Sergeant Major: WO1 A H Wright2007 proved to be a challenging year for all members of TheFirst Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, bothoperationally abroad and at home in New Zealand. Thisyear we have seen the return to New Zealand from operations,three contingents of our soldiers from three separate theatres ofoperations, Afghanistan (CRIB 9), Timor Leste (Victor Company)and the Solomon Islands (Support Company). This was asubstantial contribution for the Battalion to undertake.With the commitments to overseas operations, WhiskeyCompany undertook the commencement of build up trainingto achieve Cavalry D-LOC through a series of progressivecombined exercises, culminating in Wolf Three. Throughoutthe month of October, utilising the RNZAF’s 3rd and 5thSquadrons and the RNZN’s latest capability the Multi RoleVessel (HMNZMS CANTERBURY), Whiskey Companytravelled the length of the North Island being put through itspaces and continuing to develop our NZ Cavalry.In the first week of August this year 1RNZIR celebrated its50th birthday. There were some 2000+ ex-members of 1RNZIRand their families who closed in on Wellington Lines fromfar and wide to help celebrate the event. They were joined bymembers of affiliated Battalions including members from theRoyal Highland Fusiliers, Singapore Commando Battalion andthe Royal Australian Infantry Regiment to name but a few. Thefestivities were kicked off by a traditional welcome (Powhiri) andthe Battalion challenging its friends and extended family withthe new Cavalry Haka, followed by an open day. The currentserving members of 1RNZIR then paraded in that late afternoonbattling the adverse weather conditions, a proving testament that‘regardless of weather season or terrain’ is still alive with the newCavalry unit. The Battalion then moved into the LAV hangersfor the function, which is definitely a memorable event for bothcurrent and previous serving members of 1RNZIR.With 2008 quickly approaching 1RNZIR is preparing foranother busy year with us sending our troops back intoAfghanistan on the 12th and 13th rotation of TG CRIB. Themajority of the troops will be drawn from Whiskey Company.Victor Company will commence its training to achieve NZ CAVD-LOC through a series of similar exercises to what WhiskeyCompany developed this year. This will be a second tour toAfghanistan for some of these soldiers.We extend our warmest welcome to any member of your unitvisiting New Zealand to call in and see us.1 RNZIR Colours being marched on to the 50th Birthday Parade by NZLAV.56 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

Officer Training CorpsGLASGOW AND STRATHCLYDE UOTCCJUO Duncan FraserThe affiliation Glasgow and Strathclyde UOTC has with 2SCOTS dates back to February 1909 when the GlasgowContingent of the OTC was formed. Its first Adjutantwas Captain A N E Browne, a Highland Light Infantry Officerwho, despite having only one arm, steered the OTC through itsfledgling years.The Mackenzie HLI tartan continues to be worn by the Cadets,with the Red Erskine Tartan of the Royal Highland Fusiliersbeing worn by the female Cadets of the Highland Dance Troop.The Pipes and Drums proudly wear HLI plaid brooches, andone form of headdress for Cadets is the rifle-green Glengarry aswas worn by the HLI (and the Cameronians).Yet, despite the fact that this OTC is heading towards its Centenary,it had never deployed abroad for its Annual Summer Camp – notuntil June 2007. It was then that the Unit travelled to the Continent– for its first deployment in France since 1945!Departing from Glasgow on June the 6th we were all too awareof the fact we would not be seeing our barracks for a good fewdays. However, entertainment from the Corps Highland DanceTroop as well as the Pipes and Drums relieved the agony of thelong ferry ride to the Continent, as well as a few beers!En route to our barracks we visited the famous battlefields of theYpres Salient, the Somme, and Waterloo. Time was also given toa visit at the Commonwealth cemetery Tynecot. The Unit alsohad a contemplative day at the Menin Gate, where we all paidour respects whilst reading the many thousands of names listed.The day ended with an impressive Ceilidh in the town centrewhich was enjoyed by all, even some of the locals!We were no sooner in barracks when we headed to FortPenthievre, a beautiful eighteenth-century fort, and also atraining base for the French marines. The Unit was then luckyenough to attempt the challenges of the Confidence Course aswell as find time for a barbeque and a night on the beach.All Officer Cadets were granted a day out in the seaside town ofQuiberon before happily deploying into the field. The exercisewas a tough and arduous four days. It saw the usual reccepatrols, as well as a Corps river crossing which was a memorableexperience for many. The FTX culminated in a loud andthrilling Company-level attack on a village complex, with twoHours-of-darkness Briefing.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 57

of the band piping the troops in and the rest of the Pipes andDrums acting as the enemy.Having survived the worst we headed back to barracks forthe annual Corps Regimental black tie dinner. The followingmorning camp was handed over and we headed home withanother long and memorable night ahead on the ferry (whichmany of the PSIs and Staff will not forget for a long time!)The Pipes and Drums.Lone piper.About to become entangled?58 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

Army Cadet ForceWEST LOWLAND BATTALIONAnnual Camp 2007The Battalion had the 2007 Annual Camp in Warcop in July. Onceagain a very successful cadres camp was held even though theweather was a major factor – we had wet weather for around five daysout of the fourteen that we were there. However, this did not dampenthe morale or the enthusiasm that all members of the Battalionshowed during this very important piece of our busy calendar.Ayr Detachment RHF were the proud winners of the Commandant’sBanner which is presented on the first day of each annual camp andthat detachment marches on to the Battalion muster every morningwith the Banner showing to the rest of the Battalion.Delta Company won the Lucas Tooth Competition at camp whichconsisted of Tug of War, Drill, Military Skills, Orienteering,Shooting and Sports. Delta Coy are from Ayr and surroundingvillages, predominately wear the hackle of 2 SCOTS and are thelargest contingent in the Battalion affiliated to 2 SCOTS.Lapland 07Once again the Battalion sent 12 cadets and 3 instructors on theRoyal Star and Garter cadet challenge expedition (which involvesa 100 kilometres trek across Finland into the Arctic Circle) toraise money for The Royal Star and Garter home for ex-servicepersonnel. Again this year they were joined on this challenge bySimon Weston.Belgium 07Two trips were undertaken this year by the Battalion. Firstwas the annual trip of the cadets taking part in cultural toursof the battlefields and war cemeteries with a parade andwreath-laying at the Menin Gate in Ypres.The second visit was by the Battalion’s Pipes and Drums whoplayed at the ‘Dou Dou’ Tattoo as part of the Mons Music Festivalweek in June 07West Lowland BnOf the 32 detachments within the Battalion 6 are affiliated to 2Scots (RHF) with the latest addition being Stewarton Detachmentwhich was successfully raised last year in East Ayrshire. (See alsothe Colour Section.)B (RHF) COMPANY, GLASGOW ANDLANARKSHIRE BATTALION 2007OC: Major John Robertson21C: Capt Derek CoulterCAAs: Lt Alan Liddell, SMI Dinger BellA Platoon RHF King’s Park OC: WSI Lisa HayInstructor: SI Daniel DunlopB Platoon RHF Cambuslang OC: AUO Jenny LakeInstructor: PI Paul FaganC Platoon RHF Easterhouse OC: SI Ricky RalstonInstructor: SI Robert BlackD Platoon RHF Pollockshaws OC: 2Lt Bernie SweeneyInstructors: SI Robert Campbell,WSI Heather Robertson,WSI Daisy SeymourE Platoon RHF Beardmore OC: AUO Billy LanniganInstructors: SI John Swan,WSI Sarah CollingwoodF Platoon RHF Maryhill OC: SSI Raymond BellInstructors: SI Ricky Thompson,WSI Claire WilsonCadet Shaun Nelson with the Pendant that goes to the winningDetachment in the Banner Competition.The year started of with A Platoon RHF King’s Parkretaining the Lean cup, with E Platoon RHF Beardmorerunners up. Our Battalion Easter Camp was spent atGarelochead, during which a good mixture of training wasundertaken. The Company all pulled together at the Tugof War Competition, resulting in a clean sweep: 1st E PlRHF Beardmore, 2nd A Pl RHF King’s Park, 3rd D PlRHF Pollockshaws and 4th F Pl RHF Maryhill. In Augustthe Company team became Scottish Tug of War Champions.The Company 5-a-side winners were: boys D Pl RHFPollockshaws and girls F Pl RHF Maryhill.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 59

The Scottish Tug of War Champions.B Coy cadets got an interesting invitation in May, to take part inExercise Executive Stretch down at Kirkcudbright. Some of thestands involved abseiling, demolitions, signals, driving, shooting,command tasks and first aid, an all-round challenging weekend towhich the cadets hope they will be re-invited.May also saw cadets participate in a triathlon involving raft-building,orienteering and mountain biking at Strathclyde Park to raise fundsfor Click Sergeant Cancer Charity. The cadets raised £431.The ACFA Scottish Athletics Championship at Grangemouth sawthe Company pick up 26 medals in total, 11 gold, 8 silver and 7bronze – which helped the Battalion to win 7 of the 8 trophies.Annual Camp was a return to Swynnerton. The weather again thisyear had a detrimental effect on training. The amount of rain thatfell resulted in the range-work being cancelled as the sand in the stopbutts had washed away. Our girls’ team won the Bn hockey; A PlRHF King’s Park won the girls’ 5-a-sides and E Pl RHF Beardmorethe orienteering. During the first week of camp WSI HeatherRobertson and WSI Daisy Seymour, both D Pl RHF Pollockshaws,successfully completed their ITC Course. The excellent trainingarea was put to good use with a cracking 48hr F/X centred on theunderground bunker. This allowed for a wide range of recce patrols,fighting patrols and ambushes to be mounted. C/Sgt Keighley Doyle,F Pl Maryhill, gained more successes by being awarded the Campbellbutton stick, from Lt/Col Downie, which goes to the best-turned outCadet during the Cadet Commandant’s parade.The winning girls’ team.One of the new Training activities at Annual Camp wasPipes and Drums training. The cadets showed a lot ofinterest in the sessions being run, which hopefully willbare fruit with the band taking off. A trip to Alton Towersis always a good finale to Camp with Cadets of all agesenjoying the trip.Annual Camp 2007 was Col Kelly’s last camp as CadetCommandant. To bid farewell all the cadets formed up on bothsides of the road out of camp. Col Kelly was then pulled outthe camp gate in an old Landrover by the Battalion’s Officersand Adult Instructors.In September at very short notice (5 days) the Coy providedthe Bn team for the 51 Brigade Military Skills Competition.Even with little or no practise the cadets put in a fine effort,with some good results at some of the stands, especially inthe patrol lane where they were placed 1st. The team overallwere placed 7th which, against some very good teams, was animpressive result.In October Cpl Michael Manley, LCpl Christopher King, A PlRHF, King’s Park and LCpl Danya Adams F Pl RHF, Maryhilltook part in the bi-annual Canadian exchange 2007. Our Battalionvisited Canada for two weeks, Vancouver being the destination.The host unit, The Cameron Highlanders, laid on a brilliantprogramme which saw our Cadets taking part in Cadet trainingCanadian style. The different methods and types of trainingCdt Anderson abseiling. The Stretcher Race. Alton Towers, here we come!60 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

Col Kelly being “pulled out”.certainly encouraged great light-hearted debate. Some of thehighlights were the F/X – the low point the rations during the F/X(bring out the compo). The surrounding countryside was a perfectsetting for adventure training, canoeing, mountain biking, horseriding and hiking, activities all greatly enjoyed. A visit to a nativeIndian longhouse proved to be an interesting experience. Just beingable to see at first hand their culture encouraged more late nightdebate. All too soon the trip was over, but it won’t be long untiltheir new-found friends visit here (March 2008).Some other highlights: the street collection in Glasgowduring November was one. B Coy Cadets helped to collect themagnificent total of £15,000 for the Earl Haig Poppy Fund.Other Charity collections raised £555 for the Special Olympicsand £798 for Cash for Kids. WSI Claire Wilson successfullycompleted her BETC Diploma. CSgt Paul McBride won theCompany Marksmanship trophy, which is presented to the bestscore in the Cadet 100 Small-bore Competition. A Pl RHF King’sPark won the Company March and Shoot shield.The Halloween party at King’s Park saw some veryimaginative costumes.There was also the presentation of national sports colours tothe Company Cadets who represented Scotland during thepast year.2007 was another good year for B Company. Well done, all mycadets. To all the Officers and Adult Instructors, thanks for allyour often unsung hard work. I would like to wish you all the bestfor the coming year. (See also the Colour Section.)LCpl Neil Davidsonselling poppies.Cpl Manley receives the Company Marchand Shoot Shield.The Halloween Party.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 61

Home Headquarters NotesRegimental Secretary: Colonel (Retd) R L Steele TD DLAssistant Regimental Secretary: Captain (Retd) K Gurung MBEEditor: Major (Retd) A L MackRegimental Benevolent Association: Major (Retd) A D KenyonThis has been another busy and eventful year for our smallteam here at 518 Sauchiehall Street – Kamal, Liz, Sandy,Maureen, Stewart, David, Ken and Major Ken Kenyoncontinue to supply the answers.I am particularly grateful to all of them and our volunteers fortheir hard work and good humour, in particular, to Alastair Mackfor his unstinting and meticulous attention to detail in editingthis journal.The highlight of my year was, undoubtedly my visit in August to the50th Anniversary celebration of our sister regiment the Royal NewZealand Infantry Regiment accompanied by Lts David Morgan andGordon Muir from the Battalion.It was a splendid few days and we were royally entertained andhosted by the honorary Colonel, General Sir John Mace, theCommanding Officer Lt Colonel John Howard, Lieutenant “Biscuit“Nicolson, who was brought up in the West of Scotland, and a host ofothers to numerous to mention.The ceremonial was most impressive and started with thetraditional HAKKA, led for the first time by the CommandingOfficer, and the rest of our visit alternated between a mixture ofceremonial and social events.We were made to feel most welcome and the three of us will longremember the hospitality and friendship we were shown throughout ourstay. The RNZIR were most impressiveon parade and certainly know how tothrow a party.Our links with Ayrshire have not been neglected and I was invitedto attend the unveiling ceremony of the memorial to the Russiandestroyer Varygar at Lendalfoot as a guest of the South AyrshireCouncil and the Russian Navy.Other highlights of the year were attending the blessing of theBranch Standard in Inverness and the annual RemembranceParade in George Square. Both ceremonies were well supported byour veterans. It is good to see that throughout Scotland Branchesof the Veterans Association are thriving and we continue tosupport our less able veterans with visits to Erskine and the RoyalHospital at Chelsea.Once again I am asking for volunteers to help run the Museum andopen it at weekends. No matter how little time you are able to givewill be much appreciated. Anyone interested please give me a shout.Home Headquarters has had another successful year on theentertainment front and we have entertained parties from RBLS andKentigern House as well as regular gatherings of the old and boldand of course our regular fortnightly Luncheon Club. In this regard Iam most grateful to Alex McDivitt for his excellent supportPlease keep your eye on our website for forthcoming events andsupport as many of them as you can throughout the year. It’s alwaysgood to see old friends.Before closing I must record my grateful thanks to Willie Shaw forhis unfailing support and advice and to Ron Milne for his valuableassistance with the accounts. Between them they’ve kept me out ofthe “jail”.Finally best wishes and good fortune to everyone for 2008.Most memorable for me was beinginvited to march with the Battalionalongside the Honorary Colonel to theCenotaph for a Commemorative Servicein Palmerston North.The alliance between the RHF andthe RNZIR was forged in the heatof Singapore in 1973 and long maywe continue to maintain our linkswith them.This year we have managed tostrengthen our ties with GlasgowCathedral. The Battalion’s Colourswere marched in as part of theCommemoration of the Battle of theSomme in July and in August weprovided the Guard of Honour for theunveiling of the Memorial to Glasgow’sVCs in the Cathedral grounds.A gathering of Veterans and guests in Dec 07 (organised by Alec McDivitt and attended by the Regimental Secretary).(Prize for spotting the latter?)62 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

ArticlesA DEPOT DIARY (Part Two)(The extracts from this shown here are again adapted from what werevarious writings by a Platoon Commander who served in the HLIDepot at Maryhill from 1956 to 1957.)Range WorkMost of this, using both the No 4 Rifle (the .303 calibre “ShortMagazine Lee-Enfield” as used in the Second War) and the “BrenGun” (a .303 Light Machine Gun invented by the Czechs at Brnobefore Hitler’s take-overs of Czechoslovakia in 1938 and 1939) tookplace at Dechmont, a scant ten miles from the Depot. In thosedays Dechmont had usable ranges of various lengths, a 500-yardrange, another of 300 and a very convenient 100-yard range (aswell as one of 600-plus. (We didn’t use the latter until much later– when we were expending our very last issue of stream-lined .303via the about-to-be abandoned Vickers Medium Machine gun)(the GPMG was “replacing” it).The recruits started on the 100-yard range, both to zero theirrifles and to be familiarised with live-firing the Bren – andthe 100-yard range was very “convenient”. At only 100 yardsand with no “butts” there was no need for telephones. Just aswell. Dechmont’s ’phones seldom worked. (When we were onlonger ranges it was advisable to bring our own telephones – andDRUMS of cable.) (We preferred this ancient method to wirelesssets; one didn’t have to perpetually wear ear-phones and also cartthe set about.)When zeroing, each recruit would fire his two statutory“warmers” and then a (carefully-coached) five-round group.Next the detail would walk forward to the targets and we wouldaccompany it to “assess” its groups. This wasn’t difficult.Although having emerged from the Musketry School at Hythewith only a C-grade, we still remembered what had beenhammered into us there. The tune was “Dirty Stinking CMPs”or “DSCMP”. The “D” was what declarations each firer hadmade to his coach (“I’ve just pulled that one, Corporal”), the“S” was for “size of group” (four-inch or eight-inch etc) and the“C” was a subtle point. It was “size of group” for COACHINGpurposes! In other words, “Private Macdonald, IF you hadn’tpulled that shot, you’d have had a 4-inch group! Well done!”The “M” was the vital part. It was for “mean point of impact”or “MPI”. We’d know from it how Macdonald’s sights neededto be altered to bring his “MPI” to the traditional four inchesabove the middle of the bull (and therefore slap-on at 200 yards).“P” was even more subtle. If the five holes in the target wereevenly distributed (not, let’s say, three reasonably close togetherand two perhaps equally close to each other but noticeablyelsewhere), we’d say to Macdonald, “A nice even pattern. Youhave it in you to become a marksman!”So on we went, eventually getting the recruits “classified” at 200and 300 yards. Luckily, our first Training Company Commanderat the Depot, Jock Hawley (Major F J Hawley) had decided thatwe weren’t completely incompetent and so just let us get on withour job. But his (much-decorated) successor!The latter either speedily deduced that our skills weren’t up tomuch or was less inclined to direct operations from behind adesk (or both). Whatever, one day he came out to Dechmont– to find us on the zeroing range. The detail had just fired theirgroups, we had just (most punctiliously) assessed each group andevery recruit in the detail had “pasted up”. But the CompanyCommander had arrived.Being a soldier of considerable military skill he had a fair ideaof what had just taken place – but he wasn’t satisfied. “I don’tsuppose you’ve done that properly,” he cried. “Do it again!”“Gentlemen,” we said to the detail, “please remove the patchesyou’ve just put on [to cover the shot-holes in the targets] and I’ll comeround again.”So we did (and behind us Sergeant McLeary murmured, “Don’tworry, Sir. He was always like this back in the Battalion.”)(Sergeant McLeary was, like most of the cream of the DepotStaff, an old 2 HLI man and therefore well knew the CompanyCommander and his moods.)But the battle wasn’t over. Not long afterwards we were out withour latest recruit platoon on the zeroing range, this time firingLMGs. Yet again the Company Commander appeared, and thistime he said, “You’re doing it all wrong! THAT’S NOT THEPROPER BREN GUN DRILL!” This baffled us for a bit – but inthose days our memory wasn’t entirely deficient. The then currentBren pamphlet had been issued in (we think) 1948 but before itsissue our school CCF had been using the old one (and went ondoing so for another year or two). Although it was now 1957, wecould still remember the old (pre-1948) drill. “That might do,”we thought. “Gentlemen,” we called out to the detail, “when Iorder ‘load’ do NOT raise the butt into your shoulder. Leave iton the ground.” We shouted out “Load”, our intelligent recruitsobeyed the latest instructions to the letter – and the CompanyCommander said, “NOW you’re doing it properly!”We also occasionally used the 30-yard range in Barracks butusually for only one or two forty-minute periods at a time. Timewas tight and speed was essential – with either NAAFI Breakor lunch-time just round the corner. So, when clearing up at theperiod’s end, we or Sergeant McLeary might say, “Last one off thefiring-point gets thrown in the river” (the range was just besidethe Kelvin). Then the two of us would walk up from the range,leaving the Platoon Corporals to see to the clearing up and chasethe recruits to join us. But sometimes …..!As we stood there waiting we might hear a loud cheer followedby a splash. Although neither of us would have entirely meantour dire threat (or would have forgotten about it), the recruitswould usually grab the slowest of their fellows and cast him intothe Kelvin.But one day, instead of walking up from the range we werestanding at the river’s edge and for some reason were lookingpensively at the flowing water. No threats had been made on thisoccasion but the clearing-up had been remarkably fast. When weturned round to see, not only all was done but the Platoon, whichwas a very enthusiastic bunch, had formed up behind me. “Canwe cross the river, Sir?” they begged. “Why not?” we thought andwithout further thought stepped into the water – with the Platoonfollowing us.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 63

We didn’t complete our mission. By the time we were halfwayacross we were waist-deep (with our kilt floating around us),the current in the middle of the river was a little stronger thanwe’d anticipated and we began to have a strong suspicion thatthe river would get deeper before it got shallower. “Sorry,” wesaid. “We’d better turn back.” There were a few disappointedgroans – but no requests to continue. Time was as tight asever and it was only twenty minutes to lunch-time. (We didn’tattempt that crossing again.)TsOETsTests of Elementary Training had always fascinated us and sowhether or not TsOETs were a part of Basic Training (we can’tremember) we decided to get them going.Time, in a ten-week recruit course, was quite tight (and our beliefin field-firing AND passing out in both quick and slow time madeit even tighter) – but we had a solution! “EXTRA training in theevenings,” we said. This didn’t impress Sergeant McLeary. “Sir,you won’t want me?” he said.So we didn’t. The Platoon was quite keen (being too underpaidfor more than the odd half-pint after work) and whichever ofthe Corporals had volunteered (or been volunteered) for dutydidn’t seem to mind. The methods used are best explained by anexample, the sequence of actions for “With five rounds LOAD!”First the safety catch was thumbed forward, then the bolt wasopened, a clip of five rounds pulled out from an ammunitionpouch and inserted into the magazine, and the bolt closed (etc).So we’d say, “Thumb on the safety catch! Stop!” “Thumb onthe safety catch and push! Stop!” “Thumb on the safety catch,push and fingers round the bolt! Stop! … [ETC]”. Using thiskind of “Time and Motion Study” the recruits soon learned howto load (or unload, etc) their weapons automatically and withoutunnecessary movementsThe result was that in their TsOETs a fair proportion of recruitsgained “Skilled”, most of the rest reached “Above Average”, veryfew were just “Average” AND NONE “FAILED”! It was (for us atleast) great fun – AND there were no complaints.But the paperwork afterwards! We had got Sandy Ingram (ourAdjutant) to get a TsOETs rubber stamp made, it very soon reachedus and we applied it to every tested recruit’s Pay Book. But did this“Time and Motion” have long-term effects? We don’t quite know.Not long after we got back to Battalion we took part in a ratherconquering attack on A Coy (which was then commanded bythe then-Major David (D I) Mackenzie). Halfway through it ourbonnet was blown off by a rather closely-discharged blank round.“Who on earth taught you safety procedures?” we asked (oncewe’d woken up). “You did, Sir,” the perpetrator said.ENCORE À NORMANDIECaptain I A Munro MCI paid two visits to the 1944 battlefields in Calvados in June 2007.The first occasion was a tour with the Normandy Veterans NewForest Branch No 70, from 3rd to 7th June, consisting of Veteransplus companions, arranged by Tony Watts of Poole and includingthe Mayor’s Cadet from Poole (Naval), Keith Mist, who was a verysmart Standard Bearer.We embarked at 1230 hrs from Poole on Sunday 3rd and after avery pleasant voyage to Cherbourg travelled to Bayeux, with onlya short stop at St Mere Eglise where John Steel the Americanparachutist was suspended on “D” Day 1944 from the churchtower and survived. There is still a dummy hanging by parachutefrom the tower and a very fine US Airborne Museum has turnedthe little town into a “must” for all visitors. Our hotel Campanileat Bayeux proved very comfortable with a view across watermeadows to the magnificent Cathedral.On Monday we went to Arromanches (Gold Beach), where wevisited the Museum and saw the surviving caissons of MulberryHarbour, so vital in 1944 as the artificial port through whichthe Allies were supplied with all supplies and reinforcementuntil Antwerp in Belgium fell in late autumn. (Cherbourg wascaptured in late June, but had been wrecked by the Germans).Inland at Cruelly, after laying a wreath at the Royal DragoonGuards’ Memorial, we visited the Chateau, which was theFrench wartime HQ of the BBC, and were joined for lunch bythe charming French Admiral Christian Brac de la Perrierewho in 2004 originated the Normandie Memoire Badges for allveterans. We are proud to wear these on our right lapels. Aftervisiting the Chateau de Fontaine-Henry (a German HQ whichfell to the Canadians without a fight) we reached Courseulles onJuno Beach where the Canadians landed and where the excellentCanadian Museum is situated. In the shape of a Maple Leaf, it iscompact but very interesting, with excellent artefacts and helpfulyoung staff.On Tuesday we had time to visit Bayeux before travelling toChef-du-Pont near St Mere Eglise to attend a French ceremonyof their liberation. A large number of American vehicles andpeople in uniform were present but, apart from one genuineveteran, they all turned out to be young French men and womendressed up!The ceremony was rather long drawn out, but the seniorFrenchman did welcome the presence of British veterans, andafterwards our excellent lady coach driver from Sea View Coachessuccessfully negotiated a very difficult manoeuvre to bring usinto the very narrow gate, flanked by ditches, into the long driveof another beautiful Chateau, which had also been a German HQ.It was Chateau Le Plein Marais, the home of Count Jean andCountess d’Aigneaux. After a warm welcome he showed ushis family tree and mentioned that he had Scottish relations.“Not Agnew?” I asked and was delighted to find out that hewas indeed related to that great Scottish family with sucha distinguished record in the 21st Foot which became myRegiment, The Royal Scots Fusiliers!Lieutenant Colonel Sir Andrew Agnew of Lochnaw, whocommanded the 21st at the Battle of Dettingen, is famous forhis order at that battle, “Dinna fire till ye see the whites of theireen!”. (Since then British Infantry have always held their fireuntil the enemy was close enough for the subsequent volleys to64 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

have a truly devastating effect.) My Company Commander,Major Andrew Agnew, a direct descendant, was the firstOfficer of the 6th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers to be killedin our first engagement on 26th June 1944. This was with thefanatical 12th SS (Hitler Youth Division) at Saint Manvieuat the start of “Operation Epsom”, which culminated in thecapture of “The Scottish Corridor” (a six-mile salient into sixSS divisions) and the capture of two bridges over the RiverOdon by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Andrewwas very popular and a great loss. This action resulted in theholding up of the six SS divisions and preventing them fromgetting to General Roosevelt and the Americans who wereadvancing from Utah Beach.It was now raining so a planned picnic had to be moved intothe nearby village hall. Here we were fortunate, as Count Jeanis the Maire! A very happy lunch with plenty of good wine wasfollowed by a pre-arranged visit to St Mere Eglise Museum andthen our return to Bayeux. That evening we were supposed toattend a special event at Longues-sur-Mer, but the traffic jamwas unbelievable and the car parks looked very full, even from adistance. Instead we went on to Port-en-Bessin, at the Western endof Gold Beach, a fishing port captured by Royal Marines, where weenjoyed a special drink on Tony Watts in a dockside bar.On “D” Day 6th June our main party attended the Anglo-Frenchofficial military ceremony by the Norman Fortress at Caen,where the smartness and bearing of British Regulars was a sightfor sore eyes.I went instead as one of our representatives to Bayeux Cathedral,a most magnificent building, to attend a British Legion Service ofRemembrance, with the Band of the Parachute Regiment makingthe most of the perfect acoustics. Arranged by the NormandyBranch of the Legion, it was a very moving Service, attended bythe British Ambassador Sir Peter Wheatcroft, top Brass from theParis Embassy and a Brigadier from 3rd Division. Another verywelcome guest was the Head of the Commonwealth War GravesCommission. I was glad of the opportunity to thank him for thewonderful and dedicated gardeners who tend the British WarCemeteries so perfectly. I have met the Frenchman who looksafter 1600 British and 500 German graves without any help. Thelawns and hedges are immaculate, and at this time of year a roseblooms on every grave, so comforting to many visiting relativesand old comrades at St Manvieu, many from our 15th (Scottish)Division. I was accompanied by an ATS veteran, Merville Ridgeon(in Bayeux in 1944), and the former Mayor and Mayoress of Poole,Les and Mary Rose Burden.We then went across to the Hotel de Ville (Town Hall) where wewere welcomed by the Mayor of Bayeux. We were to receive a“Vin d’Honneur” and did – but I must say that I wish we couldhave had a drink before the rather protracted speeches, eloquentas they were. After rejoining our main party for lunch we visitedthe British Commonwealth Cemetery in Bayeux for more wreathlaying and more memories before travelling to Caen for a visit tothe vast Memorial Museum. Very impressive but in the long filmthere is still no mention of the tremendous part our 15th (Scottish)Division played in the Battle of Normandy. The Division engagedthe six SS Divisions opposed to us in the “Bocage” for 3 days,thereby giving General Roosevelt at Utah Beach a chance toestablish the American bridgehead there.On Thursday 7th June we attended the Liberation of BayeuxAnglo-French Ceremony outside the Battle of NormandyMuseum. The Liberation had been 63 years before and, achievedby the Sherwood Rangers and the Essex Regiment, was the firstBritish triumph in capturing a major city. The ceremony was verymoving and was beautifully conducted by a British Padre withappropriate music and ceremonial.The journey home started with a pleasant lunch at St Marie duMont. We were joined by the Mayor of the Town and his wife, butCount Jean was detained by a modern US General and could onlyarrive after lunch.The visit ended with a good crossing and pleasant dinner to Pooleand home.On the 24th June, my old comrade Piper Les Womack and Ireturned to Normandy on the fast ferry. It poured with rain all day,but I was very pleased that Count Jean managed to join us at StMarie du Mont, bringing further proof of his Scottish connections,a book recording the exploits of many members of the Agnewfamily. He was also very near to our battleground in 1944 as asmall boy and has vivid recollections of the German occupation.We stayed at the comfortable Hotel Argouge in Bayeux andalso returned to an excellent restaurant, where I receive a greatwelcome every year. The taxi driver refused to accept our returnfare to our hotel, a nice gesture from a young Frenchman.On Monday we went back to the Canadian Museum atCourseulles, which is my favourite, and Les played a goodselection of pipe tunes outside the Museum. These were wellreceived by staff and visitors.After lunch we motored to our 15th (Scottish) Division Memorialat Tourville, over looking the two bridges over the River Odoncaptured by the Argylls in 1944. It is the most impressivememorial I have seen and carries a “Lion Rampant” at the top, ourDivisional Sign. It also bears the title of every unit in the Division,including Supporting Arms.We decided to cross the Odon over the bridge which was veryclose to the cottage where our Brigadier decided to make his HQ.(His reasons for this were not entirely military; the cottager hadJerusalem artichokes in his garden. A costly exercise it proved as wewere mortared by Nebelwerfers (“Moaning Minnies”) and suffereda number of wounded, before we were withdrawn to a “fortified”farm house, still in shelling range of the Germans.)Les and I drove on to Baron-sur-Odon, a village liberated by6 RSF in 1944. Calling at the Mairie to pay our respects, wewere surrounded by children from the adjoining school, about100 in all. Les played pipe tunes to which the children dancedand clapped and sang their sole English repertoire, “London’sburning”! They did not want us to leave, reminding me of thePied Piper!On Tuesday the 26th (the date of our first engagement with theHitler Youth in 1944), we met Ted Thurston, a sniper with 10HLI, later Royal Military Police, and now Chairman of the NVABranch 70, at St Manvieu cemetery where lie 1600 British and 500German dead.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 65

We laid wreaths while Les played The Flowers of the Forest in thisbeautiful, tranquil place where so many Royal Scots, RSF andHLI lie for ever in peace.Next was our annual commemoration with the people ofCheux of their liberation by the HLI and Royal Scots. It wasenhanced this year by the accidental presence of an EnglishRC padre from a Normandy parish and there was not only a“Vin d’Honneur” but we were again surrounded by schoolchildren. Finally Les and I came back to Cherbourg and apleasant voyage home.Captain Ian Munro MC (6 RSF) and Ted Thurston (10 HLI) at St ManvieuWar Cemetery 26 June 2007.The Normandy people will never forget their freedom whichwe brought to them in 1944. British people must also rememberthe supreme sacrifice and crippling wounds which our soldierssuffered in those long distant times – and which our gallant forcesare still enduring in Iraq and Afghanistan in these troubled days!(See also the inside of the rear cover.)Piper Les Womack (6 RSF) and Ted at St Manvieu War Cemetery.Les Womack at ‘Place de 6th Bn, Royal Scots Fusiliers’ in St Manvieu, where15th (Scottish) fought the 12th SS (Hitler Youth) Division on 26 June 1944.Les Womack by the 15th (Scottish) Division Memorial Tourville-sur-Odon– which overlooks the Odon bridges captured by the Argylls.66 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

ADVENTURES AT OXFORDAnonUp until 1958 the majority of (post-War) Oxfordundergraduates had completed their NationalService in the Regular Army before “coming up”but still had to complete their three years (or whatever)in the TA. To assist this “completion” many were attachedfrom their Territorial regiments to the Oxford UniversityOTC. As very many of the many had been commissioned,there was a considerable superfluity of Officers “in” theOTC.This did change a bit in 1958. From that year onwards Oxfordno longer required its undergraduates to have “done” theirNational Service before their “coming up”. Many of the 1958Intake were straight from school – but not all. There still weremany straight from National Service. There were appointmentsfor some of these in the OTC as Troop or Platoon Commandersbut the great majority were “surplus to establishment” – a total,even in 1958, of over 40.So a suggestion was made to the remarkably tolerant Lt Colwho commanded the OTC that an “Officers’ Platoon” mightbe formed. The CO agreed! The suggester found himself incommand of it.How to employ them? A number of minor exercises andTEWTs took place (all concerned with Nuclear Battle) andalso a fair bit of Voice Procedure training – but one dayhe thought of something else. His “Platoon” could spend ahappy day blowing things up. It would be fun! Unfortunately,someone had hinted that a stick or two of Plastic might beabstracted from the demolition material and be later used toblow open the Trinity Gates (which will remain closed untilthe Stuarts reign again). The hinter hadn’t been serious butno one quite knew when he was indeed joking. News of thehint reached the ears of the Authorities – and they becameslightly perturbed.So the Platoon Commander was summoned by the Adjutant!Although the latter (a very alive Hussar) didn’t accuse thePlatoon Commander of would-be sabotage, he soon founda way to ensure that none could take place. He said, “HaveYOU done an Explosives Course?” “No, Sir. I’ve just usedexplosives – and used them often,” said the Pl Comd. (Hehad. He’d blown blind after blind on various ranges, on oneoccasion even bombarding Robin Thorburn with a deluge of2-inch mortar smoke blinds – and had even successfully blownapart the Garelochhead grenade-range shelter (demolishing itto assist in its rebuilding).) This didn’t suit the Adjutant. Hesaid, “But you’ve a Royal Engineer in your platoon. HE willcommand that day!”On the day itself the Platoon blew up various things – ortried to. Most of the explosives were a bit ancient. If oneuses the regulation requirement – just one primer anddetonator to a block or group of blocks of guncotton – andif the said blocks are Vintage 1946, the result quite oftenis no more than that the block or blocks just disintegrate.Some of the charges laid that day had somehow acquiredextra primers etc and exploded satisfactorily, but most ofthose set up according to the Book of Rules didn’t. They justscattered their fragments, fragments of live explosive, overthe surrounding earth. (This wasn’t the Royal Engineer’sfault. Being a Royal Engineer he had been accustomedto working either with Plastic or with guncotton of morerecent manufacture)“Oh dear,” said the Pl Comd. “If regulation is the order ofthe day, each fragment will have to be blown up in situ!” “Iknow,” said the Royal Engineer, “… but it might be better ifyou went and had a cigarette.” Off went the Pl Comd – butglanced back to see the Sapper arming himself with a broom.He was about to use it to sweep the fragments into piles forsubsequent demolition (in totality).The next bit of the day was even more interesting. It was thedemonstration of a technique quite unknown to both the PlComd and almost all of his heterogeneous Platoon. The objectwas to blow a crater. One uses a boring device to sink a narrowand vertical shaft a few feet deep and then a small cavity isblown at the bottom-end of the shaft. The cavity is then filledwith more explosives, the explosives are then detonated …. and,BOOM, there is a HUGE crater! (There was! On this occasionthe explosives were PLASTIC.)Unfortunately, the crater had been made in a pasture field.A day or two later the Platoon Commander was summonedagain. “Take two men and a boy with picks and shovels, drivedown, and fill in that huge hole you blew!” said the Adjutant.“Oh, come on, Sir,” said the summonee. “If you remember,I was not in command that day! It was the Royal Engineerwhom you appointed!”So the Engineer dealt with the problem. “… two menand a boy with picks and shovels”? He got on to a RoyalEngineers earth-shifting unit (which had given up picksand shovels years ago for bulldozers) and the job was done.The hole needed at least five tons of earth and gravel to fillit. (Or was it fifteen?)Not only had the Pl Comd found the crater-blowingdemonstration very instructive but a little later he found thathe should have been on an explosives course. One day he wastying a Plastic-explosives bandage round a tree to fell it. Therewas an Officer Cadet with him – and suddenly the latter beganto sweat! Quite soon so did he himself. The bandage had beenmade up with a fused primer inserted into Plastic and he waspressing his chest against the bandage to hold it in positionas he tied it. The bit he was pressing against was where thedetonator was!He got the knot tied – and the tree blown down – but thereafterbecame, at last, safety-conscious.However, safety-consciousness can be somewhat expensive.Some years later at Garelochhead he’d been firing 2-inchmortar illuminating bombs (no HE) and there were a fewblinds. As he’d no explosives with him, he went down toFaslane to “borrow” some. He didn’t get any. Instead, aRoyal Navy bomb-disposal team was mobilised to blow the(purely ILLUMINATING) blinds. Luckily they didn’t sendhim the bill.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 67

THE FIGHT AGAINST EOKA (Second and Last Part)Corporal A B Cameron The Highland Light InfantryWith the Xmas promotion to Corporal and forthcomingoverseas allowance to come in Cyprus things werefinancially getting better. Off for Xmas and NewYear at home, goodbye to Bulford, to Captain Oatts who got hisMajority, and to Sgt Wallace who was returning to a rifle companywhen he went to Cyprus. So off with Captain Scobie, Lt Andersonand Sgts Weir and Underwood to Cyprus, January 1956.14th January off to Cyprus with Advance PartyWhile we were atKomi Kebir HQ and BCompanies assisted in theconstruction of the campat Dhavlos. When thecamps were ready (andthe weather improving)we moved on. HQ, B andD Companies were off toField kitchen at Komi Kebir.Dhavlos, Sp Company toBhogas, C. Company to Kantara, and A Company to Mersinniki.The MT Platoon had their work cut out moving equipment andpersonnel about on dirt roads (still in the rainy season). A fewvehicles went over the side but thanks to the skill of the driversthere were no casualties.The author checking equipment at Dhavlos.The author, John Walker, CaptainScobie and John Moore.Life at Dhavlos, once all wasset up, settled into routine. TheBrigade network was establishedusing the new C41 VHFradios, which were generatorpowered. They had great rangeand reception during the daybut were useless during thenight. This was blamed onthe ionosphere. The RadioCode was simple, ie Sunray,Sunray minor, Pronto etc. I doremember some officer askingto “see” some Sunray or other.Quick as a flash he was askedif he thought this was a F-----gtelevision set. He must havebeen pretty senior. Within thehour every on-duty operatorwas questioned, as it wasobviously a Jock voice. But itcould have been the Gordons.The Advance Party.We flew from Blackbush Airport,courtesy of BA. First was a Stopoverat Zug, Malta to refuel – but no visitto Valetta or the Gut for us; we werestraight on to RAF Limassol. Then itwas Golden Sands Leave Camp to checkadvance equipment and collect radiosetc. We then moved temporarily into amakeshift camp at Komi Kebir whilstthe camps were being prepared for us.Under canvas, with the weather wetand miserable and literally in a barrenlandscape, the place turned quicklyinto mud flats. A few times we woke up Lt Col F B B Noblelooking at the sky. The wind had whipped emplaning.the tents away. We were fed out of fieldkitchens and hay boxes; the food was a credit to the cooks. (Onegood thing about the bad conditions was that they did get us afew rum rations.)Dhavlos was probably the best camp. It was off the road in a bay,so we could enjoy daily swimming without travel, unlike theRifle Companies who would need transport to get to a beach.There were constant patrols by B Company (D Coy was the Cadre(Training) Company), each accompanied by one signaller. Asthese were foot patrols it was hard on the signaller as he had thebackpack radio as well as his personal kit and weapon. A toughbunch the signallers. HQ carried on its role which was to coordinatethe Battalion. Although the Battalion was split up, it wasstill one unit.In spite of the constant patrolling, training was still carried onand there were of course drills and guards – as well as the exerciseof military discipline. Sentences were usually loss of pay and weredealt with on detachment by the Company Commanders. I recallonly one serious case requiring Commanding Officer’s Orders.The sentence was 56 days detention which was done at Wayne’sKeep Military Corrective Establishment. Not a very nice place tospend the best part of two months.Signals Platoon continued carrying on under the scrutiny ofCaptain Bill Scobie and Sgts Weir and Underwood who kepteveryone on their toes (Sgt Hopewell had deserted us for B Coy as68 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

CSM). I stayed at HQ, Cpl McDougal went to A Coy, Cpl Stewartto Sp Coy and Cpl Sutherland to C Coy) As we advanced into thesummer and the higher temperatures we changed into shirt-sleeveorder and had the Spanish siesta break from 1pm-5pm – with theexception of the guards, duty signaller and some other essentialpersonnel. We therefore would put this time to our own good useswimming or just lazing about. I remember trying to explain toAlan Muir how a ship could float in practically no water. (Alanwas a compositor and had apparently sold off the two licensedgrocers his father had left him so that he could go see the Heartsevery Saturday. If he is still kicking about he will be over themoon and waiting to book his tickets for Europe.) Life carriedon with general duties until March 56 when the decision to putArchbishop Makarios into exile was made. All units on the Islandwere put on standby in case ofany serious repercussions butthe event just passed over. Thenext major event was a visit byGeneral Harding who was theGovernor of the Island at thattime. You can imagine the bullthat went on for that visit.The Guard for the Governor’s visit.In April I was seconded to C Company to relieve Cpl JimmieSutherland whom I had known very well prior to call-up(and who unfortunately died quite young). Going to a RifleCompany was a different kettle of fish compared with therelaxed haven of HQ Company.Charlie Company at KantaraCharlie Coy was up in the hills,2000 ft above Dhavlos andsituated in a natural spring areawhich had been made into aconcrete-covered reservoir. Thecamp also controlled a fourwayroad junction which couldpresent escape routes in thesedirections. A large taverna satadjacent to the crossroads – butunfortunately this was out ofbounds (more about that later).Bren-gun fixed lines had beenset up which could lay downa beaten zone across the roadjunction.Looking out over Kantara.Shortly after the camp was setup Capt Pender took over fromMajor Hendry (who went toA Coy) and was ably assistedby his officers, Lt Orr and 2ltsCunningham, Boyd, Eekhoutand Borton*. He was more than ably assisted by CSM Shortt(favourite saying, “the barber’s children are starving”) and hisNCOs, Sergeants Adair, Isherwood, Cope, Glencross, Tran,Bluck, McGuire and McLeish, along with various others. TheCSM had a ready-made parade ground on top of the reservoir.He put it to good use.Every detachment had its own small NAAFI which suppliedthe main essentials, toiletries, cigarettes, beer (two bottles anight; if you were a teetotaller you wouldbe very popular), sweets, soft drinks etc.The Company also had Signals and MTdetachments (Battalion-supplied) and alsoone Pay Corps Corporal, one RASC Corporal,one Medical Corps Corporal and one fromthe Army Catering Corps. Usually they wereall excused duties but CSM Shortt likedto remind us that we were with a RifleCompany, not skiving at HQ Company (as ifwe would?). CSM Shortt was an old regularsoldier and when seen without his shirt hadthe most magnificent tigers leaping up on tohis shoulders.Sgt Bluck.Sitting well up in the hills and with littleother than dirt track roads and very rugged CSM Shortt.terrain it’s not difficult toimagine how hard it was onthe troops – especially as weprogressed into the heat ofthe summer. Nevertheless thepatrols went out as regular asclockwork and, as the locationof the camp being so high meantthat the return journey was all Charlie Coy Guard Room.uphill coming back, sometimestransport would pick them up ata pre-arranged time and spot.(One of the terrorist tricks wasto build bombs into the walls ofthe houses and detonate them astroops or vehicles passed by. Asthe streets were so narrow theseThe NAAFI run.could cause major casualtiesif successful.) [The Editor seems to remember that the drill was todismount and pass through the villages on foot. As the dismounted troopswould, whenever possible, be on the other side of the houses adjacent tothe through-road, there were few explosions.]While I was with C Coy a bomb was thrown atthe trucks as they returned from a major sweepup the Panhandle area. It exploded betweentwo of them causing Willie McConologue tolose an arm. The bomber didn’t escape. Hewas shot as he ran, shot by Willie Furey. Williewas afterwards known as “Hawkeye”. Anotherincident occurred when a bomb was tossed onthe back of a truck. Fortunately everyone got Willie Fury ready foroff, no one was hurt and the culprit was caught action.trying to hide in a church. One incident thatparticularly upset us was the pointless killing of an old gentlemanfrom the Church of Scotland who used to call in occasionally to visitus and bring some biscuits etc. He was a great old guy and would notaccept the offers of escorts to his next port of call. These incidentshighlighted the fact that all the training we had gone throughworked. No one panicked, everyone knew how to respond. We weresuccessful, apart from the injury to Willie McConologue, and our* 2Lt Bob Borton, the father of the present 2 SCOTS CO, Lt Col N RM Borton MBE.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 69

successes slowed down the terrorists for a spell. They didn’t takekindly to losses. If they’d known that Hawkeye was aboard one of thetrucks that one of them bombed, perhaps they wouldn’t have tried.Entertainment at Kantara was almost non-existent due to its location.However morale was always good (you can’t keep a good Jock down).There were some good turns; ie we had a Frank Sinatra, a PerryComo and a budding Andy Cameron – and also our share of chancers;but they all helped to keep things together. The highlight of ourentertainment was our tombola, ably run by WO2 Shortt (I think hehad missed his vocation), and there was a film show once a week andswimming trips to the coast at HQ at Dhavlos. I do not remember anyoutside entertainers coming while I was there.One swimming party got stoned going through a village. Iremember it was Sunday. On the way back it got stoned again,only this time the stones seemed to pass over the transport, andhit some locals sitting outside the taverna and breaking a lot ofwindows. Guess who got the blame for that? Other incidents tookplace with injuries but fortunately no more serious incidents.Back to the TavernaThe taverna was some fifty yards from the guardroom at the entranceto the camp and had a landline which could be hooked up with a fieldtelephone and give us a connection to HQ at Dhavlos. One of my dutieswas to check this weekly, which I always did on a Sunday afternoon.I always went by myself, which in hindsight was very stupid; it wasroutine that got a lot of people killed. However I always took the sparevalve box of the C41 radio with me. It comfortably held a half bottleunder the top layer of valves (this was my introduction to Ouzo).This was a secret I kept to myself for over 40 years until I toldWillie Furey one night. He gave me a row for not telling himthen. It helped me through the nights; I always did the nightshifts as I did not do patrols.I really enjoyed my time at C Coy, a great bunch who I had a lot ofgood times with. The sad times were still to come. Once again I wason the move, this time to A Coy at Mersinniki.Able Company. MersinnikiI moved to A Coy in June 56 and stayed withthem until we left on January 4th 57. I wasrelieving Cpl McDougal who returned toDhavlos. A Coy always considered themselvesthe best Company in the Battalion and Imust admit the longer I was with them themore brainwashed I became. I made manygood friends in A Coy which friendshipshave endured to the present day. A Coywas situated at Mersinniki in a ForestryCommission camp. It was in the pass aboveLefkoniko and on a main road to Famagusta.George Ward on guard.Initially commanded by Major Ottewill, with Lt Mack (not to beconfused with Willie Mack the cook) and 2Lts Best and Maclachlanas his Platoon Commanders, the command later changed to MajorHendry and 2Lts Helm and Mason joined the Company. (MajorHendry even eventually acquired a 2IC, Captain Donnelly, the first ACoy 2IC for over half a year). CSM Stobie had taken the Coy to Cyprusbut after a few months at Mersinniki left for HQ Coy in Dhavlos andwas replaced by CSM Sievewright. Luckily CSjt Ramsay was therethroughout and the Sergeants were Kindness, Kenyon, Hutcheon,Milligan (at least two of whom had been for some time Corporals andActing Pl Sgts). There had also been Sgt Breslin, who left for HQ asProvost Sgt, and Sgt Tervett who left for C Coy. All, with some verycompetent Cpls and LCpls, capably looked after us and our welfare.[Editor: Especially CORPORAL McGrory. When 1 Platoon’s Acting PlSgt, Cpl A D Kenyon (Cushy) was in hospital after his platoon’s ‘visit’ toAkanthou LCpl McGrory took over. As such, he commanded the guard atMersinniki’s gates when 1 Pl was on duty. One day the CO (Lt Col F B BNoble OBE) drove in. The 1 Pl Guard of course presented arms but Freddiedidn’t just touch his bonnet in response. “The Guard Commander should be aFULL Corporal,” he dictated. LCpl McGrory immediately rose in rank.]The Signals Platoon at A Coy wasrepresented by myself, Charlie Shanks,Speedy McDowell and John Pollard.The camp was well situated for our purposeand the terrain was reasonably flat. Therewas a fair amount of activity in the area andthe patrols were kept at it. Patrols continuedaround and well beyond Mersinniki and atleast [Editor: some of (!)] the terrain wasmuch flatter there. However we were nowmoving into the high summer and thetemperature was sometimes hitting 35 deg C,so it was no joke chasing about in that heat.Charlie Shanks.A Coy also had the job of guarding andpatrolling the area of Trikomo Monastery for Speedy McDowell.reasons which I don’t recall. Various incidentsoccurred while I was at A Coy. A swimmingparty was attacked as they drove throughthe Lefkoniko Pass. A bomb was thrownfrom the top of a bluff with no injuriesprobably because the transport was movingapace. Fire was directed at an area and whena party reached the spot blood was found butthe injured had been removed. [Editor: There John Pollard.also was what may have been a separate incident.(It was certainly earlier.) A 1 Pl “swimming party” (allowed to swim IFeach participant would bring back a filled sandbag to heighten the rampartsround the Pl Area) was driving along the coast road when a wired 25-pdrshell was detonated under one of its trucks. (Luckily the latter was a 1-tontruck with an apparently armoured bottom. No one was injured.) Anotherswimming party was bombed while in the water. Fortunately it landedin a stream close to where 2Lt Helm was sitting reading a book. Hewas covered in mud but again fortunately no one was injured. [Atleast one A Coy swimming excursion was interrupted by the detonation of a“bomb”, probably another 25-pdr shell, in the water by means of wire andbattery. One swimmer was quite (or very) near at the time but the water seemsto have blanketed the explosion. At the same time or shortly afterwards aninquisitive and very intrepid soldier fished out a wired but unexploded 25-pdrshell which had been lying on the sea-bottom. This was taken back to camp– and of course immediately blown. (Its demolition, considerably annoyed theIsland’s RAOC Bomb Disposal Squad. Demolition was their territory)]Swimming/bathing parties were by no means routine but werefairly frequent – and usually used the same stretch of beach (withsentries posted on the cliffs or bluffs above). Both the localityand A Coy’s route to it would have both been well-known to thePanhandle terrorists. (Sorry! Freedom fighters!)70 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

Entertainers started to visit the Island and tour the camps. Wehad visits from Lita Rosa who really went down a bundle, FrankieHoward, who cheered us up with patter not his television stuff,and Elsie and Doris Waters who were getting to the end of theircareer but were still prepared to entertain the troops. Betty Driveralso visited the Island. I remember seeing her at Golden SandsLeave Camp.Golden Sands Leave Camp wasavailable for five days leave if onewanted (and could be spared frompatrols, guards and fatigues). Itwas a beautiful setting just outsideFamagusta giving a well-earnedbreak from the constant routineof guards and patrols to any OtherRanks if they wanted to go. It waslimited to six to ten personnel fromeach Company at any one time andwas quite popular. There was nolimitation on drinks within reason,good entertainment by visitingshow-business people and dancingat night with a small amount ofWRAC personnel. The camp wassurrounded by a barbed-wire fence,but outside the fence were orangegroves. The odd bomb was thrownin. As the living and entertainment Recreation at Golden Sands.areas were well inside the perimeterno real damage was done. It was however a great break from theeveryday routine of the camps.Inter Company SportsAll the Companies had their own football teams and the competitionwas great. The teams were not all Junior Ranks. Some companiesfielded players right up to CSMs (who could take it as well as give it)and 2Lt Best was one of the A Coy team’s stalwarts. (CSgt Ramsaywas of course a notable player as well as trainer.)Inter Battalion SportsThe Battalion was represented at most inter-Battalioncompetitions but the crowning glory was the winning of theCyprus Mail Cup. The team played and beat the 10th Hussars,Pay Corps, 2 Para and Durham Light Infantry – and 3 Para (1-0)in the final. The team was Pinkerton, Kinney, McCulloch (scorer– penalty), McGill, Daniels, Baxter, Scoular, McEwan, Phin, Duffyand Graham, and the subs Thompson and Benton.DisciplineMilitary discipline continued to play its role in our lives althoughthe penalties were mainly loss of pay. I only fell foul of it once.A patrol had just returned to camp and the signaller had left hisFN rifle in the Signals tent. I noticed the action was cocked andassuming the weapon had been cleared I squeezed the trigger – tofind there was a round in the breech. Fortunately I pointed theweapon at an unoccupied area of the camp and at least the magazinehad been removed. The camp was immediately on stand-to as shotshad recently been fired into HQ Coy at Dhavlos. My misdemeanourwas quickly brought to light and the signaller and myself were upbefore the Coy Comd. I got reprimanded and he got seven days lossof pay, which under the circumstances was pretty light.The Sad TimesThe sad times started when the Gordons, who were stationed inthe Troodos mountains, were involved in fighting a forest fire.The wind changed and blew back on them causing 22 deaths. Asa Regiment our hearts went out to the Gordons. I myself was veryworried because I had pals in the Gordons at the time.The football teams before the game.Our own personal sad times came whenwe lost three of us, of A Company, in abombing incident in Lefkoniko. Theywere Privates J Beattie, M Neely and PDoherty. The Company used to make uptwo teams for a game which was played ona school playing field in Lefkoniko. Whenthe game was finished everyone gathered Matt Neely.round an adjacent drinking-fountain. Thelocals used to come down and watch thesegames because they were always played ona Sunday afternoon. This particular Sundayno one noticed that the locals had alldisappeared before the end of the game. Asthe teams ran to the drinking-fountain MattNeely was the first to touch the spout. Therewas an immediate explosion and he wasJ Beattie.killed instantly. Beattie died next day of hiswounds and Doherty died six weeks later at Cowglen Hospital– although it had been hoped he would make a full recovery. Ifthe “bombers”, the terrorists at the other end of the detonatingcable, had waited another 30 seconds it could have been 2 or 3times that number. I suppose they wanted to be quickly awayand that saved lives.Word was quickly relayed to the camp and two platoons weresoon on the scene. [Editor: The Brigadier ordered their immediateremoval but the CO, Lt Col F B B Noble OBE, did not comply.]The following day the town and the whole immediate area wereintensely searched and the next few days were spent scouring thesurrounding areas, but they were long gone. A Coy did not haveany more serious incidents and I am sure it was because of thequick on-the-spot reactions. (The earlier death of Pte G Cullenof B Coy was the result of a most unfortunate accident. In thedarkness on the night of 7/8 Jun 56 two observation post partiesfrom the same B Coy patrol clashed. A challenge was issued butthere was no response. The challenging party then opened fire– and Pte Cullen was shot dead.)THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 71

Due to Army policy the deceased could not be sent home andwere buried at Wayne’s Keep Military Cemetery. However, thepeople of Glasgow raised the money and they were sent homebefore we left the Island.Although I knew most of them I was probably closest to MattNeely, one of the cooks who was in the next tent to me. It wasindeed the saddest day of our service. It was almost certainly theroutine pattern of these matches that allowed it to happen.Back to the constant patrolling coupled with the fact that theSuez Crisis was rearing its head and we fully expected to go, butit turned out a no-go as far as we were concerned. Rumours thenbegan to circulate that we would be leaving the Island shortly.This was eventually confirmed and we began packing up andwere to be relieved by the Royal West Kents. We had hoped tobe home by Xmas but this was not to be. However we spent amore relaxed Xmas and New Year in camp knowing we wouldbe leaving shortly. The Company had been given a piglet bythe villagers when they arrived and it had become more of a petthan a meal as it freely roamed the camp. So there were somemixed feelings when the local butcher arrived to prepare it forour Xmas dinner. (To put us off someone started the rumourthat it had been seen eating a ‘deid dug’ outside the perimeter)However, due to the expertise of Cpl Goudie and the Coy cookswe had a handsome meal – as Cpl Goudie was prone to say. Someof us even managed to scrounge a dram at the Sergeants’ Messlater on. [Editor: Whisky was only 12/- (60p) a bottle in Cyprus thenbut wasn’t served in the Jocks’ canteens. All there was there was softdrinks and beer. (But there was FREE rum – when notice had beengiven TWENTY-FOUR hours in advance to Brigade that conditionswere harsh.)]Around the 4th of January we made our way to Famagusta toboard the SS Dilwara on the first stage home. Famagusta Bay isvery shallow so the shipping sits well out in the bay. The firstexperience of sailing for most of us was in small boats that ferriedus out to the ship, the climb aboard in full FSMO was somethingelse. Fortunately no one ended up in the sea. Accommodationon troop ships is very cramped, not bunk beds but at least fourtiered.Well fed and no duties but I don’t recall any alcohol beingavailable (probably just as well). Most of our time was spentresting, gambling or seagull watching.We had one stop at Algiers on the road home to take on water andit was obvious the fighting that was going on between the settlersand the French government by the amount of action we couldhear going on during our short stay there.Apart from some rough weather passing through the Bay of Biscayour trip was quite uneventful and we docked at Southampton onthe 17th of January. After being well turned over by Customs weleft by train. Travelling overnight with some stops for feedingand watering we arrived in Edinburgh and Redford Barracks.We didn't stay long there and then moved on to Glasgow QueenStreet Station. Transport was waiting to take us and our kit for anovernight stay at the barracks. They certainly took our kit; withthe exception of those living outside Glasgow, I am sure the rest ofus went home. Next day the 19th I remember well. We were givenour release papers, paid, plus leave pay, up to 22nd February, ourfinal release date. Actually we were held over for seven weeks butat that time we could be held over for three months. I don’t recallanyone objecting. We were all too glad be home. Dismissed withour kit and told to report for Territorial Army Service (which Imust admit I never did) we parted company with HM Forces.Return To Civvy StreetMyself and a few of the old A Coy lads continued our friendshipafter demob. We would meet every Friday and Saturday nightin our favourite watering hole, the Grand Hotel bar at CharingCross. Then as was the case we were picked off one by one bythe fairer sex. (I wonder how many wives know they have beenmarried to trained killers for 40-odd years?) We still kept intouch but our meetings got fewer as we became more under theircontrol. However some of us still keep in touch to this day.Fortunately employment was readily available then. We were stillin the post-war house-building boom, we still had a shipbuildingindustry, the steel industry was being rebuilt, and refinerieswhere being built all over the country. I myself moved into theconstruction industry and as I progressed through the companyI always remembered the words of a well-known senior detective,Joe Beattie, who I got to know very well after he retired, “DON'TFORGET THE MARYHILL BOYS”. I was in the fortunateposition to give employment to ex-HLI old pals who weretradesmen both onshore and offshore and I can honestly say I wasnever once let down.72 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS

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