The

ThistleVolume 28 – Number 8 Winter 2010

Journal of The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)

It was a privilege to be asked to takeover as Chairman of the RegimentalTrustees. On behalf of the Regiment I thank Robbie Scott Bowden for hisendeavours and leadership over the last five years.

1 SCOTS, garrisoned in Dreghorn Barracks, returned from a very successfulAfghanistan tour in late September. The professionalism, morale and regimentalspirit within the Battalion is extremely high; there was real atmosphere of prideand gratitude for a job well done at their Homecoming parades and at the medalspresentation in Holyrood Park. We remember the loss of Lance Corporal Pooland those wounded on operations.

At Home Headquarters, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Blythe and his reduced staff,now assisted with benevolence by Captain Jimmy Springthorpe, are to becommended on their sterling work on behalf of us all.

Whilst the effect of SDSR is still awaited, it remains clear that the way forward for young men in our formerRegimental area is to be proud to join Scotland’s modern infantry, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS). Iencourage the full support of the marketing of SCOTS, a very strong brand, whilst maintaining the strongintegrity of The Royals, which we all served in.

There is now a healthy Northern Ireland Branch of the Association and, organised by the Southern Branch, theAssociation led the annual veterans march past at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. A painting to mark

this unique event has been commissioned, which will be hung prominentlyin The Royal Scots Club.

2011 will see landmark events in the Regiment’s distinguished history:the UK’s Armed Forces Day will be held in Edinburgh, which affords theopportunity for very strong UK-wide Association participation; newcolours will be presented to the SCOTS battalions and The Royal Scotscolours will be laid up.

The Club’s major expansion project is almost complete. I complimentBrian Adair, his fellow Trustees, the Management Team and the Staff ontheir determination and resourcefulness at what is The Royals rallyingpoint.

The future has four vital pillars as we reshape. They are: the Museumwhich records our fine history; the Association which bonds togetherthose who served in our Regiment; the Club which is our rallying placeand principal war memorial; and Benevolence which supports Royals inneed. A close and enduring relationship has been developed with 1SCOTS in particular and with HQ SCOTS, which will ensure that formerRoyals now cap-badged as SCOTS remain very much part of our familywhilst understanding that a SCOTS Association will be forming as we allmove ahead.

Colonel Martin Gibson OBE DL

Keep inTouchPlease ensure that you keepus up to date with yourcontact details:

Home Headquarters,The Royal Scots(The Royal Regiment),The Castle, EDINBURGHEH1 2YT

Tel: 0131 310 5016rhqrs@btconnect.comwww.theroyalscots.co.uk

www.theroyalscots.co.uk

1st BattalionThe Royal Regiment of Scotland1 SCOTS HERRICK 12

2010 has beencharacterised byoperations inAfghanistan, withB Coy on OpHERRICK 11with 3 RIFLESand the remainderof the Battalionon Op HERRICK12, providing theAfghan Army’sBrigade AdvisorGroup and a

composite Waterloo Company in Nad-e-Ali.

Although B Coy was detached, we monitored theirprogress with interest, basking in their extraordinarysuccesses. They were in Wishtan area of Sangin, aplace with a formidable reputation. Through theirefforts, leadership and gallantry, they achieved realprogress. Success in a ground holding role is slow andmethodical, but they learnt rapidly how to dominatethe ground, take the fight to the enemy, and to engagewith the local population. The honours and awardsthey received,including aQ u e e n ’ sGallantry Medalfor PrivateB r o t h e r s t o n ,and a Queen’sCommendationfor ValuableService forMajor Graeme Wearmouth, best illustrate the highregard with which they were held.

The remainder of the Battalion followed hard on theirheels, deploying in March 2010 as the OMLT BattleGroup, to mentor the Afghan Army. We wererequired to restructure very significantly in our firstfew weeks. That we achieved this so rapidly andcapably, says much for the flexibility and mentalagility that has come to characterise 1 SCOTS.

Waterloo Company then went on to achieve so muchin a role they had not prepared for, which speaks wellof the leadership, fighting spirit and initiative of thecompany. They too had to adapt throughout theirtour, expanding their area of operations. Perhaps thebiggest change was the increase in violence over thelatter half of the tour. This is a reflection of thetransient nature of the insurgents, and the pressurebeing applied to them in a former stronghold. Duringa visit towards the end of the tour I was struck howthe area had changed as the summer fighting seasonreached its zenith. Many of the Jocks in the smallerPatrol Bases and Check Points became remarkably

accustomed to the daily battle that they faced. Theyresponded well, have grown in confidence andstature, and display all the signs of professionalyoung soldiers comfortable with themselves.Inevitably, they took some bad casualties along theway, not least three gunshot wounds suffered in thespace of a single week.

For those of us in the Brigade Advisor Group, thetempo was no less, and I am proud of what ourofficers and soldiers achieved in a short period. Weinherited an almost new Afghan BrigadeHeadquarters with no experience, little training,limited understanding of its role, and little confidencein its own ability. We left behind us a Headquartersthat is better manned, better trained, and better ableto contribute significantly to this campaign.

The latter half of our tour saw 3/215 Brigadeconduct two major ANA led brigade (-) operations.The first saw 700 ANA soldiers, 150 advisors and150 Task Force Helmand enablers conduct a 48 hourdisrupt operation into a major insurgent safe haven.The second saw a reduced advisor footprintsupporting an eight-day joint Afghan Army andPolice operation to secure, clear and protect animportant route in the Upper Gereshk Valley. It was

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CO addressing the Battle Group

Fighting alongside the Afghan Army

Major Tom Perkins and supporters running his Shorabak Marath

Brigade Advisor Group with their Afghan protégés

The Royal GuardIn Sangin last February I received a message fromthe CO that B Coy would mount the Royal Guard inBalmoral upon returning from operations.

Ceremonial dressand country pursuitswere the last thingon my mind and Iduly put all thoughtsof Balmoral to theback of my mind inorder to focus on thejob in hand. It was

after six weeks post-tour leave, that I was told byvarious members of the Company that they had hadenough leave and wanted to do something different.Variety was certainly the watchword as 90 membersof B Coy travelled up to furnish Her Majesty TheQueen’s Royal Guard 2010.

The activities have changed little over the years andwill be familiar to many. The Pony Platoon, led byCaptain Gartside and Sergeant Scott, grafted hardon the hills, often in very inclement weather. TheSecurity Platoon, led by Lieutenant Forsyth andSergeant Noble did an admirable job includingresponding to live Police callouts, earning a formalletter of thanks from the Chief Constable. Weconducted a number of ceremonial events includingthe arrival and departure of Her Majesty at CrathieKirk and the march through Ballater led by the Pipesand Drums. The Royal Guard Open Day proved

popular and we supported various Highland Gamesincluding Aboyne, Ballater, Lonach and the BraemarGathering. We had some sporting success with acommendable third place finish in the Inter-Servicessprint at Braemar; a convincing 6-2 win over theBallater Football Team; and a number of individualsuccesses. The Aboyne Rugby Club benefited from theoccasional support from the Guard and CrathieCricket Club were rescued from relegation in a must-win game. We have been able to take advantage ofthe myriad outdoor activities including three Coy golfoutings, mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing,grouse shooting, stalking and clay-pigeoncompetitions. Members of the Guard, led by LCplArchibald have also assisted Grampian MountainRescue.

A highlight of thesocial calendar wasthe Royal GuardCocktail Party wherewe were delighted tosee members of bothantecedent Regimentsand the officers fromthe Battalion who hadreturned from operations in Afghanistan just 72hours before. The local community has been verywelcoming and it was a pleasure to try and enhancethe Regimental name in Aberdeenshire.

Major Graeme Wearmouth

a profound demonstration ofincreasing ANA capability andwill, and considerablereassurance that ourdevelopments efforts werepaying off.

Of course these tours have notbeen without tragedy, and our

thoughts lie with the families of Cpl JohnathonMoore, Pte Sean McDonald and Lance Corporal JoePool, who were killed in action during the year. Theywill never be forgotten. A number of other youngofficers, NCOs and Jocks have received life-changinginjuries. I take some comfort in the knowledge thattheir sacrifice has not been in vain. They are the trueheroes of this campaign, and I know that all ranksand all supporters of 1 SCOTS join me in sendingthem our very best wishes as they battle back tofitness, with the same indomitable spirit they showed

in Afghanistan.

But it has not beenall about operationsthis year, and Icannot finishwithout reference toHer Majesty’s RoyalGuard, provided thisyear by B Coy. This

commitment was taken on with enthusiasm, and hasprovided the perfect antidote to their hard chargingtour in Sangin.

I must also take this opportunity to congratulateWO1 (RSM) Tait on commissioning after anextraordinarily successful period as RSM. We arevery fortunate however in having had another classact appointed in the form of WO1 (RSM) Wood.

I handed over to Lt Col Ben Wrench in mid-October.It has been an extraordinary privilege and anenormous pleasure to have commanded 1 SCOTSsince early 2008. I have been blessed with a verytalented and dedicated cohort of Officers, WarrantOfficers, NCOs and Jocks over this time and I thankthem for their patience and commitment. It is theywho have allowed the Battalion to prosper and whohave taken us to operational, training and sportingsuccess over this time. I like to think that ourreputation is as high as ever. Our young soldiers areas fine a generation as any who have served beforethem and are a true credit to our antecedentRegiments.

Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Herbert

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Sgt Campbell, Community Engagement

HM The Queen inspects The Royal Guard

HRH The Princess Royal in Victoria Barracks WOs & Sgts Mess

LCpl Joe Pool

ALEX REID 100ALEX REID OF 8 RS CELEBRATED HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY ON 2 JULY.Alex, formerly WO1 8 RS landed on the Normandy beaches and fought for theliberation of North West Europe. Alex was joined on his birthday by membersof the RS Association at East Linton where he was presented with a splendidblazer with a Royal Scots badge emblazoned with “8th Battalion”. Thefollowing week Alex was joined by 8 RS comrades and others for lunch at TheRoyal Scots Club, presided over by Maj Joe Brown 7/9 RS. A typically heartyRoyal Scots Club lunch was enjoyed by all, followed by toasts to HM The Queenand HRH The Princess Royal, and a stirring pipe programme played by EddieHanratty of the Association Band. Tributes to Alex were paid by Maj JoeBrown and Mr George Simmonds, and Alex was presented with a handsomesilver quaich capable of holding more than a standard dram and a bronzestatuette of a Royal Scots pipe major.

PURVES PRIZEThis year’s Purves Prize goes to Major Ronald Ironside of 1 RS and 7/9 RS. Ronald has given outstanding servicenot only in the past year but has made a constant and significant contribution behind the scenes for in excess of35 years! The award was made at the Officers Dinner Club Regimental Dinner held in the RS Club in October.

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CONGRATULATIONSPROMOTIONS AND AWARDSBrigadier George Lowder has assumed command of 51st (Scottish) Brigade and Brigadier Bob Bruce assumescommand of 4th Mechanised Brigade in December. Lt Col Charlie Herbert is promoted Colonel and goes to theHigher Command and Staff course. Lt Col Ben Wrench has assumed command of 1 SCOTS.

B COY 1 SCOTS OPERATIONAL AWARDS• QUEEN’S COMMENDATION FOR VALUABLE SERVICE was awarded to Major Graeme Wearmouth.

• QUEEN’S GALLANTRY MEDAL to Private Callum Brotherston.

• COMMENDATIONS FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE Lt David Clark, WO 2 Scott McQuillin, Cpl EdwardScott and LCpl Fraser McPherson.

• DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER to Brig James Cowan, son of Col Edward Cowan, Chairman of theSouthern Branch of the RS Association.

THE ASSOCIATION PIPEBAND IS TEN YEARS OLDWell done all members of the Band, past andpresent

Alex Reid with presentation Quaich

The Association Band leading 1 SCOTS down The Royal Mile

SPORT1 SCOTS RUGBYPreparing for Op HERRICK 11 & 12 disrupted the 2009 - 10 season leading to a sabbatical from the ArmyCup. Thus no rugby was played until our defence the Army Sevens Cup, only being able to choose from theRear Party and B Coy who had returned from Afghanistan only a couple of weeks before. Despite a weakenedsquad, we benefited from the services of Ptes Apo Satala and Jack Prasad, both Fiji caps. The team playedsome great sevens, winningfour matches to qualify forthe semi-final where theymet 2nd Royal Welsh in aphysical encounter, winning14 - 0. The final was arepeat of 2009 with 1SCOTS edging a hardfought victory 20 - 15against 17 P&M Regt RLC,thus securing the ArmySevens Cup for the secondyear running and the eighthtime in ten years (1 RShaving won the trophy sixtimes up to 2006). Thevictory was all the morenotable, as it was the first time a Rear Party team had become champions! The Army XVs Cup campaigncommenced in October, beating 4th Regt RA 30 - 7, both teams having stepped off the plane from Afghanistanonly two days before. The game was notable for the LCpl Bulumukau and Pte Bulumukau father and soncombination. The next match at Dreghorn is on 26 January against 19th Regt RA at 1400 and those wishing

to come along and support the team will be made very welcome.

Capt Kevin Gartside, Rugby Officer

CONGRATULATIONSto Major Angus McLeod who won a Silver Medal at the CommonwealthGames in Delhi in October, shooting in the Pairs Full Bore at 1000meters.

GOLFWell done to Maj Bernie Thomson and a team of Old Royals whocompeted for the Argyll Bowl this summer.

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1 SCOTS v 4 Regt RA

Bulumukau & Son

THE ROYAL SCOTS AssociationArmed Forces Day June 2010Well done the Association! In excess of 75 onparade, plus the Standard Bearers and the PipeBand. Altogether a better event than last year, downThe Royal Mile, past the Mercat Cross where theLord Provost took the salute, then into CockburnStreet and dispersal from Princes Street Gardens.

Thousands linedthe streets,reminiscent ofB CoyHomecominglast May andthe 1 SCOTSBG in October.At the Ross

Bandstand there were refreshments for serving andretired alike – and a beer tent. In the programme ofentertainment the Association Band played a set midafternoon and joined the massed bands for beatingretreat at the close. Evident among those whoinfiltrated the Ross Bandstand were a number of OldRoyals who are not presently members of theAssociation. You know who you are – and so do we –so join up. Nevertheless, it was good to see them alland catch up. The day was an excellent rehearsal forArmed Forces Day on 25 Jun 2011 when Edinburghwill be the lead city. Let’s have an even biggerturnout for that! Standby also for information onpresentation of Colours to The Royal Regiment ofScotland, probably the following weekend.

Northern Ireland BranchTwenty Old Royals settled in Northern Ireland hadproposed that there should be a stone tocommemorate those Royal Scots who died therebetween 1970 - 2002, and that a NI Branch shouldbe established. The proposals were considered at the

A s s o c i a t i o nC o m m i t t e eAGM and weresubsequen t l yapproved by RST r u s t e e s ,former Colonelsof the Regimenthaving alsobeen consulted.4th September was selected for dedicating the stoneand establishing the Branch. Detailed planningcommenced, enthusiastically advised by Albert OwensMBE, Custodian of the Memorial Gardens aboutwhich more can be learned atwww.palacebarracksmemorialgarden.co.uk

More than 50 members of all Branches attended withthe Association Standards piped onto parade byAssociation Band pipers. The Service of Dedicationand Remembrance was led by Padres Cathcart andKnox, both former 1 RS Chaplains. The Exhortationwas delivered by the Chairman of the ScotlandBranches, the inscription on the stone was read outby the Chairman of the Association followed by aLament, two minutes silence and Reveille. The RoyalScots Collect was recited by all and after theBenediction, the Chairman of the NI Branch readverses from ‘The Fallen’. The same Regimental flagthat had finally been lowered in Basra on the day thatour cap badge was last worn was flown at the flagpole. The event was covered by BFBS, courtesy of

whom we sentgreetings to 1SCOTS inAfghan i s tan .That eveningsaw thei n a u g u r a lmeeting of thenew Branch.The enthusiasm

and organisational skill which brought the Branchinto being bodes very well for the future. Any OldRoyals in NI who may not yet have joined shouldcontact jacarlisle@btinternet.com

Autumn Dinner& Musselburgh RacesBoth events had first class turnouts. The AutumnGathering and Dinner was held in the Hepburn Suite

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Four Old Royals at Armed Forces Day

The Northern Ireland Memorial Stone

Service of Dedication and Remembrance

The Congregation

in the RS Club and the RS Day at Musselburghincluded, for the first time, a Royal Regiment ofScotland race. Unfortunately 1 SCOTS were notquite back from Afghanistan in time but it is hopedthat they will be able to join in next September.

Southern BranchOn 21 Jul the Southern Branch visited RAF Odiham.Chairman Edward Cowan reported, “Many of usremember the RAF helicopter support in Radfan,Northern Ireland (especially South Armagh), theFalklands and elsewhere. The briefing by Wg CdrTurner, 18(B) Squadron filled a number of knowledgegaps of the Chinook Force role in Helmand where myson, Brig James Cowan recently commanded the UKTask Force. He told me how much the whole Forceadmired the work and professionalism of the Chinookaircrews.”

The AssociationPipe Bandis ten years oldHaving joined 1 SCOTS Pipes& Drums for B CoyHomecoming parades inPeebles, Berwick andEdinburgh in May, we alsoled 1 SCOTS BG throughGalashiels, Linlithgow and

down The Royal Mile in October and were present attheir medals ceremony. A significant overseasengagement was in Rome at the invitation ofFinmeccanica to play at their annual awardsceremony, an experience not to be missed. In Junethe Band was on parade for Armed Forces Day,marching from the Castle to Princes Street Gardensvia The Royal Mile. The only non-Regular Army band,we took part in beating of retreat at the RossBandstand along with the massed military band andpipes and drums, earning compliments fromBrigadier George Lowder formerly RS, Sir AlistairIrwin RBL President, and General Sir DavidRichards CDS. Along with The Lowland (TA) Bandand Lothian & Borders ACF Pipes & Drums weentertained a crowd of 5,000 at The Royal Scots Dayat Musselburgh Races. On Remembrance Sunday, theBand played at the Heart of Midlothian memorialservice at Tynecastle, with pipers at Erskine, RAFTurnhouse, Roslin and at Hepburn House. Furtherinformation, including for those interested in joiningthe Band, is available atwww.royalscotspipeband.org.uk.

Major T A G Corkerton, Band Manager

FundraisingPARA 10, Mark Wrightand SSAFATam Miller, Callum Colquhon,Roger Telford, Martin Burnett,Tam Logan, George Higgins,Watte Steward, Sinky Sinclairand William John Malloy alltook part in the 10 mile run.Tam thanks all sponsors,raising £450 for SSAFA. “Thiswill be my last serious run, as

old joints and bones are not so keen now; at almost70, it’s time to let the youngsters fly the flag.”

Combat StressMajor Donald Sommerville’s fundraising team inCastle Douglas raised £595 for Combat Stressthrough a brass band concert.

325 mile Fund Raising EventPte Paul Lambert of B Coy 1 SCOTS lost both legs inan IED explosion and was 30 seconds from death. InOctober, Paul joined injured British and Americanservicemen on a 325 mile charity event in Holland.

ThanksTo Sharon McCann whoran the Great ScottishRun (10k) to raise £500for the RS BenevolentFund in memory of hergrandfather GusFerguson BEM. TheFund disburses money toformer Royals in needthroughout the year.With so muchcompetition for funds why not leave a legacy in yourwill to the RS Benevolent Fund?

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Spot the difference!Answers on a postcard ....

Tam MillarPARA 10 Certificate

The PARA 10 Gang

Sharon McCann presents her cheque

The CenotaphThe Southern Branch attended the Opening of theWestminster Abbey Field of Remembrance on 11 Novand Association members came together for theFestival of Remembrance on Sat 13 Nov. Rev RosTrafford Roberts took the Annual Service, Ian

Fleming playedthe Lament,General MarkStrudwick gavethe ‘Exhortation’and Tam Millarcarried theA s s o c i a t i o nStandard. Inthe Cloisters,Colonel John

Charteris read out all 23 names of Royal Scots and 1SCOTS killed on active service since the end ofWWII. Afterwards Victor Lucas hosted about 50 inThe Tower of London to witness The Ceremony of theKeys and enjoy the Yeoman Warders’ Mess.

Sixty-five attended The Cenotaph Parade on Sundaywhere artist Hugh Beattie recorded our marchthrough Horseguards to Whitehall. Our oldestmember and WWII veteran, John Myles, asked a

policeman for a loo and was promptly taken throughthe front door of Number 10! Two minutes silencefollowed the booming of 18 pounder guns and afterwreath laying we stepped off, Al Ritchie giving the‘eyes left’ at the Cenotaph and Dave Beveridgekeeping time. At Horseguards our Patron, HRH ThePrincess Royal took the salute. At Lunch in the Army& NavyC l u bafterwards,t h ePres identr e p o r t e da n dC o r p o r a lW e s l e yGold talkedabout BCompany’stour inHe lmand .We were fascinated by battle video coverage showingCorporal Gold’s section under fire and thesophistication of intelligence, fire support, re-supplyand medical back up available.

RemembranceContalmaison PilgrimageHearts players who joined 16 RS (McCrae’s Battalion) were remembered on 1 July 2010 at the annualcommemoration of the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Hearts were the first club to have its team sign upin November 1914. The seven Hearts players who lost their lives were: Sgt Duncan Currie, Sgt John Allan, LCplJames Boyd, Cpl Tom Gracie, Pte Ernest Ellis, Pte James Speedie and Pte Henry Wattie.

Wootton BassetFor the second time this year we performed the sad duty of repatriation, with the Association Standard on paradealong with a strong contingent of RS and KOSB. This time for LCpl Pool of 1 SCOTS, on 9 Sep 10.

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Colonel David Trafford-Roberts meetsHRH The Duke of Edinburgh

On Parade at The Cenotaph

The Royals leading from the front

Fall in for The Cenotaph

MUSEUMAccreditationThe long held ambition of achieving Museum, Libraries and Archives accreditation has been realised, if onlyprovisionally. We intend to achieve full accreditation in 2011.

Sing out the Silence…A blustery September weekend marked Royal Scot Jim Ford’s contribution to the literature of Scotland by thededication in stone of his words “Sing out the silence, fill for ever and ever the emptiness.” His was the 33rdtablet to be laid at Makar’s Court outside The Writer’s Museum in Edinburgh on 4 September 2010.

At the ceremony Paul Scott, past President of the Saltire Society spoke of his close friend Jim: “Having survivedhorrendous experiences in a Japanese POW camp, he wrote five very distinguished novels.” His first book ‘TheBrave White Flag’ focuses on ‘just an ordinary man’ and a career officer in Hong Kong during WWII. ‘TheSeason for Escape’, based on his (not so ordinary) brother Douglas (posthumously awarded the George Cross),won the Frederick Niven award as the “most powerful and sympathetic novel Scotland has produced for manyyears.” The dedication quote drawn from ‘A Statue for a Public Place’ is still considered a “marvellousevocation” of Edinburgh. The dedication was attended by Jim’s widow Isobel, daughter Elizabeth and sonDouglas, and the following week the family visited HHQ RS to view the documents and personal letters Jim haddonated.

Visit To Le ParadisMay 2010My brother Willie and I spent amemorable weekend at Le Paradis,40 miles east ofDunkirk. Our visitcoincided with the70th anniversary ofthe 1 RS heroicstand in May 1940against theadvancing Germanblitzkrieg. Ourfather, Col Seton Dicksoncommanded B Coy at the time andhad been evacuated, wounded,shortly beforehand. 1 RS hadwithdrawn 120 miles over 16 days,often in contact. Once at LeParadis, along with the rest of 4Brigade, 1 RS was ordered to “fightto the last man” while the remainderof BEF made for Dunkirk.

We travelled with Ralston Ryderwhose father, Maj Lyell DudleyRyder had commanded 2nd RoyalNorfolks, of whom 96 weremassacred by the SS at a farmhousenearby on 27th May. Only twosurvived. Lt Col Andy McDowall RSjoined us at the Creton farmhousewhere the massacre had taken placeand where wreaths were laid. Thechurch at the crossroads in thevillage was where some of theheaviest fighting had taken place,commemorated by an open airservice. Lt Col McDowall gave a

speech in fluent French and a ninety-year-old Royal Norfolk veteran,Arthur Brough and I laid wreathsbefore visiting the CommonwealthWar Graves Commission cemetery.

The Band played amedley of Scottishairs including“Pentland Hills”,composed by the lateMajor Jimmy HoweMBE, who haddonated the music tothe band. Jimmy had

been a bandsman and a stretcherbearer in 1940 and had tended tothe wounded during some of theheaviest fighting. We felt he waswith us that beautiful morning.

Mr John Simpson then showed uswhere The Royal Scots Bn HQ, HQCoy, and the Regimental Aid Posthad been. John`s father had been inthe Military Band and he gave us adetailed tour of more of The RoyalScots positions and described thebattle from contemporary accounts.Lastly we were shown where PipeMajor Allan and four soldiers haddied protecting Bn HQ.

The people of Le Paradis have sinceinvited us to return 27-29 May2011. Please contact Major DavidDickson, through HHQ RS, if youwould be interested in attending. Itwould be marvellous to have astrong Royal Scots presence.

Major David Dickson

A virtual history archive project -edinburghs-war.ed.ac.uk - acollaboration of the University ofEdinburgh and Edinburgh CityLibraries, was launched on 7 October2010 to produce a unique history of thepeople of Edinburgh during the waryears of 1914 – 1918. Unsurprisingly,our 35 Battalions are mentioned.

Museum VisitorsWe have been particularly pleased towelcome parties from 1 SCOTS,6 SCOTS and Lothian & Borders ACF,briefing them on the RS part of theirheritage and directing them also to theRS Club.

Visitors came from Trenton OldBarracks Museum in New Jersey. Re-enactors with authentic RS uniformsfrom 1759-1760 they were keen to findout the names of RS garrisoned therewith a view to erecting a Memorial tothem.

Mrs Sally Bruce-Lockhart came toresearch her relative 2nd Lt DavidAnselm Kerr, son of Maj Gen LordRalph Kerr of Woodburn Dalkeith. Hedied four days after arriving in Franceon 13 Jan 1914 and was buried atEuston Post Cemetery Laventie.

Parisian filmmaker Hélène de Paradisvisited in November with Major DavidDickson to interview the RegimentalSecretary, film the Museum andresearch archival documents about1 RS at Le Paradis in 1940.

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Maj Dickson and Lt Col McDowall at Le Paradis

The Royal Scots Club

The Club has been typically active over the summer and autumn with a number of very successful events includingSunday Lunch and Beating Retreat by the Association Pipe Band. Having welcomed B Company 1 SCOTS backfrom Afghanistan last May, we also hosted a party of 70 all ranks to lunch in the Hepburn Suite on 13th Octoberamid their programme of Homecoming Parades.

Approximately four years planning and development work has now culminated in splendid new facilities. The firstevent to be held in the new function suite was the St Andrews Night Dinner, attended by 130 members and theirguests. A fine meal was prepared in the brand new kitchen, in use for the very first time, and previously untested.It was very much to the credit of the kitchen and waiting staff that those celebrating our patron saint enjoyedthe evening so fully. Chairman Craig Duncan presided, former Chairman Bob Paterson delivered the Bill MylesGrace. Entertainment was provided by Piper Colin Scott of the RS Association Pipe Band, the MatchstickTheatre Company who presented songs from a musical, ‘Farewell My Son’ inspired by Jack Alexander’s bookMcCrea’s Battalion, and the guest speaker was Sir Tom Farmer. Chairman of Trustees Brian Adair gave a voteof thanks to all who had been involved in the development project and especially to Club Manager Adrian Hayesand his team who had continued to deliver smooth running of the Club throughout the hectic development. Wenow look forward to the official opening of the new facilities by our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal in the NewYear.

1 SCOTS Homecoming Lunch at The Royal Scots Club

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Domestic Occurrences

AADAMSOn 13 September, Major M B(Sandy) Adams, at St Albans. Mid1940s GR and then Adj and CyComd 1RS. For many years,enthusiastic member, thenChairman, of the London Section ofthe RS Association.

BAILEYIn Oct, Eddie Bailey, aged 85,formerly 7/9 RS. Former TottenhamHotspur player he played ninematches for England. A verypopular member of the Battalion’sfootball team that won 1st CorpsDistrict Inter Unit knock outFootball Championship played atWuppertal, Germany Feb 1946.

BROWNHILLOn 10 July, Dennis Brownhill, atWestern General HospitalEdinburgh, age 60. Mortar Platoon1RS, late 1960s, early 1970s.

BROCKIEOn 13 September, Thomas (Tam)Brockie, after a long illness. Servedin Berlin, Benghazi, Tripoli andAden and was a member of theAden Veterans.

BUCKINGHAMOn 22 July, Valerie Buckingham,wife of Maurice (Mo), after a longillness. Southern Branch of theAssociation.

DINNIEOn 29 August, Major GeorgeStrang Dinnie MBE. 1 RS India,Malaysia, Singapore. Worked withLord Mountbatten, retired in 1986.

EATONOn 9 May, James (Jim) Eaton aftera long illness, aged 69. FormerlyPiper 8 RS.

FEENEYOn 23 October, John (Sandy)Feeney 1 RS 1958-1980, after along illness.

GREENOn 22 January, at Bournemouth,Freddy Green. Formerly 8 RSNormandy and NW Europe.Member of the Association.

HARKNESSOn 30 September in DumfriesInfirmary, Lawrence (Larry)Harkness, age 73, after a longillness. Formerly 1 RS 1955-57.

HAYWARDOn 2 November in Londonderry,William (Bill) Hayward formerly 1RS Recce Pl in 1970s-1980s, andmember of the Association.

JOHNSTONOn 2 September, William (Billy)Johnston. 1 RS in Ballykinlar,Munster and Werl.

JOHNSTONEOn 2 September, MaureenJohnstone. Condolences to JakeJohnstone formerly 1 RS andmember of the Association.

LAMONTIn October, “Pierre” Lamont, C Coy 1RS and a member of theAssociation.

LE CCOULLIARDOn 21 May, at Bournemouth,Elizabeth Dorothy MacDonald LeCoulliard. Daughter of WO1 TEvans MBE MC. A loyal supporterof the Southern Branch of theAssociation.

MATTHEWSOn 31 August, LCpl HenryMatthews, aged 94 in North Ferriby.Formerly 1 RS 1938-45 Dunkirkand Kohima.

MACDONALDOn 17 November, in Edinburgh, LtCol Iain David MacDonald, 52ndLowland Volunteers.

MCKENZIEOn 22 October, Alexander (Alex)Culbert McKenzie, aged 94 former2 RS India and Far East.

McLAUGHLANOn 14 July, at Inverness, DavidMcLaughlan aged 44. FormerlySupport Company 1 RS and latterly1 SCOTS.

MEEKIn November, Thomas Meek, aged90, formerly 1 RS Burma.

MILLEROn 9 October, in Australia, JamesMcHarg Miller, aged 94 years,former 2 RS Hong Kong andmember of The Association.

MILLIKENOn 27 September, Duncan (Spike)Milliken QGM. 1 RS barber andmedic, and foiler of armed bankrobbers.

PARKEROn 28 July, at Borders GeneralHospital, Shirley Parker, wife ofWO2 George Parker.

POOLOn 5 September, LCpl Joseph (Joe)McFarlane Pool, aged 26 formerlyKOSB, killed in action serving with1 SCOTS in Afghanistan.

REIDOn 22 July, Evan Thomas GeorgeReid, formerly 7/9 RS and memberof the Association.

ROSENDALEOn 11 May, John Arthur Rosendale,born 1915, 1 RS Burma.

STISTEDOn 23 October, as the result of aflying accident in Northern Ireland,Charlie Stisted, elder son of the lateBrig Nigel Stisted (former CO 1RS) and Mrs Judith Stisted.

SYMINGTONOn 16 November, Neil (Symie)Symington, aged 48 formerly 2 PlA Coy.

UREOn 10 October, William Ure. Late 8RS.

WALTEROn 28 Nov, at Edinburgh, JohnNoel Walter TD, Past Moderator ofthe High Constables of the Port ofLeith, secretary Burma StarAssociation, member of The RoyalScots Club from the age of 17 to90, and a very loyal Royal Scot.

Deaths

page 11

RegimentalAssociationEvents(including Pipe Band)

2011

Branch Meetings –Scotland

EDINBURGHLast Friday of each month at8.00 pmEx-Servicemen’s Club,7 Smith’s Place, Edinburgh.

CENTRAL SCOTLANDLast Friday of each month at7.30 pmRoyal British Legion,Whitburn, West Lothian.

EAST OF SCOTLANDLast Saturday of each month at 7.30 pmRoyal British Legion,Prestonpans, East Lothian.

PIPE BANDContact Captain Torquil Corkerton on:torquil@ednet.co.uk orJim Tait on:jimbtait@jimbtait.plus.com

FOR FURTHERINFORMATIONCONTACT HOMEHEADQUARTERS

Tel: 0131-310-5016E-mail:rhqrs@btconnect.com

FORECAST OF EVENTS 2011JANUARYMonday 10th RS Club Evening Lecture. Bomber Command Part 2.Monday 17th RS Club Burns Lunch & Entertainment.Tuesday 18th Colonel SCOTS briefing on SCOTS progress in the RS Club in the evening, open to all:Wednesday 19th 1 SCOTS Army Cup Rugby.Friday 21st RS Club Burns Supper.Friday 21st RS Association Burns Supper (Central Scotland).Wednesday 26th 1 SCOTS Army Cup Rugby.Thursday 27th RS Club new development formally opened.Saturday 29th RS Association Burns Supper (Edinburgh & East of Scotland).

FEBRUARYWednesday 2nd 1 SCOTS Army Cup Rugby.Monday 7th RS Club Evening Lecture - Lawyers.Saturday 12th RS Club Valentine’s Dinner.Wednesday 16th 1 SCOTS Army Cup Rugby.Wednesday 23rd RS Club Speakers Dinner. Re-Introduction of the Beaver to Scotland.Saturday 26th 1 RS Officers & Sergeants Op GRANBY Dinner in the RS Club.

MARCHMonday 7th RS Club Evening Lecture. Colonialism - For Good or Ill?Wednesday 16th 1 SCOTS Army Cup Rugby.Thursday 17th Highland & Lowland Brigades Club Bonspiel.Thursday 24th RS Association Southern Branch AGM.Friday 25th RS Club Themed Dinner. Murder Mystery.Saturday 26th RS Association Scotland Branches Op GRANBY Dinner in the RS Club. Monday 28th RS Regimental Day. Also SCOTS Regimental Day.

RS Club Regimental Day Lunch.APRILSunday 3rd RS Club Mother’s Day Lunch.Thursday 14th 1 SCOTS Inter Coy Boxing Finals.Friday 15th 1 SCOTS end of JNCOs Cadre.Wednesday 20th RS Club AGM.Sunday 24th RS Club Easter Sunday Lunch.Friday 29th RS Benevolent Fund Trustees meeting in the RS Club.Friday 29th RS Association Committee AGM in the RS Club.Saturday 30th RS Association Spring Lunch in the RS Club.

MAYSunday 1st RS Association Golf - Fallen Comrades Trophy.Wednesday 4th RS Club Speakers Dinner. Scottish National Portrait Gallery.Friday 6th SCOTS Trustees Meeting (TBC)Saturday 7th RS Association Annual Reunion in Edinburgh.Saturday 21st 7 RS Gretna Commemoration at Rosebank Cemetery in Leith.Sat 21st - Sun 22nd 1 SCOTS Sevens at Dreghorn.Wednesday 25th 1 SCOTS Army Sevens Rugby.Fri 27th - Sun 29th Maj Dickson to Le Paradis.

JUNEThu 9th - Fri 10th 1 SCOTS Speakman VC Patrol Competition.Sunday 12th RS Club Sunday Lunch & Beating Retreat by RS Association Pipe Band.24th - 26th June Armed Forces Weekend.• Friday 24th Leith.• Saturday 25th Parade including RS Grand Muster.• Sunday 26th Church.

JULYFriday 1st Contalmaison Pilgrimage.Saturday 2nd Royal Regiment of Scotland Colours Presentation (TBC).

AUGUSTMonday 1st Minden Day.Monday 15th HRH The Princess Royal’s birthday.Sunday 28th RS Association Golf - Gladdy Murray Trophy at Winchburgh.

SEPTEMBERTBC RS Association NI Branch AGM.Saturday 24th RS Association Autumn Gathering & Dinner.Sunday 25th RS Day at Musselburgh Races.

OCTOBERSunday 9th SCOTS v Scotland boxing (TBC)TBC 1 SCOTS Golf Loudon Trophy.Friday 21st RS Association Scotland Branches AGM in the RS Club.Friday 28th RS Museum Committee Meeting at HHQ RS.

RS Benevolent Fund Trustees meeting in the RS Club.RS Benevolent Society Meeting in the RS Club.RS Officers Dinner Club Regimental Dinner in the RS Club.

Saturday 29th Joint 1 SCOTS/RS/KOSB Officers and their Ladies Lunch at Dreghorn.

NOVEMBERMonday 7th Opening of the Garden of Remembrance in Princes Street Gardens.Friday 11th Opening of the Westminster Abbey Field of Remembrance.

Glencorse Memorial Gates.Sunday 13th National Cenotaph Parade.

Edinburgh City Chambers, RS Club, Hepburn House, Hearts Memorial, and elsewhere throughout Edinburgh, the Lothians and Peebleshire.

TBC Re-Opening of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, probably with some RS sporting pictures on temporary display.

www.theroyalscots.co.uk