Dates for your Diary - The Royal Scots

The
Thistle
Journal of The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)
Volume 27 – Number 2 November 2007
Time marches on and with it has come acceptance. You will see from the 1st
Battalion notes how exceptionally well Lt Col Bob Bruce has developed his officers
and men into a highly tuned, fully manned, well trained and buzzing battalion.
They go from strength to strength. Indeed The Royal Regiment of Scotland has
shown a noticeable, positive shift in gear – there is, without doubt, a much
greater identity and loyalty to the new Regiment, a sense of belonging which
will only get stronger and stronger. Individuals are being offered broader career
opportunities and they are taking them, when it suits. Officers and soldiers who
started their careers in The Royal Scots are now serving in each of the Regiment’s
7 battalions, many in key positions such as Company Commander,
Quartermaster, Adjutant, Regimental Sergeant Major, Company Quartermaster
Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant and Section Commander. When I meet them they are
always keen to catch up on Royal Scots’ gossip but equally they are quick to tell
me how pleased they are that they seized the chance, when it was presented to
them, to enhance their career.
Regimental manning continues to be a struggle and recruiting needs to pick up in the second half of the year. This is
a problem for all Arms and Services who recruit in Scotland and not just the Infantry. However retention is generally
holding well, helped by a £4.5K retention bonus for
soldiers at the 4 year point. Officer recruiting, that
staggered just a touch during the transition, is now
Dates for your Diary
buoyant.
Nov 23 St Andrews Night Dinner - RS Club
Dec 3 Members Lunch - RS Club
Dec 10 Lecture - Royal Scots in Radfan -
Brig Ritchie - RS Club
Dec 13 Members Christmas Party - RS Club
Jan 7 Lecture - Rabbie Burns by Maj Blair - RS Club
Jan 11 Burns Supper - RS Club
Jan 28 Burns Lunch & entertainment - RS Club
Feb 4 Lecture - The Vine Trust - Dr Winter - RS Club
Feb 14 & 16 Valentines’ Dinners - RS Club
Feb 21 Themed Indian Dinner - RS Club
Mar 2 Mothers’ Day Lunch - RS Club
Mar 3 Lecture - Scottish National War Memorial -
Mr Watt - RS Club
Mar 23 Easter Sunday Lunch - RS Club
Mar 28 Regimental Day Lunch - RS Club
Apr 7 Lecture - Russia & the West - Lt Cdr Gunn - RS Club
Apr 17 French Themed Dinner - RS Club
Apr 25 Young Royals Reunion - Bainfield Bowling Club
May 10 Association Lunch - RS Club
On the operational front, over the next 12 months each of
the five regular battalions, fully supported by
reinforcements from 6 and 7 SCOTS, will be deployed on
operations in either Iraq or Afghanistan. The 1st and 2nd
Battalions are the first to deploy. We wish them success
and all the very best of good fortune. Our thoughts will be
with them. The Royal Regiment of Scotland is developing
a website which will be updated with news and
information as the tours progress.
I am delighted to report that numbers in the Association
continue to improve. More old Royals are meeting up and
enjoying the variety of functions organised by Home
Headquarters and the Branches. The next major set of
events is over the Armistice weekend; always well
supported and enjoyable occasions, both here in
Edinburgh and at the Cenotaph in London.
Lastly, with the prospect of planning for Christmas
beginning to emerge, let me give a plug for Bob
Paterson’s excellent Volume 3 of “Pontius Pilate’s
Bodyguard”– a smashing stocking filler.
Brigadier R L Scott-Bowden MBE ADC
www.theroyalscots.co.uk

1st Battalion
The Royal Regiment of Scotland
This period has seen the first anniversary of the formation of the Battalion and has witnessed us pass
some major milestones in our development as a fighting team. We are now well poised to complete the
final piece of the training jigsaw and launch as a battle group on our first operational tour in November.
Having spent the second half of 2006 concentrating on low-level skills up to platoon level, we have now developed
this foundation considerably. Keen to exploit the advantages of the new BOWMAN communications system, we
conducted a ‘digitized’ exercise at the Command And Staff Trainer (CAST) in Catterick. Commander 4th Mechanized
Brigade and his team put us through our paces and we learned a great deal about the potential of the system and
our own ability to exploit the virtue of patience!
Our next big challenge was a deployment to Belize as a battle group for Exercise TROPICAL STORM. This deployment
presented a truly excellent opportunity for a lightroled battalion, combining first class demanding military training
in a very complex environment, with marvelous adventure training opportunities and a very popular slice of R&R in
the Caribbean.
For this exercise we had a powerful team of
attachments: a battery of gunners; a squadron
of engineers; a squadron of support
helicopters; a military intelligence section; a
military police section; a logistic support
detachment and a medical section. We started
by getting to grips with the skills required for
living and fighting in the jungle, moved to
company then company group-level training
and concluded by working at battle group
level before being tested once again by our
Brigade Commander and his team. The
training was a great success, with the Brigadier
awarding us ‘Collective Training Level 4 (CT4)’,
making the 1 SCOTS team a fully trained battle
group, ready for operations.
It is often said that if a man can soldier in the
jungle, he can soldier anywhere. Our Jocks
grew in confidence notably as they got to
Pte Buddo takes a breather
Keeping a low profile
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www.theroyalscots.co.uk

grips with the routine in the ‘trees’ and on the sparse
ridges of Belize. They integrated the fire of all of our
weapon systems with those of the supporting arms in very
ambitious live firing exercises and enjoyed the
opportunity to be photographed by the press from the
south of Scotland while sporting beards of various shapes
and sizes.
Once the serious business of reaching CT4 had been
concluded satisfactorily we turned our attention to
Adventure Training and R&R. One hundred of our Jocks
achieved the PADI basic diving qualification, about the
same number completed sailing and windsurfing
qualifications, 60 were awarded the Kayaking Basic
Qualification and a big group spent a period caving. The
Caribbean provided a spectacular setting for this training
and it certainly captured the imagination of us all. Despite
the sage counsel of our medical team, the majority of the
Battalion adopted a very Scottish approach to the weather,
which was to expose as much of themselves to the ozone
aperture as possible, followed by careful immersion in
baths of Calamine lotion. It transpired to be not such a bad
idea as we were to see precious little of the sun in
Edinburgh during the months following our return.
Our other major training challenge has been the
conversion to the new Mastiff vehicle. This is a very
impressive platform indeed. It has been described as
looking like a ‘Saxon on steroids’ but its performance is
greatly in excess of both the Saxon and the Snatch. It has
powerful crew-served weapons systems, excellent
armoured protection and a very effective suite of cameras
Pte Conroy cools off
and screens that allow the crew and passengers to have a
clear view of the situation all around the vehicle. In
addition to all of this, and of great importance to the Jocks, it has ample room for the section and its equipment -
and is air-conditioned.
There have been two days of particular significance
to us as we have recognized our proud link to our
antecedent Regiments. On 28 March we celebrated
Royal Scots Regimental Day. We marked the occasion
in a number of ways. After a Kirk muster parade, the
Colonel of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Major
General Andrew Graham CBE, was our guest of
honour for the day and he took the salute as our
Junior Non-Commissioned Officer Cadre passed off
the square. During the parade, the Colonel of the
Regiment promoted the best student, Private Moor.
The finals of the football competition followed, with
the youth of C Company prevailing over the
experience and guile of the Warrant Officers and
Mastiff
Sergeants’ Mess. Throughout the day we were
delighted to host guests from Erskine Hospital’s
Edinburgh Home and to present them with a cheque on behalf of the Battalion. In the evening we were joined by the
General Officer Commanding 2nd Division, Major General David McDowell MBE, and guests from the Regimental
Associations of The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) and The King’s Own Scottish Borderers, for an inter-company
novices boxing final. Before the boxing started we paused to reflect on the history of The Royal Scots and remember
the fallen of our Regiment during 373 years of unbroken service to the Crown.
On 25th July we celebrated the glory of The King’s Own Scottish Borderers with a Minden Parade before our Royal
Colonel, HRH The Princess Royal, and a Families’ Open Day on our sports fields. The Royal Colonel presented roses and
took the salute on a very traditional parade before meeting retired members of the Regimental Associations of The
page 3

Borderers and The Royals.
She then met families for
coffee before taking lunch in
the Warrant Officers’ and
Sergeants’ Mess. In the
afternoon our families
enjoyed a fun fair and
displays of strength and
determination in Top Jock
and Tug o’ War
competitions. The weather
held until the last
competition had been
completed and then the skies
opened up with some
venom. It was a wonderful
day; a fine way to present
ourselves to our Royal
Colonel and a great way to
say ‘thank you’ to our
families for their support
Pte Valentine and Family meet HRH
over the past year.
Our other very distinguished visitor has been General Sir Richard Dannatt KCB CBE MC ADC Gen, the Chief of the
General Staff. CGS flew in to receive a brief on the progress the Battalion had made since its formation and to visit
Mastiff training. He met a cross section of all ranks, including some Jocks in the new Multi-Activity Contract café and
dining facility(Ed – to old soldiers – the cookhouse!). He was very interested to gauge the Jock’s views on our
forthcoming tour to Iraq and discussed with them some
options for the shape of the Army’s commitments over the
next few years. It was a great honour to host him.
As we took stock of our situation in August it was remarkable
to consider that we had achieved so much within a year of
forming. Most obviously, and measurably, the award of
‘CT4’ by Commander 4th Mechanized Brigade was a great
achievement. But the merging of 2 Battalions into one, the
re-location of soldiers and families from Omagh and from
Edinburgh to other Battalions in the Regiment, our success in
the Cambrian Patrol Competition of 2006, conversion to
Javelin, BOWMAN and Mastiff and visits from our Royal
Colonel, CGS, the Colonel Commandant and the Colonel of
the Regiment were very notable. We have also hosted the
retired communities of The Royals and The Borderers on a
number of occasions and our Pipe Band has competed with
CGS, CO and RSM – Lt Col Aitken in rear
success widely around the south of Scotland. On the sports
front we are the Army Rugby League 9s champions and were
semi-finalists in the Rugby Union 15s tournament and quarter-finalists in the 7s. We represent the new Regiment in
sports at the Combined Services, Army and Infantry levels and were runners up in the Infantry Ski Championships.
Our focus now is towards operations. We will deploy as a battle group to Iraq in November for a tour of duty that
seems destined to be characterized by change. It is impossible to predict accurately the nature and extent of that
change as I write these notes but I would be surprised if the shape of the Force remains constant during our
deployment. Anticipating a demanding tour, the Battalion is in strong shape. We have trained hard and will be ready
to meet any challenges.
The link to the past is extremely important to us. No one should be in any doubt about the passion with which we
cherish our history. It shapes us and defines who and what we are today. We know that those who have gone before
us, in The Royals and The Borderers, have set the standard and it is now our job to maintain and develop it. That
responsibility will be at the forefront of our minds when we are in Iraq. It is why we are so pleased and honoured to
host visitors from the retired communities of both Regiments and so grateful for the support we have received from
them over the past year. The history and traditions of The Royals and Borderers are alive in 1 SCOTS; they are
cherished and nurtured with the greatest respect by all ranks.
page 4

Regimental Association
Southern Section
The AGM of the Southern Branch was held in the MOD on Tuesday 13 March. Once again this was courtesy of
Colonel Finlay Maclean, our man at the centre of the spider’s web. The Chairman was busy enjoying himself
abroad so Finlay took the chair with Iain Johnstone, David Trafford-Roberts, Simon Barnetson, James Milne,
Tam Millar and Alan Dunn attending. Tam Millar was nominated as our man to attend the Association AGM in
Edinburgh on 27 April where the future form of the Association was agreed.
Southern Section Lunch
Our main event in this half of the year was our mid- year lunch held in Caroline and Finlay Maclean’s wonderful
garden in Somerset. With threatening weather around, they had very kindly erected a marquee. Our food team
headed by Caroline produced a wonderful spread. Verity Johnstone had changed from cakes to puddings this year
with Fiona Barnetson and Janet Cowan also doing their bit. Many thanks – it was all very much appreciated by the
48 members who attended. These included the intrepid Joyce Delacombe, fully recovered from a fall, and Ian Munro
whose energy seems to increase with his seniority. Iain Johnstone kindly stood in for our President, Philip Davies, who
sent in a story about a previous Royal Scot party in 1807 where the Commanding Officer of the day had spent a large
part of his annual entertainment allowance on a lunch for various ladies, dressed in their finery, whose origins and
connections to the Regiment seemed somewhat doubtful! Iain, for his part, gave us a fascinating talk on the
conditions being experienced by British troops in Afghanistan and Iraq – the latter soon to be the next posting for
the 1st Battalion, whose health we duly drank to the accompaniment of a cloud burst- so thank heavens for Finlay’s
preparations which preserved the finery of our 2007 ladies! The day concluded with a most successful fund raising
raffle splendidly organised by Tam Millar with prizes kindly donated by Home HQ, Piers Wedgwood and others.
Sadly, as is inevitable with an Association such as ours, some pass away and so it was with Leo Morey who died on
23 June having bravely faced increasing ill health over the past six months. He had been nobly supported by his
partner for the past nineteen years, Johanna Dolan. Leo joined the 7/9th Royal Scots in World War 2 and took part in
the operations to clear the Scheldt Estuary in 1944. Having served until 1948 in Germany and risen to the rank of
Sergeant, he retired into civilian life and joined the motor trade. Working for AEC he sold, with great success, buses
and other vehicles throughout the Middle East even meeting the bin Laden family in Saudi Arabia. He never forgot
his former comrades and for some years was our sole Regimental representative at the annual Cenotaph parade, a
leading member of the London branch and in 2004 attended the 60th Anniversary celebrations of the Scheldt
operations. His funeral was conducted by the Senior Chaplain from RAF Uxbridge, near to Leo’s home. RAF Uxbridge
also provided a piper and a trumpeter from the Central Band of the RAF- an excellent effort for which Johanna and
Leo’s many friends who were present were very grateful. We continue to recruit new members and even at Leo’s
funeral the Chairman met Mrs Valerie Fogg whose father was in the 2nd Battalion in Hong Kong in 1941 and thereafter
was incarcerated in a Japanese POW camp until 1945. She, hopefully, will be joining us- so if there are others reading
this account living south of the border and have made no contact yet please do so.
Looking to the future a very encouraging number of Royals from far and wide have indicated that they will be
marching with us down Whitehall past the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday this year. We shall indeed make it a
day to remember!
page 5

Visits to 1 SCOTS by Tommy Millar
After an early morning call at 05-30, I was up and catching a train to Folkestone Central from Basingstoke. There I
was met and driven to Lydd Camp where I was introduced to Captain Danny MacAllum and the RCMO Captain Bob
Stuart. They briefed me on the day’s events prior to meeting Maj Tom Perkins, WO2 Chris Collins (CSM) and the Jocks
of Rhine Coy. After a good blether with everyone, it was time to see some action. The first event was watching the
Jocks conducting Anti IED drills with the 23 Tonne MASTIFF vehicles. Captain Sandy Aitchison QM (Tech) then showed
me the vehicle in detail. The Jocks appreciated the better protection offered by the American built MASTIFF but also
remarked that it was slow and that there were Gun Turret and spares problems yet to overcome. There was then a
welcome from the CO, Lt. Col. Bob Bruce and RSM, WO1 Cliff McCauley. The CO briefed us on The Royal Scots and
Borderers merger. Why this had come about, how it has been successfully carried out and what has happened since.
Col Bruce also briefed us on the forthcoming OP TELIC 11 tour to Iraq.
Time then to sit in on the briefing of a 4 man patrol. We then made our way up to an Observation Post where CCTV
cameras were set up to watch every move the patrol made from the minute they set out into the mock up village and
roads of ‘Iraq’. From the OP, the lads could simulate Booby traps and Gunfire attack from Rifle Fired Grenade Explosions.
Throughout, the OP was in contact with the patrol telling them what was happening and asking them what were they
going to do about it. After the village patrol was over, it was back for a debriefing. All ranks were asked how they thought
the exercise had gone. Videotapes of the patrol actions were then discussed and constructive criticism was made. All
agreed however that the patrol had gone well and that the speed and professionalism of the Jocks had shown through.
It was then time to re-join Rhine Coy. We had Lunch in the field. Sausages, mash and sweet corn; apple for dessert
and a cup of coffee (No mess tins, unlike in my day!!) It was then time for another chat with all ranks in Rhine Coy
and to wish them all a safe and speedy return from Iraq.
The morale amongst all in 1 SCOTS was terrific. Furthermore all ranks spoke most highly of the CO. After meeting and
talking with him I can understand why he has kept lots of Royal Scots and KOSB traditions and managed to blend
them all together so successfully. Furthermore, 1 SCOTS is the only Battalion still at full strength and recruiting more
than are leaving. I attended Lydd Camp as an old Royal Scot and came away proud to be associated with 1 SCOTS.
Things change, and the only constant in life is change, however things certainly look bright for The 1st Battalion The
Royal Regiment of Scotland otherwise known as 1 SCOTS.
On Parade
On Sunday 10 June, a Service of Commemoration to mark the 150th
Anniversary of the Investiture of the Victoria Cross was held in Lichfield
Cathedral. The service was to honour the 58 VC recipients from
Staffordshire, South Cheshire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands that
includes Major Ronald Elcock VC MM of the 11th Battalion who received
the award for his bravery on 15 October 1918. Major Joe Brown, the
Standard Bearer party of the Association and Eddie Hanratty of the Pipe
Band, represented the Regiment. There was a very large crowd of
spectators assembled outside the Cathedral and, as is only right and
proper, The Royal Scots Association Union Flag led the combined parade
followed by the National Standards of The Royal British Legion, Scotland
and that of England.
Closer to home, a Service of Remembrance was held in Paisley Abbey on
26 June after the unveiling of a monument in Hawkhead Cemetery to the
Royal Scots to the front
5 Paisley men who have been
awarded the Victoria Cross; included in their number is Private Hugh McIver
VC MM of 2 RS, another of our WW1 award winners. Once again the
Association Standard Bearer party played a prominent part in the event.
The name of Corporal Robert Beveridge MM (12RS) who was killed in action in
1917 was never placed on his local war memorial. Now, ninety years after his
death, and thanks to the efforts of a social historian, Dr Sandbach, this wrong
has been righted. On 20 September a Memorial Service and unveiling
ceremony was held in St Nicholas Church, Uphall attended by about 20
members of the Association and our much travelled Standard Bearer Party.
This time the event was captured on film, as a documentary is being made
about Corporal Beveridge, though it is unclear when the film will appear.
page 6
Standard Bearer Party and E Hanratty

Young Royals by George J Mullholland
Some time ago I was approached (ambushed) by members of the Young Royals and asked to put my name forward
to become Chairman. Normally I would have jumped at the chance as the Royals have been my life since 1964 and
remain so to this day. However, as a carer to my wife Amy, and being in full time employment I needed time to think
about this. I then agreed to take over for a year and to take each year as it came. Now some 13 years later I feel it is
time for new blood to assume the responsibility and to allow me more time to devote to my wife and family.
Thirteen years as Chairman have flown past and this is due mainly to
the excellent committee members with whom I have been fortunate
to have worked. Without their dedication and enthusiasm I believe
that my time would have seemed like an eternity. I must make special
mention of Charlie McGrogan, Dougie Matthews and Tam Douglas the
secretaries who have worked with me over the years. I thank them for
making my life as Chairman so easy. It would take too long in these
notes to name and thank all the committee members who have
worked tirelessly to make the Young Royals as successful and as
strong as they are today. Thank them I do and I know that they will
continue with their sterling work in the years to come. It must be
remembered by all of us that the committee members are all
volunteers who give up a lot of their free time to attend meetings and
who make all of our functions so successful.
The Mulhollands and Hallidays
Over the years I have seen the Young Royals go from strength to strength and take on more responsibility within the
Royal Scots Association. We have moved from location to location in an endeavour to find the right venue for our
Annual Reunion due to our increase in numbers and the need for the right locality and catering.
We have also had the formation of the Association Pipes and Drums, the Murray Trophy Golf Competition, the Ladies
Welcome Night and more recently the Fishing Club.
The Young Royals were enthusiastic in the Save the Scottish Regiments Campaign - attending rallies/fundraising/
gathering signatures etc. Since then the Young Royals have been fully supportive of The Royal Regiment of Scotland
and to 1 SCOTS in particular.
I feel sad to have to give up as Chairman but am warmed by the fond memories I have of my tenure and with the
knowledge that the Young Royals will give my successor the same support that was given to me. To quote from Rikki
Fulton’s Autobiography – Is it that time already
We now look forward to future events such as – the Murray Trophy Golf Competition, the Ladies Welcome Night in the
WOs’ & Sgts’ Mess, Dinner Night, Regimental Association Gathering/Reunion and the AGM all to be held in the Royal
Scots Club. Sub Sections are also well ahead in the planning of their Christmas Functions. Details of all these events are
published in the Young Royals Monthly Newsletter, which is sent to all members (who have paid their annual fees).
Gone Fishing
Major General Phillip Davies generously donated £100 for the purchase of prizes for an Association Fly Fishing
Competition. The inaugural meeting was held on 10 May at Loch Rusky and the expedition was led by Neil McIvor.
The 10 participants who spanned five decades in the Regiment had a successful and enjoyable day. Sean Milligan,
after a half a dozen outings without luck, caught his first ever trout; Tam MacGregor won the Cup, Jake Johnstone
came second and Neil McIvor received the prize for the heaviest fish. More outings have followed and, if you are
interested in joining in, contact can be made through the Young Royals.
Association Pipe Band
After lengthy negotiations between the Band’s management team and officers of the Scottish Football Association,
the Band is once again performing before Scotland’s International matches at Hampden. The Band’s role, and public
exposure, at these events have been significantly increased with the addition of performances outside the ground
when the band is evenly divided and the parts play concurrently at different ends of the stadium to supporters as
they enter the turnstiles.
Under the leadership and tutelage of our new Pipe Major, James Boyd, formerly Pipe Major of the 1st Battalion The
Royal Scots, and ably supported by a newly returned Gordon Mackenzie, the Band has seen an upsurge in numbers
attending practices and an exciting new repertoire developed. Money has been invested in matched Shepherd
chanters and new reeds to further improve the quality of sound regularly produced by the Band and the purchase
has begun of Blue Patrol Jackets so that the Band has a formal mode of dress for high profile jobs.
page 7

In February 2007 the Band was approached to discover whether it would consider assuming responsibility for staging
a Piping Recital as part of The City of Edinburgh’s Ceilidh Culture Festival of Traditional Arts. A similar event had been
organised by The Highland Pipers’ Society as part of the same festival in 2006 but they had always regarded this as
a one-off to mark the Society’s Centenary. When Steve Byrne, the Festival’s driving force, asked whether the event
might be repeated, Band member Bob Lawson, the prime mover and organiser of the 2006 event, came to us. Despite
immense pressure of time, the Hepburn Suite at The Royal Scots Club was booked and four of the undoubtedly
biggest names in piping in Scotland were persuaded to participate: Willie McCallum, Murray Henderson, Iain Speirs
and Gary West. Favours were called in, friendships tested, and strings were pulled and in the end an incredible night
of the finest virtuoso piping heard in Edinburgh for a long time took place. Such was the reception for the event
among Edinburgh’s piping community that a repeat is already being planned for 2008 with the intention of making
The Royal Scots Association Pipe Band Invitation Charity Recital a regular event and an important date in Scotland’s
piping calendar.
It is an unfortunate fact that, such is the Band’s reputation and standing, invitations to perform at Tattoos and other
major public celebrations throughout the world far exceed the band’s current ability and financial resources. Among
invitations we have had to sadly decline have been The Virginia International Military Tattoo, Norfolk, Virginia, USA;
The Canadian International Military Tattoo, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; and the Christmas Street Celebrations in
Catania, Sicily. In each case it has been the prohibitive cost of air travel that has been the single reason for our having
to refuse the invitations.
Association Pipe Band in Italy
The bright spot, however, has been the Band’s recent trip to Genoa, Italy, as guests of Finmeccanica, the second
largest defence contractor in the UK and a major multinational company, whose President asked for a pipe band to
play at the 2007 celebrations and presentation ceremony held annually to reward employees attaining 45 years
service! Dinner at the Opera House in Genoa, prefaced by performances from a number of groups including part of
our Band, was followed by the full Band parading and playing the next day at the award presentation proper and
family day at Genoa Airport. Finmeccanica had arranged for the airfield to be filled with examples of the aircraft they
build, either totally or in part. There was a performance by the Italian Air Force’s equivalent of the Red Arrows and
their Army’s parachute display team. The Royal Scots Association Pipe Band featured in a musical programme that
also included leading Italian Military Bands. Band members were accommodated in a four star hotel on a full board
basis during their stay and travel was by scheduled Lufthansa flights from Edinburgh; all at the expense of our hosts.
On a more local level, but nonetheless important for all that, the Band was booked to entertain at this year’s Royal
Highland Show at Ingliston in June and at the Penrith Show, Cumbria, in July. The Band is very aware of the high
profile nature of the events in which we are involved, such as Genoa or providing the lone piper for a service marking
the 150th anniversary of the investiture of the Victoria Cross at Lichfield Cathedral in June, but we are confident that
if the standards of musicianship and deportment that signalled the Band’s highly acclaimed performances in Ystad
and Vitebsk are maintained, the reputation of the Band, the Association and the Regiment, is safe.
page 8

Domestic Occurrences
Deaths
AITCHISON:
On 5 July 2007, Robert Aitchison,
formerly 2nd Battalion (WWII),
Japanese POW and member of the
Regimental Association.
COMBE:
On 25 April 2007 in Kirknewton,
Willie Combe, formerly WO2
Chief Clerk of 1st Battalion.
CORNWALL
On 30 August 2007, Jim Cornwall,
Formerly 8th Battalion and Chairman
of 8th Battalion Section of the
Regimental Association.
FYVIE:
In April 2007 in Turriff, Ian Fyvie,
formerly 1 RS for 22 years (latterly as
dog handler and batman/driver).
GERRARD:
On 10 April 2007, in Vienna, Fritz Gerrard,
formerly 8th Battalion and member of
the Regimental Association.
LAYDEN:
On 13 August 2007, John Layden,
formerly 8th Battalion.
MACKAY:
On 16 July 2007, Anne Mackay,
widow of the late
Maj (QM) John Mackay MBE.
McCABE:
Suddenly in Benidorm in October 2007,
Jimmy McCabe, (son of ‘Bunty’ McCabe)
formerly 1st Battalion.
McGINTY:
On 15 August 2007 in Erskine Mains Home,
John McGinty, served in India and Malaysia
with The Royal Scots.
MOREY:
On 23 June 2007, Leo Morey,
formerly 7th/9th Battalion and member
of the Regimental Association.
MULLEN:
On 18 September 2007 in Perth, Sandy Orr,
formerly 8th Battalion and member of the
Regimental Association.
ORR:
In Cyprus suddenly on 17 August 2007,
Johnny Mullen, aged 71 yrs,
formerly 1st Battalion from 1957-59.
ROBERTSON:
On 11 October 2007 in Canada, after a long illness,
Peter Robertson, formerly 12th/2nd Battalion and
member of the Regimental Association.
SKELDING:
On 14 May 2007, aged 87, James Skelding,
formerly 1 RS (1939-45) and member of
the Regimental Association.
STARMER:
On 14 May 2007, Bill Starmer,
formerly 1 RS (1939-45) and member
of the Regimental Association.
WAGSTAFF:
Peacefully at home in Oxfordshire on
13 September 2007, aged 87, W W (Peter) Wagstaff,
formerly Major 1 RS and member of the
Regimental Association.
page 9

The Royal Scots Club
The Royal Scots Club continues to flourish and membership has now exceeded 1500, a target that we have been hoping
to reach for sometime. There is still capacity for us to take in more members and anybody reading this article who
knows someone who may enjoy a membership of the Club then please contact Janet Grant, our Membership Secretary,
who will happily forward a Membership Pack and application form on your behalf.
Remember also that whilst our links with the The Royal Scots Regimental Association and the Battalion, The Royal Scots
Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, are paramount, it is not necessary to be affiliated to either of
these to be a member of the Club. Our current membership is wide and varied and whilst most members of the Club
have a link to the military (be it Navy, Army or RAF) many do not, yet they still enjoy the wonderful facilities. So, if
you have a neighbour, work colleague or family member who may be interested in membership then do bring them
along to the Club, we will happily show them around.
Our year so far has seen much variety. In August over 200 members’ and their guests had High Tea in the Club before
going to see the Edinburgh Tattoo. Tickets for this annual members outing went on sale in the March newsletter and were
sold out in 48 hours! August also saw the Hepburn Suite transformed into a Festival Fringe venue with up to eight shows
a day, from Macbeth to children’s theatre, musicals to a hypnotist! In October the Club was proud to receive the Colours
of the 2nd Battalion and these are now on display in the members’ entrance in a new cabinet, opposite the Roll of Honour.
The members’ social programme continues to offer a wide selection of activities. By the time you read this we will have
had a Medieval Banquet, have heard from Sheriff Hook on his time in Colditz and be planning the St Andrews Night
Dinner when Lord George Foulkes will be the guest speaker. We will also be looking forward to hearing from Charles
Ritchie on Monday 10 December when he will be speaking about The Royal Scots in Radfan 1964-1965. Christmas
lunches, evening meals and party nights are also available in the Club throughout December; if you would like further
information then please contact Leila Arfa on 0131 556 4270.
We have recently been granted listed building consent to move reception to allow the creation of a disabled toilet on
the ground floor and to extend the current cocktail bar to create a small outdoor balcony area. Work on both these
projects should be underway by the time you receive this.
For further information about membership or any of the Club’s facilities then please do contact us:
The Royal Scots Club, 30 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh EH3 6QE. Tel: 0131 556 4270
info@royalscotsclub.com www.royalscotsclub.com www.mewscottage.com
page 10

Monument Unveiled
About 75 members of the Regimental
family gathered to witness Her Royal
Highness The Princess Royal unveil the
final additions to the Regimental
Monument in West Princes Street
Gardens on the afternoon of Wednesday
9 May. The work had been carried out
for us by Watson Stonecraft and
included the addition of the “GULF 1991”
Battle Honour, the updating of the
Battalion locations on the base course
and a stone plaque beneath the existing
one, the wording of which is:
On 28 March 2006, 373 years to the day
since King Charles 1 signed the warrant
to raise the Regiment, The Royal Scots
(The Royal Regiment) merged with the
other surviving Scottish Infantry
HRH unveils the plaque
Regiments to form The Royal Regiment
of Scotland. Our unbroken history and
service to Sovereign and Country lives on in the 1st Battalion of the new Regiment.
We also added a bronze plaque to commemorate the event and to mark the 23 years that Her Royal Highness
had been our Colonel-in-Chief. After meeting those who had been involved in the work and unveiling the stone
plaque, The Princess Royal talked to the majority of those gathered there.
End of an Era
CLF and GOC NI with other Royals; 1975
Op BANNER, the Army’s commitment to
Northern Ireland, came to an end on 31 July
after 38 years. During that time the 1st
Battalion carried out 11 emergency and 2
residential tours of duty; the first started in
March 1970 and the last ended in April 2002.
In addition, we have produced a
Commander Land Forces (Lt Gen Sir David
Young), a GOC (Lt Gen Sir Robert
Richardson), a Brigade Commander (Maj
Gen Mark Strudwick) and a Commander
UDR (Brig Charles Ritchie). At the height of
the troubles, in 1972, there were over 25,500
troops deployed (15 battalions in Belfast
alone) and 105 military bases; now there is a
peacetime Regular garrison of 5000 military
personnel in 10 bases, most of whom are
under command of HQ 19 (Light) Brigade.
On 3 August Lt Gen Sir Robert Richardson
attended, as a former Commander, the
parade to mark the end of HQ 39 (Infantry)
Brigade and the formation of 38 (Irish)
Brigade, made up of mostly Territorial
Army units
page 11

Calling all Golfers
I have been informed that Stewart Snedden,
formerly WO1 in the Regiment and subsequently
commissioned into the AAC has retired from the
Army and is now a part owner of Swanston Golf Club
here in Edinburgh. They have an 18 hole course and,
when construction is complete in early 2008,
a 9 hole short course, driving range and a state of
the art licensed clubhouse with fitness suite. For
more information try - www.swanstongolf.co.uk;
0131 445 2239 or Swanston Golf Ltd, 111 Swanston
Road, Edinburgh, EH10 7DS
Great Scottish Walk
The team from Home Headquarters completed their
12-mile walk around the streets of Edinburgh on
Sunday 10 June. We are most grateful to all those
who sponsored us and as a result we were able to
hand a cheque for £1951.05 to The Welfare Fund of
The Royal Regiment of Scotland plus an extra
£154.00 in later payments making a grand total of
£2095.95.
The team before the off
Keep in Touch
Please ensure that you keep us up to date with your
contact details:
Home Headquarters,
The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment),
The Castle, EDINBURGH EH1 2YT
Tel: 0131 310 5016
rhqrs@btconnect.com
www.theroyalscots.co.uk
Pontius Pilates’
Bodyguard
The third volume of our Regimental history is now
complete and you should have a flyer, including an
order form, with this Journal; if not please contact
Home Headquarters. If you missed out first time round
or are desperately seeking a Christmas present, we still
have available copies of Volumes 1 and 2 and Volume
3 would make a great stocking filler
Who is a Veteran
It was recently pointed out to me that all former
members of HM Armed Forces are Veterans; however
young we might think we are! Veterans – UK is the
organisation set up by the MOD to provide help and
advice to former soldiers; whatever your enquiry,
whether it be accessing your service records, finding
out entitlement to a War Pension, health concerns or
any other issue, the organisation is there to help. They
may not know all the answers but they will “know a
man who does.”
Freephone; 0800 169 2277 or go to
www.veterans-uk.info
The Veterans Badge was launched by the MOD in May
2004 as a visible recognition of a veteran and
eligibility has been extended to include those who
served up to 31 December 1994. To apply for a badge
call the Veterans Helpline on 0800 169 2277 or write to:
Veterans Badge Team
Service Personnel and Veterans Agency
Room 6108, Norcross
Thornton – Cleveleys
FY5 3WP
You will need to remember your Army Number, Service
Dates, National Insurance number and Date of Birth!
Scots Journal
Regimental Headquarters The Royal Regiment of
Scotland are publishing a Journal, in May and
November of each year, which covers the activities of
the 5 Regular Battalions, the 2 Territorial Battalions and
the Cadets; there is also Regimental information. In all
it is a magazine of about 170 pages and is available for
£12 a year. If you wish to receive a copy, contact us and
we will send you the necessary forms.