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| REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION AND ARMY NEWS | |
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Other and older news and event reports are on the Regimental Association Page (Click HERE) | |
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SEPTEMBER 2008 |
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Updated Sunday 7th September |
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Ian (Flip) Kerr
UPDATE 7th SEPTEMBER
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Highland Branch BBQ and Pipe Band Display
As always a great display by the band and a reasonably well attended BBQ (some 107 all in from as far afield as London, Edinburgh and Nottingham). Regrettably the weather (what happened Padre?) proved to be very wet indeed just as the band marched on. The food was excellent as was the chatter.
Thanks to all who made the effort to come - in some cases hundreds of miles - to attend.
Photos from Margaret Munro, Pat Gillespie and Sandy Dewar amongst others are here |
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Edinburgh Branch Cristmas Dance
Anyone interested in organising a bus to go visit our Lowland Comrades in Edinburgh at their Christmas Dance?
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REGIMENTAL NICKNAMES - ANOTHER UPDATE Major Dougie Shepherd has submitted a list of regimental nicknames which he used and heard during his time in the Seaforth and Queen's Own Highlanders, 1956-1993.
The updated list is here.
See how many you remember and email me with any others! J Thanks to all those who emailled with names - some real regimental history here!
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AUGUST 2008 |
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'The March to Kandahar: Roberts in Afghanistan'
The Seaforths, then the 72nd, among other regiments took part exactly 128 years ago in Lieutenant General Sir Frederick Roberts's famous march to Kandahar to avenge the defeat at Maiwand. I have written a book about this event soon to be published by Pen and Sword. Is it possible to mention the book to those interested in the history of Highland Regiments. (The 92nd, later the Gordons, took part also.) The book is called 'The March to Kandahar: Roberts in Afghanistan' and will appear in October, although on the Pen and Sword website it seems to be under 'November releases'. Its cost is £19.99.
I include below a brief publishers' extract about the book.
With good wishes and in hope, Yours sincerely, Rodney Atwood
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Ian (Flip) Kerr
Just got this from a friend of Flips in Berlin, Jim Robinson, thought you might like to know.
Pat Gillespie
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Kenny McSween ex BSM
For all band members out there just to let you know that Kenny is in Dr Gray's Hospital (Ward 7) West Road Elgin IV30. Spoke to Florence this morning Sat 30th and she says he is comfortable, any change will let you know a wee card would be nice, just to let him know we are thinking of him.
Jed Geddes |
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FLASH NOTICE:
BBQ
Transport - 1230hrs Elgin Town Hall on Sunday 31st August 2008. |
Western Front Association
The following may be of interest to any of your QO Cameron Highlander members / readers.
The Western Front Association are hosting a talk by Mr Terry Dean about a famous Cameron Highlander - Brigadier James Sandilands. Talk will take place on Saturday 20th September at 2.30pm in the Gallery of Elgin Library, Elgin, Moray.
Kind regards
Maurice Gibson Regimental Secretary Home HQ, The Highlanders (4 SCOTS)
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GG and Goody in Iraq - click thumbnail for full version |
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Singapore photo
Thought you would like to publish this photo of Queen's Own Highlanders married quarters Singapore 1962. Alistair MacPherson (mortars) with family and friends. Click thumbnail for full version |
Jock Houston
I have just been informed that Cpl Jock Houston passed away yesterday,He was in the Mortars in Osnabruck [the first time]Berlin, Sharjah and Edinburgh. He was demobbed in 1972 and lived in Kirkcaldy;this is all the info I have. If I receive anymore I shall pass it on (Danny Carruthers - Secretary Edinburgh Branch) UPDATE:
I have just been informed that the funeral will take place at Kirkcaldy Crematorium on Tuesday 2nd September at 11.45am.
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REGIMENTAL NICKNAMES Major Dougie Shepherd has submitted a list of regimental nicknames which he used and heard during his time in the Seaforth and Queens Own Highlanders, 1956-1993.
The list is here. See how many you remember and email me with any others! J
Additional names have been added - go see!
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LATEST: Website Visitors (Updated figures)
Just for information - this site has had 249,000 unique visitors so far this year. Currently around 1300 people are calling in EVERY DAY from as far as Australia and as near as Forres. Welcome!
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MESSAGE FROM THE REGULAR BATTALION:
GENERAL Hopefully this covers everyone; with so many constituent parts it would be easy to miss someone out!!!
The
pace of life is ever frantic and there is much change afoot within
Following the Commanding Officers’ return from
Numinayah and the deployment of 53 Bde to
Living with the 50 Bde MiTT is a Battalion MiTT with Major Toby Christie and WO2 Eddie Murray at the helm, which has to ‘commute’ to work to be with its designated Battalion. Further south and some way out of the city, Major Barry McMaster and WO2 Euan Philbin cover the third and final Battalion of the 50th Iraqi Brigade.
The
first to leave the COB, however, was actually the Special Operations Company
MiTT under Major Adrian Reilly and WO2 Tony
Ronaldson, now located just south of the COB in
Finally, we have a MiTT about to begin work in
arguably the poorest part of the city, the Hyaniyah.
This MiTT is headed up by Major
Jes Giles and WO2 ‘Shuggy’
MacInnes and will work under the command of a US
HQ. Waterloo Company under
Initial experiences of MiTTing have been very
satisfying. The Iraqi Army is keen to do business with us and is improving
daily. Its success on operations has given it a new-found confidence which
reflects the general optimism in
Living conditions are reasonably austere forward of the COB and deliberately so. Now is not the time to begin building large camps across the city so we operate with only the very basics forward. Solar showers, boil-in-the-bag rations and the intermittent burst of air conditioning in old warehouses are the norm. For most, that is eminently more pleasurable than being confined to the COB and it is amazing to see just how ingenuity can transform 2 square metres of concrete floor into a home from home.
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Further East, B
Company and the ‘omlettes’ (Operational
Monitoring and Liaison Teams) continue to perform in demanding
conditions in
B Company is now back
in
FALLINGBOSTEL
Finally, no SITREP would be complete without mention of the Rear Party back in Fallingbostel, holding the fort and performing equally important but often less glamorous tasks. All deployed members of the Battalion hugely appreciate the efforts being taken by all back there to keep us going out here and to make sure that life continues at home. The Welfare Office has been extremely busy and we all take great comfort in the knowledge that the families in Fallingbostel are making the most of our absence through an action-packed calendar of events. Without the continued support of all on Rear Party, things would be very different for those deployed.
S J GARMORY Captain Adjutant The Highlanders
4th
Battalion The Royal Regiment of
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Malaya Veterans - reception in Edinburgh
Here are some photos taken last night at a Malaysian reception for Veterans in Holyrood Park on 19th August. It was a fantastic evening.
Thanks to Margaret Munro for the pictures. |
Andy Cranston -70th birthday
Here are some taken last night (Fri 22nd) at Andy Cranston's "Surprise" 70th Birthday Party in Gorebridge. Most of the Q O Hldrs there hadn't seen Andy since Berlin!!
Thanks to Margaret Munro for the pictures.
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British Heart Foundation
I am doing a sponsored climb of Ben Nevis on the 27th Sept for The British Heart Foundation, having had by pass surgery in May 2008 I feel that this may be away of thanking BHF for the treatment and care I received. Would it be possible to add my link to the web?
Bill Jackson www.bill-jackson.com
Donations may be made using the link here http://www.justgiving.com/billjackson
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JENNIFER SQUAIR
UPDATE: On behalf of Graham, Margaret and families I would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support at this difficult time. Special thanks to everyone who attended the funeral of Jennifer, who was "Simply the Best"!
Regards
Entries from friends in the guestbook - click the link for the latest page.
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UPDATE: FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS SGT JON MATHEWS RRS
The Funeral arrangements are as follows;
Service; Tuesday August 12th at 11.30 hrs, Sacred Heart Catholic Kirk, Penicuik, (SE of Edinburgh). This will be followed at 13.00 by a commital at Morton Hall Crematorium, Edinburgh.
Everyone who wishes to attend is welcome and can attend the Reception in the WOs' & Sgts' Mess of The Royal Scots Borderers, 1 SCOTS at Dreghorn Barracks after the commital.
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Proposed visit to Northern Ireland
Details of a proposed visit to NI next year are here for download.
At the Regimental Association AGM the above was put forward by Tim Lewis, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Branch. Much of the history of the Queen’s Own Highlanders was dominated by service in Northern Ireland during difficult times. Indeed, many of our comrades were lost to the “Troubles”. It is too easy to forget the pride that we should take in the contribution that so many of us made to help lay the foundations of a stable and peaceful society. Whilst Northern Ireland has issues, it is a place that has experienced an overwhelmingly positive transformation in the last 15 years.
Next year, 2009, marks the 30th anniversary of the killing of Lt Col David Blair and L/Cpl Victor Macleod and 16 members of the Parachute Regiment at Narrow Water Warrenpoint. The Northern Ireland Branch proposes that this is a fitting time to hold a commemorative gathering in Northern Ireland. If interested let Branch Secretaries know soonest.
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A DEDICATED HOSPITAL WITHIN THE UK FOR SERVING MILITARY AND VETERANS
Care for the armed forces is worth signing up for – over to you! The Petition was up to 10,700 when we signed it – and there’s a deadline of 19th August to get signatures, so please act quickly and send it on to plenty of people.
I have been sent the following message . My understanding is that Selly Oak is good but it's just not able to deal with the numbers coming back. Like that outrageous business at Ashford where the NIMBY's tried to stop a Families Hostel near Headley Court , this seems to me to be one that the whole military family should get behind. As you will see below, time is short but it should still be possible to get some real numbers behind this one. If you feel able to help please sign up by visiting the link below, and also please pass it on.
Just some background, 2 Para alone have on this tour sent back over 50 casualties to the UK and from having been to Selly Oak myself I know that many cannot be accommodated so when all of the casualties from other battle groups are added to the figure, how is ONE ward in an NHS hospital going to cope? It cannot cope: the individual troops are sent home to recover relying on NHS visiting services which themselves are over committed.
A lot more names are needed for this petition and quite cynically, Downing Street has put a time limit of one month for this to be achieved.
Do what you can. Please petition to |
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Edinburgh Branch Newsletter - July 2008
The branch newsletter is here. It can be downloaded here.
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Military Band Reunion (members of the 1961 amalgamation band).
We met at Dusty Millers home in New Romney, Kent on Sat 21st June. Dusty and his wife Sheila provided the food and drink, enough to feed the whole military band. It was a fantastic day, lots of laughter and lots of stories, changed of course from what actually happened; thats what happens with the passing of the years, as we all know.
Talk about absent friends and wondering where they are now. If any members of the original band happen to read this and want to get in touch contact Willie Irving at wdi72@tiscali.co.uk.
Those in the photo are left to right standing - Butch Friell,Joe Russell, Michael O'Shaughnessy, Bruce MacKay, Willie Irving and Flash Elliot.
Seated; Alan McCrudden and Dusty Miller
Click thumbnail for full picture
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Previous month's news and event reports are on the Regimental Association Page (Click HERE) | |
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Friends of the Regimental Museum
A letter from Lt Col Bobby Towns is here. Please read the whole thing and action where necessary or if you can help the Museum in any way. One of the main points is:
"Regularly I read comments on the website of how rightly proud you all are to be members of the “Blue Mafia” and therefore, I was surprised to find this is not supported in the numbers that contribute to the running of this excellent facility by making a donation or subscription through the Friends of the Museum Scheme. Less than 5% of all those who served in the QO HLDRS have made or regularly make contributions. I would like to think this low percentage is because you don’t know about this appeal which has now been in place for some time and I would ask all who receive this communication, not only to consider a contribution, but in addition to play a part by passing it on to all QO HLDRS (and anyone else who you can persuade to contribute) in your address books"
[Direct Debit/donation form in pdf format is here] Please print off and return or pass a copy to anyone you know who might want one
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The Museum also needs help in other ways
Work Party
"When required I would like to have a number of QO HLDRS available to assist with this and therefore have in mind a database called the Fort George Fifty. I calculate that, based on past experience that this will be the number required (taking into consideration “Sick Chitties etc”) to support a Fatigue Party of 10 on any particular day! To volunteer your services please email me at bob@townssb.freeserve.co.uk simply adding Fort George Fifty and please include your address, Telephone Number and where possible Mobile Number. Please note that an NCO IC is not required!
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RESEARCHING ARMY ANCESTORS? | ||||||
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RESEARCH - SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Before you start any research on soldiers from World War One it might be worth visiting the 1914-1918 website for some useful advice from someone who has been down the research path.
Look at this website as well: National Archives (Army) as they have a guide to tracing your military ancestors. If you have a question about regimental history or are looking for photos etc - use the information request form here to contact Regimental Headquarters who will pass details to the Museum staff.
Details of most individual soldiers are not usually kept within the museum's archives. Very often, more information on individual soldiers are held at one of the following locations:
The National Archives (for Enquiries Pre-1920)
Note - during World War Two 60% of the service records from the First World War were lost or destroyed. |
World War One Soldiers' Documents
The Service Personnel & Veterans Agency (for Enquiries Post-1920)
Please try and add regimental numbers, units etc - as much detail as possible to help us help you. | |||||
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GUESTBOOK |
OTHER INFORMATION | |||||
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Please note:
Please check/sign the Guestbook - keep in touch! Lots of messages for you being left here! (Click Regular View at the bottom when you get to the entry page to see latest entries) |
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Other daily military news from MoD Oracle: Jobs for ex military personnel:
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Scots Guards Club Edinburgh
Members of the Queen's Own Highlanders
(Seaforth and Camerons) are welcome at the Scots Guards Association Club,
2 Clifton Terrace Haymarket Edinburgh Tel: 0131 337
1084
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The Malaya, Brunei and Borneo Veterans' Association (Scotland)
This association was inaugurated in Perth in September 2006 and currently has a membership approaching 200. Anyone interested in joining us application forms & information is available from
Bill Jackson 15 Glenalmond Terrace Perth PH2 0AU (Tel: 01738 639693) or email Bill_jackson@blueyonder.co.uk
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Last updated: Sunday 07 September 2008 19:51(ZULU) |