THE COVENANTER
buildings searching for the ejected case.
My last little memory is one I’ve never told
before for obvious reasons. I was working When I went into the Command Post (which
mobile patrols with my platoon out of the had a big heavy door with a thick fabric
old ex RoyalNavy buildings across from the curtain behind it) there sat two signallers
Crescent area and the notorious Tawahi on watch with earphones clamped on their
Police Station . It had been a long and heads. One was writing a letter and the other
difficult day made even more so as it was was reading a magazine. I asked if there was
the day Rfn McLaren was killed in a grenade any interesting radio traffic since the OP on
attack outside that very station and I had top of the Police Station at least should have
been closely involved being first on the heard the shot,but there was nothing.
scene as we were just across the Crescent
when the grenade exploded. It was about That’s how I got away with probably the
midnight when we were finally called to only careless, accidental discharge by a
stand down and once back in ( Canute Bks senior NCO during our little sojourn in
I think it was called ) I cleared the patrol Sunny Aden.
weapons, gave them their orders to be on
parade at 0500 and went round to check That then is a few of my little snapshots
that the drivers had plenty of fuel etc for the (there are a lot more but not the kind suitable
next day (old MT Sgt habits diehard). for publication in a respectable journal)
which would long have been consigned to
I had cleared my own Sterling SMG with the the dustbin of memory were it not for the
patrol Cpl by the usual method of removing welcome thump of the Covenanter on my
the magazine, drawing back the bolt to show doormat at the start of each year.
empty chamber and having him declare it
clear. As I walked back to the Command Post I would therefore like to take this opportunity
my Sterling was hanging from my shoulder to thank Major Leishman for his sterling
by its sling and the magazine in my hand. work in editing the magazine and keeping it
I lifted the gun pushed the magazine in going over all these years.
and pulled the sling back onto my shoulder. It has certainly played a great part in keeping
With a sound like the crack of doom the in us all in touch spread all over the country
the almost silent night the gun fired. The and the world as we are and reminding us of
round hit the wall to my right at an extreme the days when we were young and beautiful
angle ricocheted off; hit the high wall facing and the only regiment the British Army
me and went on up to strike something needed to stop the Red Army in its tracks.
metal on the roof of the building to my left
(I swear I saw the sparks) and went zinging Thanks are also due to Lt Col Mackay and
off skywards. Lt Col McBain for their work with the
I couldn’t believe what I’d done. I had Regimental Trust and Museum and Officers
forgotten to let the bolt forward after like Captain Farquharson who rarely fail
clearing to make safe. Just as bad I’d left the to turn up at Douglas each May and are
safety catch in the single shot position; but I prepared to give of their time and effort to
was sure I’d not touched the trigger. help with the Association.

I just stood there waiting for the Command It was a great pleasure to see so many of our
Post door to fly open and the whole place old officers at the final Conventicle and the
to go on full alert but nothing happened fortieth anniversary of the Disbandment this
except the driver I’d just been speaking to year. Their presence was greatly appreciated
came trotting round the corner and said by the Jocks.
“Hey Sarge did you hear a shot?”.
I replied “Well I heard something”. The Finally since this will be the last printing of
driver then says “That was a gunshot and it the Covenanter I would like to say that
was close”. So I then say “You’re right I better it was a privelege to be a Cameronian from
go and check in the Command Post if its 1955 to 68 and to serve with as fine a group
been reported”. The driver trotted happily of Officers, NCOs and Men as can be found
off to get some sleep probably pleased that in any Army.
I hadn’t decided to take him back out on
the streets to investigate, while I spent ten Best Wishes to You all.
minutes in the dark space between the two Jimmy Quinn.
57
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109